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.
- 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.
- 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.
Skills
- 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.
- Develop creative ideas
Developing new artistic concepts and creative ideas.
- Finish project within budget
Make sure to stay within budget. Adapt work and materials to budget.
- Keep up with trends
Monitor and follow new trends and developments in specific sectors.
- 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.
- Create new concepts
Come up with new concepts.
- 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.
- 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.
- Consult with producer
Consult with a motion picture producer about requirements, deadlines, budget, and other specifications.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Determine visual concepts
Determine how best to represent a concept visually.
- Follow time cues
Observe the conductor, orchestra or director and follow text and vocal score to time cues accurately.