Art Director Overview

Required Education and Training To Become an Art Director

Best Schools to become a Art Director in U.S. 2024

Mesa Community College

Mesa, AZ

In-State Tuition:$2,040
Out-of-State Tuition:$7,824
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:13%
Total Enrollment:15,772

Glendale Community College

Glendale, AZ

In-State Tuition:$2,040
Out-of-State Tuition:$7,824
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:12%
Total Enrollment:13,342

Estrella Mountain Community College

Avondale, AZ

In-State Tuition:$2,040
Out-of-State Tuition:$7,824
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:18%
Total Enrollment:9,620

Southern New Hampshire University

Manchester, NH

In-State Tuition:$15,000
Out-of-State Tuition:$15,000
Admission Rate:96%
Graduation Rate:41%
Total Enrollment:164,091

Chandler-Gilbert Community College

Chandler, AZ

In-State Tuition:$2,040
Out-of-State Tuition:$7,824
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:17%
Total Enrollment:13,775

Savannah College of Art and Design

Savannah, GA

In-State Tuition:$39,105
Out-of-State Tuition:$39,105
Admission Rate:82%
Graduation Rate:73%
Total Enrollment:16,414
Art Director Job Description:
  • Design special exhibits and sets for film, video, television, and theater productions.
  • May study scripts, confer with directors, and conduct research to determine appropriate architectural styles.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become an Art Director

Job Duties for Art Directors

  • Develop set designs, based on evaluation of scripts, budgets, research information, and available locations.

  • Prepare preliminary renderings of proposed exhibits, including detailed construction, layout, and material specifications, and diagrams relating to aspects such as special effects or lighting.

  • Prepare rough drafts and scale working drawings of sets, including floor plans, scenery, and properties to be constructed.

Technologies and Skills Used by Art Directors

Computer aided design CAD software

  • Autodesk Revit
  • Trimble SketchUp Pro

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Video creation and editing software

  • Adobe After Effects
  • Autodesk 3ds Max

Basic Skills

  • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • Reading work related information

People and Technology Systems

  • Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Current Job Market and Opportunites for an Art Director

Additional Resources To Help You Become an Art Director

FAQs About Becoming an Art Director