Job Description
Art directors supervise big-picture design concerns for print or digital publications, advertising campaigns, and design firms. They create design concepts, review photographs and art, and other workers and design resources to ensure that the overall execution of a design is eye catching, appealing, and organized. Art directors usually begin their careers as entry-level artists in advertising, publishing, design, and motion picture production firms, working their way up the ranks after demonstrating artistic and leadership abilities.

Education
Some art schools offer coursework in art direction as part of their curricula. Depending on the scope of their responsibilities, some art directors also may pursue a degree in art administration, which teaches non-artistic skills such as project management and finance.

Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, art directors will see an increase in jobs in advertising due to demand for the overall vision they bring to a project. However, declining opportunities in publishing will hold down job growth. With many magazines moving to an online-only format, art directors are used less in this field.

Please see the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the most current salary and job outlook statistics.