Art director

The term art director, is an overall title for a variety of similar job functions in advertising, publishing, film and television, the Internet, and video games.

Publishing

In publishing, where the term originated, an art director organizes the pages of a magazine or newspaper and in consultation with an editor, choose or design accompanying pictures or graphics. Typically, this art director reports to the editor. At larger books or magazines, there are assistant and associate art directors that report to the art director. Many times a Design Director oversees the entire team.

Film

An art director, in the hierarchical structure of a film art department, works directly below the production designer, and above the set designer, but on the same level as the set decorator. A large part of their duties include the administrative aspects of the art department. They are responsible for assigning tasks to personnel, keeping track of the art department budget and scheduling, as well as overall quality control. They are often also a liaison to other departments; especially the construction department. In the past, the art director title was used to denote the head of the art department (hence the Academy Award for best Art Direction) however, the Art Directors' union felt that the title was becoming too diluted, as multiple art directors were appearing on a single show, negating the idea of one person responsible to the look of a show, and people started giving themselves the title without the approval of the union. As a result, the union decided to create the title of production designer, and created rules as to the use of the title, namely there can be only one production designer on a show, and the union must approve the use of the title. This has not translated to TV commercials, where the head of the art department is still called the art director.

Advertising

Art directors in advertising aren't necessarily the head of an art department although the title may suggest it. In modern advertising practice, they typically work in tandem with a copywriter. Together, the art director and copywriter work on a concept for commercials, print advertisements, and any other advertising medium. Individually, the art director is mostly responsible for the visual look and feel of the creative product, and the copywriter has ultimate responsibility for the product's verbal and textual content. Both are responsible for coming up with big, effective and persuasive ideas. Depending on the competencies of each, they may share tasks that are traditionally designated for one or the other, for instance, an art director may suggest certain wording and a copywriter may suggest a certain aesthetic for a project.

The art director/copywriter tandem is overseen by a creative director. Art directors may also oversee a team of junior designers or production artists.