An art director ensures that the team’s creative efforts adhere to the brand’s guidelines and exceed client expectations. Intense training is required for this role, hence the need to enrol in any of the best art director colleges.
An art director creates and upholds a creative vision that appeals to a reader, viewer, or user. Usually, they oversee teams of designers who engage in imaginative tasks like graphic design, marketing, and film and television advertising for commercials, publications, movies, TV shows, websites, or other things.
If you have always cherished the idea of earning a living by beautifying and artistically captivating the minds of people around you, then aspiring to be an art director is in order.
This article gathers valuable information concerning your dream career, including steps you would need to take to become an art director, the top ten art director colleges you should consider, and your budget. Let’s get into it!
Table of contents
An Art Director or Creative Director?
If you’ve done any research since you got the desire to pursue a creative career, you would have come across two positions that appear to be highly similar: creative director and art director.
Both positions sound like roles enabling you to use your creative abilities meaningfully. And you are correct to think so. The duties are similar in specific settings, like in smaller agencies.
But there still exist differences in the responsibilities of art directors and creative directors. Finding out their primary duties and how they differ might help you determine which creative roles best fit you.
, a creative director usually pitches creative ideas to other people and is the driving force behind all innovative operations. In contrast, an art director, on the other hand, is more interested in art, visual details, and practical knowledge.
If you enjoy developing concepts and convincing important stakeholders of their value, then being a creative director will satisfy you. However, if you prefer the hands-on labor of putting your notions into action, becoming an art director will be the better choice.
You can decide between the two later, though. This path to a creative career starts with education. When you must have enrolled in any of the best art director colleges and gotten the technical abilities and fundamental understanding of design, visual communication, and more, you will have more tools to choose between the highly sought-after creative positions.
How to Become an Art Director
There are a few crucial measures you must take if you want to become an art director. The steps are as follows.
#1. Subject Options
· You can choose from various courses to become an art director. You can study art direction at the 10+2 level in any field (science, arts, or business).
- After completing the 10+2 requirement, you can select an undergraduate degree or diploma program in graphic design or fine arts.
- For those interested, you can check several certificate programs online.
- You can also select a six- to one-year-long certificate program in graphic design and visual arts.
#2. Preparation for Entrance Exams
Students need to take an admission exam to enroll in the courses at art director colleges. You must diligently study and practice the previous year’s questions to pass the test.
#3. Choose Colleges
- If you want to major in graphic design or fine arts, choose any reputable art director college or school with strong academic standards and a placement cell after passing the 10+2 test.
- Many art director colleges in the US offer graphic design and visual art studies at the Diploma, Undergraduate, Graduate, and Doctoral levels. This article will list some of these colleges.
#4. Post-qualifying exam
- The examination authorities will contact you to arrange a personal interview and document verification when you pass the entrance tests. You may now apply for admission to the relevant department.
Usually, most art directors have five or more years of professional experience. And at least a bachelor of arts or fine arts degree in art or design from among art director colleges or any other college of a close relationship.
Depending on their field, designers may have held positions as set designers, industrial designers, illustrators, copy editors, graphic designers, or photographers before becoming art directors.
Creating a portfolio, a collection of an artist’s work showcasing their styles and skills is crucial. Managers, clients, and other parties look at the designer’s portfolio when considering whether to recruit them or hire them on a contract.
Which Courses Should Art Directors Take?
The training programs for becoming an art director are available at the diploma, certificate, undergraduate, graduate, and Ph.D. levels. The most popular courses that students select each year at art director colleges are briefly summarized here:
- Bachelor of Visual Arts
After completing the 10+2 grade, students may pursue a 4-year full-time undergraduate degree in visual arts.
This course’s primary topics are layout design, video and film production, painting, sculpture, and drawing.
To be admitted to this course, the higher secondary examinations (HSC) must be passed with a minimum of 45% to 55% of the possible points.
- BSc in Graphic Designing
A full-time degree program, “BSc in Graphic Designing,” focuses on creating visual elements for packaging, advertising, and other commercial enterprises.
Admission is based on merit, although some universities also use the results of entrance exams like the NID DAT to narrow the applicant pool.
- Diploma in Graphic Design and Creative Media
The one-year diploma program in graphic design and creative media focuses on designing and creating artwork and photos for multimedia and gaming applications.
The sole criterion for admission is a candidate’s merit score in their previous qualifying exams or 10+2 board examinations.
- BA in Fine Arts
The Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts (BA FA) is an introductory degree program encompassing aesthetics, photography and art, calligraphy, illustration of designs and pictures, architecture and the visual arts, and ceramics and molds.
