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Arts, Design, Media, and Sports

Art Directors

Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. Direct workers engaged in artwork or layout design.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Art Directors
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Median pay

$111,040
Median annual pay for Art Directors.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

4.2%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

12,300
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

135,000
Estimated U.S. employment for Art Directors in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+5,700
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

Bachelor's degree
Typical additional preparation: 5 years or more of related work experience.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Speaking
  3. 3Critical Thinking
  4. 4Reading Comprehension
  5. 5Writing
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Design
  2. 2English Language
  3. 3Computers and Electronics
  4. 4Fine Arts
  5. 5Communications and Media
  6. 6Sales and Marketing

Abilities

  1. 1Fluency of Ideas
  2. 2Originality
  3. 3Near Vision
  4. 4Oral Comprehension
  5. 5Oral Expression
  6. 6Written Comprehension

Career interests

  1. 1Artistic
  2. 2Enterprising
  3. 3Conventional
  4. 4Realistic
  5. 5Social
  6. 6Investigative

Work styles

  1. 1Innovation
  2. 2Leadership Orientation
  3. 3Adaptability
  4. 4Self-Confidence
  5. 5Dependability
  6. 6Achievement Orientation

Work activities

  1. 1Thinking Creatively
  2. 2Working with Computers
  3. 3Getting Information
  4. 4Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  5. 5Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  6. 6Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Work context

  1. 1Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  2. 2Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
  3. 3Spend Time Sitting
  4. 4Time Pressure
  5. 5E-Mail
  6. 6Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

Representative tasks

  • Work with creative directors to develop design solutions.
  • Present final layouts to clients for approval.
  • Manage own accounts and projects, working within budget and scheduling requirements.
  • Confer with creative, art, copywriting, or production department heads to discuss client requirements and presentation concepts and to coordinate creative activities.
  • Confer with clients to determine objectives, budget, background information, and presentation approaches, styles, and techniques.
  • Formulate basic layout design or presentation approach and specify material details, such as style and size of type, photographs, graphics, animation, video, and sound.
  • Review and approve art materials, copy materials, and proofs of printed copy developed by staff members.
  • Create custom illustrations or other graphic elements.

Software and tools

Adobe InDesign · in demandAdobe After Effects · in demandAdobe Creative Cloud software · in demandFigma · in demandMicrosoft PowerPoint · in demandAdobe Illustrator · in demandMicrosoft Office software · in demandAdobe Photoshop · in demandCascading style sheets CSS · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyAdobe Acrobat · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technology

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.