Advice about becoming an Art Director? I am a freelance illustrator but have hopes to do both one day, wondering how to make this happen?
I am a freelance illustrator, which is my absolute dream job and I love it, but I am also quite interested in getting into art direction at some point in my career. I'm wondering where I would need to begin to achieve this goal, and how easy branching out from freelance illustration would be - is it doable being both a freelance illustrator and an art director? And what areas of art direction would lend themselves to someone who is familar with and involved in illustration? Any advice would be appreciated!
Replies6
- @Emi Dixon Thank you Emi for this! I appreciate you going into specifics, super useful :)
- Definitely possible to be both, if have the time :-)With your background in illustration you might feel more at home in editorial, which would be a good balance of commissioning illustration alongside photographic art direction (newspaper magazines are a good example of variety in AD). Fashion is more photographic (model / still life shoots) but there are always examples of fashion brands using illustration as well in campaigns (Hermès do loads) - sometimes it's up to you where you decide to take the creative. Depending on your CV you might need to look at starting in a Designer role and working up to AD.. definitely make use of any contacts from your illustration work!
- @Johanna de Mornay Davies thank you so much for your advice Johanna, this is very helpful!
- Hi Jordan,I would say it is or course possible if you put your mind to it ;) In terms of where to start, maybe YOU should decide what kind of Art Direction you wish to pursue - Fashion may be more photographic led, but with your illustration skills/ design aesthetic you could apply this to AD within magazines/publishing. Or if you wish to explore advertising it may be worth following threads/ asking the community about courses for those starting out and try out some spec briefs. Plus utilise any AD contacts you may already have.Hope that helps!
- This is a brilliant question, Jordan! I'm super interested to see what people say...
- Also very interested to hear answers on this. Great question!
You must sign up or log in before you
add a comment.