A combination of merit and entrance exams determines this course’s admission. Any student from any stream who earned at least 55% on their 10+2 exam qualifies for the entrance exams.
- Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design
After earning a UG degree in graphic design, one can pursue the 2-year Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design program.
In this course, students will learn the techniques needed in fine arts and graphic design, such as crafting, designing, critical thinking, contemporary design discourse, etc.
Admissions are made based on an admission exam and merit. The exams are given at the state, university, and national levels.
Students who have completed a fine arts undergraduate degree can enroll in this course.
Top 10 Art Director Colleges
Here is a compiled list of 10 art director colleges that offer the necessary courses that open up the opportunity for you to be an art director.
#1. Harvard University
Harvard is not just one of the best art director colleges; it is the best! An intensive week-long introduction to the arts at Harvard is provided through FAP.
The program is run by Dana Knox and Dara Badon with support from a group of undergraduate proctors and is produced by the Office for the Arts in collaboration with the Dean of Students Office.
The curriculum has two parts. In addition to social gatherings and tours of the campus’s creative venues, the first few days are devoted to seminars and master classes with professional resident artists from seven disciplines: Creative Writing, Dance, Drama, Film, Music, Studio Arts, and Theater Design.
Harvard University is a private University established in 1636. It is located in an urban environment on a 5,076-acre campus.
With a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,153 students (fall 2021). The academic calendar is based on semesters. The Best Colleges ranking for 2022–2024 places Harvard University third among National Universities. The total cost of the school is $57,261. The university has an acceptance rate of 4%.
#2. Duke University
In Durham, North Carolina, Duke University is renowned for its outstanding academic programs and cutting-edge research. It is one of the great art director colleges.
At Duke University, more than 50 majors and 52 minors are available throughout 10 schools and colleges, giving students a wide range of academic options.
Duke University’s acceptance rate is roughly 8%, and its admissions process is tough. To increase their probability of selection, students are advised to submit GPA values of 3.7/4 (92%) or higher.
The institution chose more than 16,500 students—including 24.07% overseas students—for Spring 2022. Duke University admits 9% of applicants to undergraduate and 26% to graduate programs.
Read Also: Is Duke an Ivy League School? All You Need To Know in 2024
#3. University of Pennsylvania
You’ll find a community of creatives who share your interests at Penn College. Whether through technical trades or visual design, they embrace innovation, investigate new viewpoints, and create the future.
Penn College is among the reputable art director colleges. The private university University of Pennsylvania was established in 1740.
The campus is 299 acres in size, has a total undergraduate enrolment of 9,962 (fall 2021), and is located in an urban area. The academic calendar is based on semesters.
The University of Pennsylvania is ranked #7 among National Universities in the 2022–2024 edition of Best Colleges. The total cost of attendance is $63,452, and the college has an acceptance rate of 6%.
#4. Northwestern University
The art department here holds that the theory and practice of art are inseparably linked. The study of art entails acquiring knowledge of visual thinking and the histories, problems, and ideas that impact the direction and function of the visual arts in contemporary culture.
Regardless of a student’s major field of study, most of our courses are created to benefit all of them. Around 40–60 undergraduate art majors and 30–plus art minors are enrolled in A, T, and P’s programs yearly, while 1,000 non-majors and children attend their courses.
Northwestern University is a private University established in 1851. Its campus is 231 acres in size, has a total undergraduate enrolment of 8,494 (fall 2021), and is located in a suburban area.
Northwestern University uses a quarter-based academic calendar. The 2022–2024 edition of Best Colleges places Northwestern University at #10 among National Universities. The total cost of attendance is $63,468. The college has an acceptance rate of 7%.
#5. Carnegie Mellon University
At Carnegie Mellon University, a core faculty of four highly active artists oversees the MFA program and offers students vital oversight and academic assistance through one-on-one counseling, mentoring, and studio visits.
Graduate students collaborate closely each semester with extra academic advisors of their choice from the entire and core faculty.
Carnegie Mellon University is a private institution established in 1900. Its campus is 157 acres in size, has a total undergraduate enrolment of 7,365 (fall 2021), and is located in an urban area.
The academic calendar is based on semesters. National Universities, where Carnegie Mellon University is ranked at number 22 in the 2022–2024 edition of Best Colleges. The cost of tuition and fees is $61,344. The college has an acceptance rate of 14%.
#6. University of Southern Califonia
Unique among its peers, the University of Southern California offers an exceptional selection of art schools in a research university atmosphere.
