become an art director

. . create my own worlds . . .

After graduating from art school I found it very difficult to find a specific job to apply for. I also resented that my studies focused on broader art and graphics and less on specific industries. In hindsight, I appreciate having the broader exposure! I have applied a little bit of everything from art production, graphic design, fine art, print, user interface design, marketing and communication (and even that interior design class I had to take in my 4th year) to my work.

I knew what industry I wanted to get into but my portfolio was too broad. My advice on portfolios: Focus on relevant work to the position you’re applying for. Like me, you may not want to be considered a “specialist”, sometimes you have to sell yourself as one. If you’re applying for an environment artist position, don’t show 10 minutes of character animations (especially if they’re not as good as your environment work). You can still bring up your other talents in the interview process.

I ended up working on a very specialized art field and built a reputation for being the “goto” person for this niche. It’s a field often overlooked by most and it’s made me more valuable to the company. I have been approached by several other companies to work for them at the same capacity. I could keep doing it and probably stay a big fish in a little pond for quite a while.

On the other hand, I have tried my best to show I am more of a generalist than a specialist. Of course everyone has their strengths in certain areas, but I didn’t want to get pigeonholed either. I really enjoy working with people, establishing a vision for the whole project, motivating them and making it work. I think I have a strong eye for visuals and I’m a good communicator.

Last year I was promoted to Senior Artist and became an “Art Lead” in my specialty. For the first time I had one other person working with me on the same specialty. Since then my team has grown to half a dozen people.

Being an art lead has been a very good experience and a necessary one. Sometimes it feels like lower middle management, but there’s still plenty of things to learn about managing your team, keeping people motivated, working with the Art Director on the style guides, working with multiple personalities and enabling them to succeed. I was a little nervous about leading a group of mostly senior artists almost twice my age. In hindsight, I consider it a blessing because they have been very easy to work with. Sometimes I had to prove myself – but once I did I earned their respect.

I still have to resist the urge to take too much of the art production into my own hands. It will spread you too thin, and being a leader isn’t about doing it all yourself. Some artists are more capable than others and you have to consider that for your expectations and priorities.

I also make a point to be the first one to work and the last one to leave on my team. To a fault, I probably spend too many evenings at work.

I have also been mentoring another artist in the field I was considered the “goto” person. My initial thought on doing this was that if he becomes the “goto” person I might be out of a job! On the other hand, how could I be promoted unless someone could take my place. I also take great pleasure knowing I recognized his talents and abilities and became a guide for him to “wow” our team. If I become Art Director one day, I want this new artist to be my “goto” person in that specialty.

I used to think the Art Director had almost exclusive ownership of the vision. I thought the Art Director was the person you showed your work to and they either approved it OR drew a big red X over it and walked away. On the contrary it seems the Art Director has to constantly fight for the vision, and sell the team and the company on it. The Art Director has to motivate others to take ownership of the vision. Even when everyone is motivated, the Art Director has to constantly make sure the art is consistent across the board. On top of that, the Art Director has to maintain a schedule for all the artists, meet with the producers to plan ahead, meet with upper management to make sure they’re happy with the progress and the vision. The Art Director has to be a master of communication and diplomacy. Unfortunately even Art Directors have bosses :(

I am also the art lead for two other teams now, and considered “proxy” when the Art Director is not available. I think a lot of my responsibilities are more aligned with being an Associate Art Director, but can be frustrating because it’s not official and thus sometimes kept out of the loop of decisions so when the Art Director is unavailable I don’t have all the information. I can’t complain though, considering I have only been working for a little under 3 years, I am very grateful to have managers that recognize my career goals and doing a lot to support me.

I have always found it difficult to find a specific label for what I do and want to do. Art Direction seems like the closest I have come to for a career goal.

Has anyone come across insightful books or material on being a good Art Director?

After thinking log and hard about what to do with my life, i have compiled all my skills and interests and am not absolutely obsessed with becoming an advertising Art Director. First step, Foundation Art & Design Diploma. I have been accepted on to a really good course, starting in september so watch this space people….im coming to get ya!

I’ve met a few people who’ve been art directors before even attending post secondary, so I think there’s hope for me getting a good job soonish. I’m positive that it’s possible, but at a loss as to where to start….

any ideas? seriously, if I should “put myself out there,” or something, where would I go about doing that, and so forth.

Please give suggestions!

Find a company that suite my needs or start my own!

yesterday i got an email from y&r, offering me a jr. art director position starting the monday after i graduate.

this is my biggest accomplishment… probably ever. i mean this is what 6 years of school was for. this is it.

...i’m still freakin’ out.