Art Directors - advice
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- derek20050
Alison,
have you tried freelance design/photography? (i assume you did it before your current jobs...?)
- orangemorning0
I try, but i'm in a terrible location for that at the moment. I need clients is all. Let me rephrase clients that understand that design and photography is not FREE! I can't give up the day job just yet.
- orangemorning0
with the 2nd job though at the bar, finding clients is much easier. I can network while working.
- spendogg0
BTW - Titles dont mean shit, if your salary reflects it good for you - if not you must strive for more, dont let the title thing go to your head or keep you down, it is not worth it. The more you can learn from other creatives the better - there are many different processes, learn as many as you can.
When I was coming up in the design world, a few of my first art directors were super old school and couldn't execute like i could, some wouldnt even use a computer. That always pissed me off - when they would tell me to do something that they couldn't do themselvs - I never wanted to be that guy. But then when i got to work with some great talent - it changed everything.
work with everyone you can - good and bad.
- fake_it_up0
21 now... started when i was 17 right out of highschool
- kitson0
ADs ACDs CDs and Producer positions require a lot more than a good eye. So, don't get it twisted.
A lot of designers don't end up wanting that responsibility once they get there and see what it's all about. Being an AD at most firms doesn't mean just deciding what looks pretty. You become the face of a company. You have to come up with big concept ideation on the spot that makes sense without sounding like an asshole. You're thrown into social situations with million dollar clients, and if you fuck up, people can lose their jobs in an instant.
There's also a lot of politics involved. Sending out an email to a client with even the wrong tone can make them walk. You have to remember names of people you may not particularly like, their work history, where you met them and when, and keeping that all straight on top of your work schedule and employees... It's a lot more than a lot of people think, and not many can do it well.
It takes a bit longer and an uphill battle to get there at a bigger firm like Chiat or Deutsch, but, the salaries definitely reflect all the hard work. I would never suggest running in that direction without putting in your time and observing how things go down.
Smaller firms give you a lot more responsibility and client contact earlier on out of necessity. It's a great way to build relationships with bigger clients who farm out some of their work to smaller studios, who will support you in your transition over to a big agency AD when you're ready. There is a small community of people who know everyone in the boutique agency microcosm. And, you're only 1 or 2 people removed from many of the small firms around the states (if you want to work in the states). So, it's important not to fuck up, even though it's not a big agency. You could go this route, but when you're ready to make the jump to big agency, know that the game is going to change up dramatically and you have to stay on your toes.
I started really working when I was 17.
- kitson0
I believe most people here work at small to mid sized agencies.
Titles get mangled and blurred in situations like that. But, it's all about the experience and portfolio in the end. You can sell yourself as anything you feel you really are at that point... if you can proove it.
- Luckypp0
Titles I agree are not all that important, but the way that you conduct yourself is. The design community is really a small one, and the behavior you exhibit will trail you for a long time.
Often longer than the work that you do.
- jevad0
Always learning...from the other AD here to the CD..both of whom I have crazy respect for...do we ever really stop learning?
- fake_it_up0
i agree i learn new stuff everyday i learn alot from the designers and production people and i also agree that titles get blured from studio to studio... im a AD where i am i mite be a sr designer or designer at another studio... al depends on where you are....
- gabe0
17 - 22
designer - sr designer - art director
- dirtydesign0
Depends what industry you're in too. I've been in promotions for 3 years. Started as an associate AD, now an AD, soon to be a Senior AD. AD in the promos industry is another term for designer i think.
27 years old.
- Mimio0
1) Find a busy agency
2) Hire in at some level
3) Find and support the fast moving talented teams of people (Senior ADs)
3) Assist in account managing projects
4) Assist in client aquisition work
5) Earn more responsibility
6) Take the next vacany as an AD
- e_b_c0
designer-> bike mechanic-> pizza monkey-> bike messenger-> designer-> AD
19-26
I had more responsibility at 19 as a designer than i do now as an AD. Titles are for the benefit of the client. I've always worked in small firms. In my experience, most of the responsibilities are shared. Especially when its busy.
I know. That's not advice.
- jevad0
hey evan - where are you an AD at?
- in8_v40
Eat. Sleep. And Breath Design. Work hard, pay your dues doing junior designer crap, production work is crucial to getting your chops to a place where you can deliver design under pressure. Try to constantly push yourself to do bigger and better projects. Over time your hard work should get noticed. If you're under a talented or intelligent creative director, they will guide you along the path to climing the design career ladder.
More than anything stay passionate and keep a keen attention to detail.
Also, you have to take time to learn the business and client relationship side of design and how that plays into the business of graphic design.
- MrDinky0
i work for a 3 men shop. My self, Mr Dinky and Mr Winky
- jevad0
what about Zinky?
- barbara0
rule with an iron fist.
- ArtDirector0
I started after art school at age 22
-Junior Production Artist
-Junior Designer
-Prepress (Moved to NYC a month before 9/11 so things were very dry)
-Graphic Designer
-Art Director (present)I became an Art Director by applying for a job in the NYTimes.