USC’s six art colleges, including the USC Fisher Museum and the USC Pacific Asia Museum, produce various recitals, concerts, exhibitions, screenings, and lectures year-round.
The private university University of Southern California was established in 1880. It is located in an urban area with a 226-acre campus, and 20,790 undergraduate students are enrolled there (fall 2021).
The academic calendar is based on semesters. The University of Southern California is ranked #25 in National Universities in the Best Colleges 2022–2024 edition. It’s $64,726 in tuition and fees. The college has an acceptance rate of 13%.
#7. University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin offers a complete program that fully equips you to be a competent art director. Like the best art director colleges mentioned in this article, you will be exposed to practical sessions.
The public university of Texas at Austin was established in 1883. Its campus spans 431 acres, has a total undergraduate enrolment of 40,916 (fall 2021), and is located in an urban area. The academic calendar is based on semesters.
The University of Texas at Austin is ranked #38 among National Universities in the 2022–2024 edition of Best Colleges. Out-of-state tuition and fees are $40,996, with in-state costs of $11,752. The college has an acceptance rate of 29%.
#8. University of Florida
The University of Florida, College of the Arts, aims to be a paradigm-shifting community that responds to and creates changes in the arts and beyond. As a result, it embraces the complexity of the constantly evolving human experience and works to provide its students, teachers, and staff with the freedom to use critical inquiry, creative expression, and provocation to alter it.
They employ effective cooperation with the forces of change, preparing students to penetrate and disrupt centers of power in a rapidly changing world and promoting an art education that will position young artists and researchers as global and local advocates for equity.
The public university University of Florida was established in 1853. The campus is 2,000 acres in size, has a total undergraduate enrolment of 34,881 (fall 2021), and is located in a suburban area.
The academic calendar is based on semesters. The University of Florida is ranked #29 in National Universities in the 2022–2024 edition of Best Colleges. In-state tuition and fees are $6,380, while out-of-state tuition and fees are $28,658.
#9. Northeastern University
Northeastern University has one of the largest foreign student populations in the country and offers resources, assistance, and advice to international students as they plan their academic careers.
Northeastern University is a private University established in 1898. Its campus is 73 acres in size, has a total undergraduate enrolment of 15,747 (fall 2021), and is located in an urban area. The academic calendar is based on semesters.
The National Universities section of the Best Colleges rating for 2022–2024 places Northeastern University at number 44. It’s $60,192 in tuition & fees.
#10. New York University
This is surely one of the most excellent art director colleges. It is a private university established in 1831. In the fall of 2021, 28,772 undergraduate students were enrolled, and the location is urban. The academic calendar is based on semesters.
The National Universities section of the Best Colleges ranking for 2022–2024 places New York University at number 25. Tuition & fees for the university is $58,168. The college has an acceptance rate of 13%.
Read Also: Small New York NY Colleges In 2024 | Apply Now
What Exactly will you be expected to do as an Art Director?
One of the most stunning careers on the job market is an art director. It is listed as the sixth-best creative and media job. Companies in the advertising, marketing, video game, film, and graphic design industries are where they work. You would be expected to do the following duties if you succeed in becoming an art director.
- Together with the copywriter, come up with concise ideas and concepts.
- Create roughs, storyboards, and sketches to visualize concepts.
- Know your target market, strategic positioning, and marketing strategies.
- Cooperate with the other members of the creative team across all mediums.
- Keep deadlines as you complete the work from conception to completion.
- Control, assign tasks to other designers, and give instructions.
- Deliver finished concepts to clients or team members.
- Keep abreast of all trends and adhere to best practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
The average annual salary for an art director in the United States as of June 19, 2024, is $118,686.
A successful art director must have a distinct vision and be willing to consider suggestions from their team. Additionally, they must use their team’s skills and resources to produce outstanding designs.
An art director frequently collaborates with other artists, such as graphic designers, to ensure the success of a project.
Conclusion
Personalities ultimately bring something fresh to the job of an art director. A few traits can distinguish an excellent art director; these can all be obtained in different ways, such as through years of experience or by educating oneself through any of the best art director colleges.
If you want to pursue this career path, the information in this article regarding the best art director colleges will be helpful to you.
References
- Collegedunia.com – How to Become an Art Director
- Rasmussen.edu – Creative Director vs. Art Director: Drawing the Line
- Usnews.com – Art Director
- Activecollab.com – Creative Director vs. Art Director
- Zippia.com – Best Colleges, Degrees, and Courses for Art Directors.
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