Art Director Forever?
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- Raybandana
Curious what everyone thinks — is it realistic to stay a Senior Art Director in ad agencies long-term, or does the industry eventually expect you to move into a CD role?
- canoe0
Not industry so much as company. You can art direct as long as you want as long as the agency is fine with it. I know Art Directors 10 years older than me.
- _niko0
could be, but more often CD's are copywriters I think
- bainbridge1
Titles mean very little. I was once a Senior Designer at a company, and literally the only designer, no one above or below. Also worked with a couple once and the wife's title was "Vice President" in all her email footers, but it was just her and her husband.
Many offices are happy to let you call yourself what you want, as long as you don't ask for more money.
Do you like your role or are you looking to lead more?
- <- SMB level.sted
- Titles mean plenty at big agencies...canoe
- They were making a dig at your age with "Senior"cherub
- For me its more of an age thing, I would rather art direct, but will they keep me on until im 65?Raybandana
- Morning_star3
I’ve wrestled with this question for at least a decade now. For me it comes down to this: I love the craft, the concept work, the visualisation and where possible the execution. The more I can do that the happier I am.
I was promoted some years ago from SrAD to Creative Head which essentially meant I had teams of Art Directors and Copywriters reporting to me. Some of them have 20+ yrs in their positions and are very happy too. 25% of my time was spent on fucking admin bullshit, personal development plans, salary negotiations and a bunch of other shit it hate. There was more meetings about things that weren’t creative . There was also the expectation to get closer to clients, sometimes enjoyable sometime torturous.
Last week I was asked to apply for a CD position and I don’t know if I want it. It’ll mean much less hands on craft and creativity, more strategy, overseeing and involvement with clients. There’s more money but less of the stuff I love.
In the end it all depends on your motivations, but there’s something to be said about the happiness you get from doing what you love.- +1 the Goldilocks zonemort_
- absolutely_niko
- I really want to go full CD, but I'm not sure I'm cut out for so much of the client relations business stuff, even if they tell me I am.monospaced
- Gotta play nice mono. But yea its a grind for those who aren't wired for it.Raybandana
- It’s not a matter of nice. For me it’s the burden of being in charge.monospaced
- Raybandana0
Yea good advice and stories from ya'll. I just worry If I dont move into a CD role, i will be aged out of the agency world. Or maybe Im just trippin. 65 year old art director ??
- bainbridge0
Do you want to design or manage people and present to clients?
Some things are natural progression, some are a choice.
If you're good and feel that you're paid fairly, you're fine.
If you don't want someone younger to be come in and be your boss, maybe you should be CD though.
- Yea thats the itch for me. But I think thats just a battle with your ego, let others lead, its just work.Raybandana