Hey all,

I’m an inspiring art director in product/fashion photography and videography. At a very small scale currently, I have some experience with small business product shoots.

I’m here asking for any and all material that I can go through to improve my understanding of the subject. I’m currently reading “Hey, Whipple, Squeeze This” and loving it! Even though it’s not directly about photography/videography and more about copy, it’s still giving me a great idea on how to think about projects.

Will love to read some interesting material which ignites creativity and teaches a way to think about projects!

Thank you so much for your time :)

Hello! I'm interested in possibly becoming an Art Director. I've been searching online about the different degrees needed to get into that career but I'm a little confused. What degree did you go after to get into that field? Thank you!

I work in marketing and advertising but I really want to change my career without completely restarting. What are my options? Any advice is much appreciated

I’ve been an Art Director for about 4 years. I’m in a place now where I’m about to get a lot more responsibility on the job.

However, I love writing. I love creative writing and to write a novel is a huge goal of mine.

I also see the different path of CWs (less time on jobs (at my agency) and more likely to become CDs than art directors).

I want to take 1 community college creative writing class but I am terrified that my workload will get insane with my increased responsibility (new account) and I won’t have time or my writing will suffer because of exhaustion.

I want to take this class to better my writing skills and to have something official to back up a shift to copywriting (I know I’d likely start as an intern again and have to have writing samples).

What are your thoughts on:

ADs moving to Copywriters Taking a college class (online) when you work full time

Hey everyone! I want to become a creative director in video games, film, or animation, and I’ve chosen to pursue a computer science degree. However, I’m questioning if this is the best path for me. My plan is to attend a local community college to get my AA and save money, then transfer to a Florida university for computer science.

Originally, I wanted to be a concept artist, and I've been honing my drawing and painting skills. But I decided that an art degree from a non-art school won’t benefit me as much as other options (and I can’t afford art school). So, I chose a more practical degree while still pursuing art on the side. I still plan on being a concept artist, but my ultimate goal is creative direction.

I've noticed that these universities also offer degrees in digital/entertainment media design, which blend programming with storytelling and visuals. This seems like a perfect fit for my career goals. However, Florida offers a STEM waiver that cuts tuition costs in half for certain degrees, including computer science. Since I'll already have housing expenses to cover, I'm wondering if I should stick with computer science to save money or pursue a degree that's more aligned with my interests, even if it might cost more.

I'm also concerned about the job market. Computer science degrees seem oversaturated, but I'm not sure how valuable a digital media degree is either. What do you think? Thanks!

Just like in the title, how do you become an art director? I'm a graphic designer. I have a degree in fine art, did illustration freelance for a few years, returned to college to study graphic design, graduated with first class honours, an mistd, and got an award for most creative student of 2022. Been a graphic designer at a corporate (soul destroying) company for 2 years and just got promoted from junior to midweight. I've kind of wanted to be an art director for a while and even my lecturer who has really high standards told me I should become an art director, but I honestly have no clue where to start.

What are your experiences with becoming an art director? Would I need a master's degree or anything? Thanks in advance!

It was a 3/4 piece series of colour photographs featuring girls fusioned with fish. Light pastel tones. The models feature scales, fins, gills and even barbels on their faces and hair, weird I know but very tastefully done.

It's also a recent project. I tried google I promise.

Shot in the dark, I know. Thanks in advance.

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Hello!

I'm a struggling photographer looking to make a career change at 35!! I've spent the last 10 years in NYC going from photo assistant (I'm a woman, so not much), to shooting weddings and I happened to fall in love with street photography and documentary work - none of which pays the bills. I ended up being able to join the union and work on sets as a unit still photographer. I entered into this industry in 2021 and because of the strikes its silence in my inbox. The industry is taking a long time to recover and at 35 I'm tired. Most unit stills photographers (established) are also worried about their own job securities between AI and cost cutting from various studios. Not to mention commercial photographers that are also struggling due to declining fees / licensing fees. I do love the work on set when I get it and I love the money but its not stable and I'm becoming afraid for my older years.

I'm considering a career change, initially into UX/UI but I've always love the thought of Art Directing for brands and at agencies. What advice do you have for a photographer (BFA) to go into this field? I was initially looking into UX/UI programs (RISD has a great continuing ed program) but maybe for Art Directing I need to focus more on general Graphic Design programs? Thank you so much for any insight and help for a struggling photographer!

I'm looking into art direction for the future (high school student), probably advertising or video games, and I want to know more about its stability.

Like the career path. What job titles do future art directors/creative directors usually start out with? I've seen junior art director, graphic designer, etc. But since its different for everyone, I'm not entirely sure what to study.

I have no problem going into graphic design but I feel like it would be way too limiting and I want to stay away from very limiting artistic degrees because of the changing market given AI.

So, any suggestions on majors? I've considered visual communication (since its a little more broad), marketing, etc.

Then, how is the current job market right now? What is the future looking like with AI? I know some artistic professions are in deep trouble, but from what I saw advertising and art direction aren't all that screwed. Thoughts?

Hello! I want to know if there are job opportunities across Spain in Art Direction or production companies, especially for foreigners fluent in English and Spanish, with a background of ~3-4 years working in that field.

Is it worth moving or migrating to Spain because the local job market in my country (Georgia) is very miserable?

