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.
SOC: 27-1011.00
Common Job Titles
Art Director
Creative Director (CD Director)
Creative Services Director
Design Director
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generated
Key competencies for this occupation at a glance
KnowledgeCreate visual design concepts and presentation approaches for print, broadcast, video, and film media, synthesizing client objectives with artistic vision.
Advanced
MindsetModel professional creative excellence and collaborative leadership while directing and mentoring designers, illustrators, and layout artists.
Advanced
KnowledgeEvaluate creative deliverables and design quality against project objectives and brand standards, providing constructive feedback to design teams.
Proficient
Hands-onDemonstrate mastery of Adobe Creative Cloud applications including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign to produce professional-grade visual assets across multiple media formats.
Proficient
MindsetIntegrate client feedback and stakeholder expectations with creative vision through active listening and negotiation during collaborative design processes.
Proficient
MindsetAdvocate for design choices and creative strategies when presenting concepts to clients and executives, using persuasion and visual communication.
Proficient
KnowledgeCoordinate workflow and project timelines for design teams across multiple concurrent projects, managing resources and prioritizing deliverables under deadline pressure.
Proficient
KnowledgeDevelop integrated design systems and brand guidelines ensuring visual consistency across digital, print, and broadcast platforms.
Proficient
Hands-onExecute precisely digital illustration and photo editing techniques using industry-standard tools and emerging design technologies for web and mobile interfaces.
Proficient
KnowledgeAnalyze market trends, target audience preferences, and competitive visual strategies to inform design decisions for advertising and media campaigns.
Developing
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Art Directors (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
50,370
Wage Distribution by Percentile
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $61,060. 25th percentile: U.S. $80,130. 50th percentile: U.S. $111,040. 75th percentile: U.S. $160,460. 90th percentile: U.S. $211,410. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
U.S.
Metric
U.S.
10% of workers earn the following or less
$61,060
10% of workers earn the following or more
$211,410
Workers on average earn
$128,100
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
Design4.3/5
English Language4.3/5
Computers and Electronics4.2/5
Fine Arts4.2/5
Communications and Media4.1/5
Skills & Requirements: Knowledge
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
