Profession art director
Art directors shape the visual layout of a concept. They create innovative designs, develop artistic projects and manage the cooperation between all aspects involved. Art directors may perform creative work in theatre, marketing, advertising, video and motion picture, fashion or online companies. They ensure that the work performed is visually appealing to audiences.
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Personality Type
- Artistic / Enterprising
Knowledge
- Personal directing styles
Be familliar with the style of specific directors.
- Health and safety regulations
Necessary health, safety, hygiene and environmental standards and legislation rules in the sector of particular activity.
- Design principles
The elements used in design such as unity, scale, proportion, balance, symmetry, space, form, texture, colour, light, shade and congruence and their application into practice.
- Theatre techniques
Understand techniques that facilitate a successful presentation of a play.
- Business strategy concepts
The terminology related to the design and implementation of major trends and aims which are taken by an organisation's executives, while keeping in mind its resources, competition and environments.
Skills
- Analyse the need for technical resources
Define and make a list of the required resources and equipment based on the technical needs of the production.
- Analyse a script
Break down a script by analysing the dramaturgy, form, themes and structure of a script. Conduct relevant research if necessary.
- Develop professional network
Reach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal professional network and stay up to date on their activities.
- Determine visual concepts
Determine how best to represent a concept visually.
- Direct an artistic team
Lead and instruct a complete team with the required cultural expertise and experience.
- Work with playwrights
Work with writers through workshops or script development schemes.
- Create solutions to problems
Solve problems which arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance. Use systematic processes of collecting, analysing, and synthesising information to evaluate current practice and generate new understandings about practice.
- Develop creative ideas
Developing new artistic concepts and creative ideas.
- Keep up with trends
Monitor and follow new trends and developments in specific sectors.
- Cue a performance
Plan the technical actions and interventions during an artistic performance. Determine when actors go on and off stage. Make sure these cues are followed to ensure a smooth running of the performance.
- Finish project within budget
Make sure to stay within budget. Adapt work and materials to budget.
- Read scripts
Read a playbook or film script, not only as literature, but identifying, actions, emotional states, evolution of characters, situations, different sets and locations, etc.
- Consult with producer
Consult with a motion picture producer about requirements, deadlines, budget, and other specifications.
- Assemble an artistic team
Identify required expertise and artistic needs. Look for potential human resources and candidates, solicit candidates, and conduct solicitation talks and tests. Communicate clearly about the specific project, select team members, and agree on the conditions and requirements of the project.
- Interpret scripts
Translate and interpret a script or musical score.
- Follow time cues
Observe the conductor, orchestra or director and follow text and vocal score to time cues accurately.
- Manage budgets
Conduct cost estimates and budget planning. Monitor the budget, as well as costs and expenses. Forecast the budget development continuously. Report on the budget.
- Develop design concept
Research information to develop new ideas and concepts for the design of a specific production. Read scripts and consult directors and other production staff members, in order to develop design concepts and plan productions.
- Create new concepts
Come up with new concepts.
Optional knowledge and skills
estimate duration of work film production process coordinate artistic production negotiate with artists coordinate technical teams in artistic productions coordinate with creative departments contact talent agents advertising techniques lead cast and crew approve advertising campaign translate artistic concepts to technical designs manage staff define artistic vision supervise equipment multimedia systems lighting techniques carry out interviews to select artistic team members carry out auditions music and video industry use technical documentation coordinate advertising campaigns cinematography history of fashion check material rescources work with motion picture editing team organise rehearsals digital marketing techniques manage contracts promote cultural venue events search databases manage prompt book computer equipment create production schedules select music for performance acting and directing techniques photography perform project management plan musical performances social media marketing techniques ensure visual quality of the set discover acting talent musical instruments liaise with cultural partners musical genres work with video and motion picture production team audiovisual equipment maintain blocking notes evaluate art quality evaluate advertising campaign marketing management work with pre-production team graphic design cultural projects technical drawings marketing principles trends in fashionCommon job titles
- Art director
- Junior-mid level art director
- Senior art director
- Senior visual designer
- Art director gfa - global football
- Art director/designer (marketing)
- Associate creative director/art director- marcom
- Art director ~ american greetings creative studios
- Creative director