An Art Director (AD), is the lead creative voice on projects across fashion brands, publications and agencies. They are responsible for all the visual outputs of the brands they work for. This can be a lookbook for a new collection, new magazine, advertising campaigns for new product launches etc. Translating a project brief from a client into a beautiful, visually engaging end product is their goal.

ADs can work in house across all parts of the industry for example at a fashion brand, at a PR or branding agency or at publications. Once at director level, the key role is to manage creative teams working on project briefs to bring them to life though graphic design, photography and videography. Working hand in hand with stylists, photographers, artworkers, writers and set designers across projects. 

Training in graphic design or branding is beneficial to start on the path of becoming an art director, as well as fine art skills to be able to illustrate ideas. Excellent organisation skills, strong communication and people management are also essential due to the nature of working across multiple teams to deliver projects.