Advertising Art Director

Advertising art directors, sometimes known as 'creative’s' are responsible for producing innovative concepts and ideas for advertising campaigns in all kinds of media, including: television, radio, posters, press, and direct mail.

They are also involved in internet advertising including viral marketing and micro sites such as You Tube or Face Book. Art directors work in partnership with a copywriter as a 'creative team' and focus on the visual look and feel of a campaign.
As part of this team an art director will work on a brief set by the client and will be involved at every stage of the production process. The role of an advertising art director will vary according to the agency they are employed by and the client brief.

Typical work activities may include: meeting with the account management team to discuss the client's requirements, gaining an understanding of the target audience and business that the advert is aimed at, working closely with the copywriter to generate creative ideas and concepts to fulfill the client's brief.

Meeting with the creative director before presenting ideas to clients, pitching ideas to clients, producing sketches or 'storyboards' (television) or 'roughs' or 'scamps' (print) to communicate ideas to the client, briefing other members of the creative team, commissioning photographers, artists or film-makers to work on projects.

Visiting and assessing different locations for potential shoots and working on location, attending meetings at production houses and with other directors, working in editing suites to oversee the finished product, advising new creative's, reviewing their books and managing new teams on placement with the agency.