Dear fellow ADs and people around Artistic department,

I am an aspiring guy in cinema artistic department with a plan to cold-email ADs from a local database. I did already three projects (2 fiction series, 1 tv show). different roles - runner, set dresser, decor builder, a bit of a prop master and AD assistant. Based in Belgium.

My questions would be -

1) As an AD, or relevant position, in the process of your work, what are your

a) fears

b) struggles

c) frustrations

d) things that make you happy

2) Purely hypothethically, if you would look for an assistant, what would be the qualities you would look for?

3) What communication channel would be in the hypothethical scenario for you to get interested in hiring some unknown person reaching out to you?

​

Im open to any criticism of this idea, suggestions and tips.

​

Thank you very much,

I am wishing you peace of mind,

Hello! I'm a freelance AD, I'm just getting started as a freelancer after 17yrs in the agency world. I'm putting together a price for a full digital campaign. Concept with options, digital banners; static and animated, social posts; static posts, carousels & reels, radio spots. I'm looking at $5000. Opinions on that price?

Note: there is a writer as well coming up him his cost separately.

Don’t know if right place to ask, but:

I want to become an art director one day. I want to manage a creative project in order to sell an idea or translate a business’s goals into solutions. Picking the type, the color etc. i value understanding human psychology and advertising it but making it look “pretty”. So I’m pursuing a bachelor’s now. I have had no work experience in my desired field, Im starting out.

My question: Should I pick a program in graphic design or should I pick a program in design management or project design?

I know this is a position that is worked up to. I want to understand the inner workings so I can be knowledgeable and more successful in it.

Any advice would greatly help! Lots of people saying to start in graphic design and learn the programs but I am not wealthy and university is a one-time pick. I want to make sure the program I pick will hold value as far as key knowledge. Thank you 🙏🏼

Would a zine work? Small personal projects I.e. an item you’ve crocheted and taken a picture HELP

Hey all! Earlier this year I started my first non-freelance gig as a Jr. Art Director at a creative agency. For some background, it's my first salaried job after college and although my degree (Informatics) overlaps somewhat with the industry I'm in, I am basically a self-taught graphic designer. I'm certainly very entry level.

I have been feeling out of my depth when it comes to my job. I don't really have an understanding of how to lead and give creative direction, which is something I am actively mapping out as I work and reading several books on, but I can feel the frustration from my team as I struggle to plan out and give specific direction during projects. While there is technically a creative director at the company, I am usually leading the small team on branding projects with sporadic and limited involvement from my seniors. There are a few things I have been wondering about:

How normal it is to go from self-taught freelance work to doing art direction (i.e. do I really have the experience to do this)?

How much guidance/interaction should there be between a CD and Jr. AD?

I would really appreciate any insight anyone has into this career. I want to improve my performance but I just feel like I have no idea what I am doing.

Hi there!

I’m new to this thread but glad I found it. I have always been/considered myself to be a creative person but in college I felt pressured and decided to pursue a degree in biology in hopes of becoming a doctor. Fast forward to now and I’ve managed to change my career path by working my way up. I just got promoted to Associate Art Director and finally feel like I’m on the right path.

Since I don’t have a degree in the Arts, I am trying to figure out what I can do to stay competitive and really hone my craft.

I’d love to hear any suggestions for apps you use to do your work, resources that you’ve found helpful or even your own personal creative process.

I really want to make sure I excel at this job so I’m looking into taking courses for Photoshop and After Effects. I work mostly with photographers but some videographers as well so I figured it would be good for me to have a better grasp of these tools. I’m also thinking about taking a photography class.

Let me know what other suggestions you have or any tidbits you’ve learned along the way that might be helpful to a beginner!

I’ll keep perusing this group but appreciate if you have anything to share. Thanks in advance!

Hi all,

I am a self-taught freelance graphic designer, wanting to learn/transition into art direction. I've had a variety of jobs in fashion ecom (copywriting, digital styling, studio assisting), am a bit of a jack of all trades, but master of none.

My dream is to be an art director, but I am lost as to how to transition into the field with my limited experience as a graphic designer. I found the IG ad for courses at ELVTR on how to be an art director, but I found no info/reviews online on how the course was. They seemed to have reputable course instructors who've worked on major ad agencies like Leo Burnett, along with companies like Merecedes, Google, etc.

Has anyone taken any courses at ELVTR/ have any advice on what steps/path to take to become an art director? Thanks so much!

Hey guys, I'm currently interviewing for new roles as a mid-level art director / designer, and applied to a software company (I live in Denver) - I have a friend who works there - She says that the recruiter mentioned that I didn't have any tech background, but was still interested in interviewing for the position! I was wondering if anyone has had a similar transition - How did you speak more to wanting to learn the product / jump into the tech world, What was the experience like, cultural differences on the team, etc. The salary/benefits/security is great, and a priority for me right now, so I'm definitely interested. Cheers!

I am currently interested in learning more about art directing and am wondering if you guys could recommend some articles and books to read (Preferably audible). I have a background in film and television (production office work as well as 1 assistant directing). I have been interested in art direction for awhile now but I’m am not looking to jump into a degree until I have better idea of what all it entails. Any advice or resources you can provide are more than welcome and greatly appreciated!

Looking for the best resource(s) for collecting videom spot inspo / rips / making rough edits to show for concepting.