Art Director Notes

Culling together information RE: A career in Art Direction, namely for advertising, ideally, video-based: viral media, television, and media aggregation streams.

What is the de facto pre-req's for an Art Director?

• Fine Arts Degree/Design Education
• Portfolio
• Agency Experience
• Brand understanding
• Marketing Experience
• Technical (software) Skills
• Trend Awareness (What's topical media-wise, buyer demographic mindset)
• Psychology
• Management/Team Leader
• Liaison between departments (Copy, Photography, Art...etc)

I have a degree, technical skills and know a little about psychology. The rest, I need experience. What routes are available?

• Internship with Design Department?
• Get more technical skills...Bone up on Photoshop, Illustrator, The CS Suite. 
•  Create Spec Portfolio? (Ads I would like to see), consult for advice on portfolio...
•  Study Trade Publications
•  Study Design

A big chunk of what I need is out of the way (namely, the degree) the rest is do-able. I can study the various software by using it to do what I envision (Spec Portfolio/Reel), and look at design magazines, study trade publications and, maybe go back to school to get specific skills sharpened, and to network.

In the meantime, work at least, near the industry. And work in my off time on creating, honing and building a solid portfolio.