AboutPeter Gabany Expertise Strategic planning:
Objective based advertising, Ad creative, Writing, Photography - buying and making, Illustration - buying, Print, Outdoor, Event, Media, Media Planning, Broadcast, How to select an agency, What the client must provide, Pitching a client / being pitched
Experience Over 25 years in the business - 22 years operating an agency. Creative direction and agency management.
Question Hi. Do ad agencies usually look for people with design degrees to fill art director positions? Or, could someone who has taken design courses be considered too? Thanks
Answer A degree is always helpful but no, not necessary - especially if you are stellar at your work. A great, innovative, creative portfolio with a strong knowledge base in on-line application development, print production, broadcast production, etc will get you looked at over others but this takes experience. If you are a great writer and even better graphic designer then this combination has its place as well.
If you have a design diploma from a recognized school - say Rhode Island School of Art and Design or University of Texas Advertising and Public Relations then it may be easy to attend for an additional year to get your degree. This leaves you best prepared for a position with leading design agencies, ad agencies, PR firms, online firms and the like.
