Career

You may select any stream of your choice.
You will generally require a qualification to be an art director. Many are graduates of art, architecture, theatre, interior or 3D design courses. You could also undertake higher-level courses in film and/or theatre production design. After training, it will be vital for you to acquire on-the-job experience of how art departments work, studio practice, working on locations, etc.
What is the best route?
To become an art director, you need to learn your skills on the job. This involves starting out as an Art Department Assistant and progressing through the grades, e.g. to junior draughtsman, then to draughtsman or assistant art director. Although, this progression will take a number of years, it is a crucial process during which you will gain the knowledge and experience you require to become a good art director.
If you study film, television and theatre design you could also gain experience working on low budget productions before progressing to junior roles on television programs or feature films.
You could transfer across from a similar role in the theatre, having learnt to conceptualize ideas and communicate them dramatically and visually. However, you will have to learn techniques specific to film and TV.