I'm looking to transition from graphic designer to art director/creative director, any advice on how to get those opportunities?

Replies4

  • I know plenty of amazing creatives who've made this career move - including some who've later switched back to become Design Directors.

    Much like being a designer, the biggest asset to any art director is their portfolio. My advice would be to find some projects were you can show off your conceptual thinking skills... D&AD briefs are a good place to start, or if you work with any creatives ask to be included in their next briefing.

    I would also advise looking for a mentor, through an organisation like SheSays. This will give you someone to talk to about the skills you are developing. These roles are very similar to each other, and yet the day-to-day skills they require can be very different. If you find someone who has made that switch already, they can guide you.
  • Hi Daria,

    My first thought is you need to target either the role of either an Art Director or a Creative Director, they require very different skill sets particulalry that of Creative Director. Once you have identified which role is right for you then you can set out to achieve it.
  • Hi Daria,

    To be an art director / creative director usually you need more experience. To be a designer it's just a title for a type of job, to be an art director / creative director it also suggest seniority. Also means you have to understand enough mutliple creative disciplines to be able to insightfully direct a team of creatives. Most of creative / art directors are sepcialised for certain fields.

    I would recommend first find a field you deeply passionated about, fi. fashion and learn it inside out. Nowdays really you can find it all on youtube. And then run self initiated projects till you have your own style, confidence and of course good enough work to do it for clients.
  • Perhaps you need to create those opportunities for yourself.

    You can pitch in the projects to clients as concepts and then outsource the production. I would even say start small with mixed media. Find a project that needs something what you can´t deliver alone. Eg nice illustrations or 3D or video production and start working with other people to gain the experience.

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