The Earning Power of Art Directors – Overview of Art Management

Art directors play a key role in every stage of the creation of an advertisement or ad campaign, from formulating concepts to supervising production. Ultimately, they are responsible for planning and overseeing the presentation of clients’ messages in print or on screen, that is, in books, magazines, newspapers, television commercials, posters, and packaging, as well as in Film and video and on the World Wide Web.

In publishing, art directors work with artists, photographers, and text editors to gain visual images and generate copy according to the marketing strategy. They are responsible for evaluating existing illustrations, determining presentation styles and techniques, hiring both staff and freelance talent, working with layouts, and preparing budgets.

In films, videos, and television commercials, art directors site the general observe of the visual elements and approve the props, costumes, and models. In addition, they are enthusiastic in casting, editing, and selecting the music. In film (motion pictures) and video, the art director is usually an experienced animator or computer/graphic arts designer who supervises the animators.

In sum, art directors are charged with selling to, informing, and educating consumers. They supervise both in-house and off-site staff, handle executive issues, and oversee the entire artistic production process. There are over 147,000 artists and art directors working in the United States.

The job title of art director can mean many different things, depending on the company at which the director is employed. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, a beginning art director or an art director working at a miniature firm can expect to make $31,890 or less per year in 2001, with experienced art directors working at larger companies earning more than $113,680. Median annual earnings for art directors employed in the advertising industry (the largest employer of salaried art directors) were $63,510 in 2000. The median annual earnings for art directors working in all industries were $56,880 in 2000. (Again, it is important to note that these positions are not entry level; beginning art directors have probably already accumulated several years of experience in the field for which they were paid far less.)

According to the American Institute of Graphic Arts’ Aquent Salary Survey 2002, the median salary for art directors was $60,000. Art directors in the 25th percentile earned $48,000 annually, while those in the 75th percentile made $75,000 per year. Most companies employing art directors offer insurance benefits, a retirement notion, and other incentives and bonuses.