Home » UpMarket

How to be an Art Director in the Advertising Industry - A Personal Experience of an Art Director in Singapore

fredtography by fredtography

How to be an Art Director - Sharing my experience with all aspiring Art Directors

I have been working as an art director in advertising companies in Singapore since 2006 and have been involved in projects from on a number of industries including retail, printing & imaging, consumer electronics, luxury products, just to name a few. I

wish to share my experience and journey through this lens on how to become an art director in the advertising industry. Hopefully, it will be helpful for those how want to be a Art Director in the future.

How to Land on a Art Director Job

From Designer to Art Director

Before I became an Art Director, I worked as a graphic designer in a few design houses and advertising agencies. Actually, my dream was really to be promoted to the position of an art director. But as years went by, I find that most companies in this industry do not really practise internal promotion.

Hence, I started sending resumes to some small and medium agencies that needed junior art directors.

Tips

If you do not have a portfolio of advertisements that you have done yet, try doing some mock ones.
Most creative directors are looking for interesting advertisement concepts in the portfoilo rather than stunning design work. Do mock ads that are creative to impress.

Market yourself during your interview.
Dress well. Sell your strengths.

If you get an offer, do your best. Get the experience and build your portfolio before going to the next better agency.

The Job of an Art Director

Concept development

The job of a art director is more focused on "concepts" rather than designs. You have to come out with ideas on all type of projects. Look at more resources and areas for ideas. Do not easily dismiss an idea as stupid. Good and clever ideas may get rejected at times. Don't feel down about it. Don't take it personal.

Time-line for each project is different. Depending how big your agency and its manpower, you may still need to do designing and layout. Nevertheless, your main role is to ensure the projects go on smoothly.

As a art director, you need to maintain a certain standard for your work. Keep yourself up to date with design styles, have an eye for details, develop a strong feel in typefaces and be a good problem-solver. Skills in leadership, marketing, communication will come in useful. Be a good team player.

Art Director Tools

Master your tools for success

Tools you will most likely be using as a art director.
Loading

Managing the Show as a Art Director

Running the Art Department

Managing the role of art directorWhen the "job brief" come in, you will have to manage them. You can expect some help from a copywriter, and sometimes designers or FA (Final Artwork) artists. You and the copywriter will brainstorm some concepts and present them to the creative director (if your company have one).

Follow the guidelines for the creative department. If everything is well, you will go to the visual stage. Manage the designers and artists and keep everyone on schedule. Encourage creativity and give praises. The ultimate objective is to do up something for the client for approval. If not the client is not happy with it, changes will have to be made.

This is known as the Pre-production stage.

Production in Progress

Photography, Video, TVC, Print, etc

ProductionThe final product can be a print ad, a mailer, a television commercial, a viral video, etc.

As an director, you have to look for photographer, illustrator, producer or talent (model or people appearing in the ads) when necessary. Looking for the right people for the job can be difficult at times. It is important to keep an eye on the budget and keep in mind the different aspects of project that have already been promised to the client.

During the shoot (television commercial or photography), let the photographer or the producer control the situation. Just make sure he/she delivers the stuffs you want. You have to oversee the whole process to ensure that everything goes smoothly from production, post production (video editing, color separation, retouching, digital imaging etc) to final delivery.

Final Word for Art directors-to-be

Take note

Working long hours is quite normal. Avoid getting yourself burnout. Think positively and know when to say "stop".

If you think advertising is not for you, you might want to try art directing in other industries like magazine, book publishing or in-house departments.

Last but not the least, good luck!

Impress your Interviewer / Creative Director

Portfolios for interviews

Fill your portfolio with your impressive work. You will need it for interview.

Wishing you success in your Interview!
Loading

Master the Art of Art Direction

Be prepared for your dream job

Books that are helpful in your career. Read more on the subject itself.
Loading

Recommendation

Loading

Useful Links in the Advertising Industry

D & AD awards blog
The blog of the famous awards.
Ads of the world
Showcases lots of impressive ads around the world. Update daily.
Creative Review
Website of a very famous magazine.

Show other you are a Art director!

I am creative hat I am creative hat by hofred_us

Buy Now

I am creative T-shirt I am creative T-shirt by hofred_us

Buy Now

I am creative shirt I am creative shirt by hofred_us

Buy Now

powered by Zazzle.com

New Guestbook

  • greatdomainnow Aug 25, 2010 @ 2:03 am | delete
    Hi,
    I am newbie too and thought I would check you out....nice lens..thumbs up.

    We must unite as ttveets said or we will all stay at the bottom and we have some good stuff so spread the love.
  • ttveets Aug 24, 2010 @ 12:43 pm | delete
    good lens and great use of the pictures...Hey I hope you don't mind I featured you on The Newbie Squid Group...
    Pay us a visit and share the love
    www.squidoo.com/the-newbie-squid-group
  • fredtography Aug 24, 2010 @ 8:18 pm | delete
    Hi ttveets, thanks for adding to your group. :)
Show All

This UpMarket page written by

fredtography

Hi, I'm hofred. An advertising art director living with my wife in Singapore. I enjoy digital photography, illustration, graphic arts, travel, movies... more »

Deluxe. Remarkable. Creative. Unusual. Successful. Upmarket businesses push the envelope -- does yours?

Connect with UpMarket

This author recommends...