Advertising & PR

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree
For a career as an art director, it is recommended to earn a Bachelor's degree in art, graphic design or a related field. A wide variety of Bachelor's degree programs are available in arts, studio art, graphic design, art direction or art management.
Step 2: Obtain entry-level employment
Positions as an advertising art director are usually available to professionals with 3-5 years of industry experience, so most prospective art directors may be offered an entry-level position in the field. Possible positions may include artist, graphic designer, copywriter, photographer or other creative workers. Working in one or more of these lower-level jobs can help aspiring art directors to refine their design skills, gain collaborative experience and demonstrate their ability to direct a project from conception to completion. Those who work long hours and accept greater responsibilities often stand out to employers for advancement.
Step 3: Seek promotion
The American Association of Advertising Agencies (4As) stated that applicants for assistant art director positions are typically qualified after 1-2 years of industry experience. Art directors can be promoted from within a company or by seeking job opportunities at other agencies. In either case, competition for advertising art director positions is often fierce, reported the BLS.
Step 4: Continue your education
While not required, advertising art directors have the option to continue their educations in order to further hone their skills and stay current with new technologies and other advances in the industry, which may help them become promoted more quickly. The 4As provides the Institute of Advanced Advertising Studies, a training program created to help advertising professionals learn new skills and concepts through on-site and virtual courses.
Advertising art directors need at least a Bachelor's degree in graphic design, illustration, or photography and some employers might prefer candidates with a Master's degree.