BlissPoint Analytics

Occupation AtlasArt Directors

O*NET · 27-1011.00

Art Directors

Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. Direct workers engaged in artwork or layout design.

Also called Art Admin · Art Administrator (Art Admin) · Art Coordinator · Art Director · Art Manager · Art Supervisor · Artistic Director · Brand Creative Director
18 more

CD Director · Creative Art Director · Creative Design Director · Creative Director (CD Director) · Creative Manager · Creative Operations Director (Creative Ops Director) · Creative Ops Director · Creative Services Director · Creative Services Manager · Design Director · Design Manager · Digital Art Director · Graphic Design and Art Production Manager · Group Art Supervisor · Group Creative Director · Magazine Designer · Presentation Director · Product Design Director

Job Zone 4 — Considerable Preparation NeededHolland code AEC35 skills on file

Compare with another occupationCompare with Advertising and Promotions Managers

Job Zone

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5

Zone 4: Considerable Preparation Needed

Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree plus several years of work-related experience, knowledge, or training.

Job Zone is O*NET's rating of how much education, experience and training an occupation typically needs — a property of the work, not of anyone doing it.

Occupational interest profile

AECArtistic · Enterprising · Conventional — the three strongest interests, in order

  • A Artistic7.00
  • E Enterprising5.24
  • C Conventional3.60
  • R Realistic2.95
  • S Social2.88
  • I Investigative2.69

RIASEC (Holland) interests on O*NET's 0–7 scale: what the work draws on, not what any individual prefers. Hover a row for what each dimension means.

Education and experience

The education level respondents say the job requires, and the most common answer for experience and training.

  • High School Diploma or the equivalent10%
  • Some College Courses6%
  • Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree5%
  • Bachelor's Degree68%
  • Post-Baccalaureate Certificate4%
  • Master's Degree8%
Related work experience
Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years (55%)
On-site or in-plant training
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year (22%)
On-the-job training
Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months (29%)

Typically associated skills

All 35 O*NET skills, most important first. Importance (1–5) says how much a skill matters here; level (0–7) says how much of it the work calls for, with O*NET's example of a nearby level. Neither is a proficiency rating of a person.

  • Active Listeningbasic4.04.0Level 4 looks like: Answer inquiries regarding credit references
  • Speakingbasic4.04.0Level 4 looks like: Interview applicants to obtain personal and work history
  • Critical Thinkingbasic3.84.0Level 4 looks like: Evaluate customer complaints and determine appropriate responses
  • Judgment and Decision Making3.83.9Level 4 looks like: Evaluate a loan application for degree of risk
  • Reading Comprehensionbasic3.83.8Level 4 looks like: Understand an email from management describing new personnel policies
  • Coordination3.63.9Level 4 looks like: Work with others to put a new roof on a house
  • Complex Problem Solving3.63.8Level 4 looks like: Redesign a floor layout to take advantage of new manufacturing techniques
  • Time Management3.63.6Level 4 looks like: Allocate the time of subordinates to projects for the coming week
  • Writingbasic3.44.0Level 4 looks like: Write an email to staff outlining new directives
  • Persuasion3.43.8Level 4 looks like: Convince a supervisor to purchase new office equipment
  • Operations Analysis3.43.5Level 4 looks like: Suggest changes in software to make a system more user friendly
  • Active Learningbasic3.33.9Level 4 looks like: Determine the impact of new menu changes on a restaurant's purchasing requirements
Show the other 23
  • Monitoringbasic3.33.6Level 4 looks like: Monitor a meeting and revise the agenda to ensure important topics are discussed
  • Social Perceptiveness3.33.4Level 4 looks like: Be aware of how a coworker's promotion will affect a work group
  • Instructing3.13.4Level 4 looks like: Instruct a coworker in how to operate a software program
  • Learning Strategiesbasic3.03.4Level 4 looks like: Identify an alternative approach to help trainees who are having difficulties
  • Systems Evaluation3.03.4Level 4 looks like: Identify the reasons why a client might be unhappy with a product
  • Management of Personnel Resources3.03.3Level 4 looks like: Direct the activities of a road repair crew with minimal disruption of traffic flow
  • Negotiation3.03.3Level 4 looks like: Contract with a wholesaler to sell items at a given cost
  • Service Orientation3.03.1Level 4 looks like: Make flight reservations for customers using an online booking site
  • Systems Analysis3.03.0Level 2 looks like: Determine how loss of a team member will affect the completion of a job
  • Management of Financial Resources2.52.8Level 2 looks like: Use available funds to buy office supplies and record the amount of the purchase
  • Management of Material Resources2.42.6Level 2 looks like: Reserve a room for a management meeting
  • Mathematicsbasic2.32.6Level 2 looks like: Count the amount of change to be given to a customer
  • Quality Control Analysis2.12.0Level 2 looks like: Inspect a draft email for errors (e.g., grammar, punctuation)
  • Operations Monitoring1.81.0Level 2 looks like: Monitor completion times while running a computer program
  • Programming1.50.8
  • Technology Design1.50.5
  • Sciencebasic1.3—
  • Equipment Maintenance1.1—
  • Equipment Selection1.1—
  • Repairing1.1—
  • Troubleshooting1.1—
  • Installation1.0—
  • Operation and Control1.0—

Tasks

12 core · 4 supplemental

What people in this occupation do, as O*NET records it, core tasks first by importance (1–5).

  1. Work with creative directors to develop design solutions.4.6
  2. Present final layouts to clients for approval.4.5
  3. Manage own accounts and projects, working within budget and scheduling requirements.4.4
  4. Confer with creative, art, copywriting, or production department heads to discuss client requirements and presentation concepts and to coordinate creative activities.4.4
  5. Confer with clients to determine objectives, budget, background information, and presentation approaches, styles, and techniques.4.3
  6. Formulate basic layout design or presentation approach and specify material details, such as style and size of type, photographs, graphics, animation, video, and sound.4.2
  7. Review and approve art materials, copy materials, and proofs of printed copy developed by staff members.4.2
  8. Attend photo shoots and printing sessions to ensure that the products needed are obtained.4.1
  9. Create custom illustrations or other graphic elements.4.1
  10. Hire, train, and direct staff members who develop design concepts into art layouts or who prepare layouts for printing.4.0
  11. Review illustrative material to determine if it conforms to standards and specifications.4.0
  12. Research current trends and new technology, such as printing production techniques, computer software, and design trends.3.7
Show the other 4
  1. Mark up, paste, and complete layouts and write typography instructions to prepare materials for typesetting or printing.4.2
  2. Conceptualize and help design interfaces for multimedia games, products, and devices.3.9
  3. Negotiate with printers and estimators to determine what services will be performed.3.7
  4. Prepare detailed storyboards showing sequence and timing of story development for television production.3.7

Knowledge

Bodies of knowledge the work draws on.

  • Design4.45.1Level 4 looks like: Design plans for remodeling a kitchen
  • English Language4.34.6Level 4 looks like: Edit an article for a news website
  • Computers and Electronics4.24.9Level 4 looks like: Use a computer to format a document
  • Fine Arts4.25.5Level 4 looks like: Play a minor part in a local theater play
  • Communications and Media4.14.7Level 4 looks like: Host a music radio show
  • Sales and Marketing3.74.0Level 4 looks like: Introduce clients to a new line of products
  • Customer and Personal Service3.33.8Level 4 looks like: Be responsible for 10 children at daycare
  • Administration and Management3.03.4Level 4 looks like: Monitor progress of a project to ensure timely completion
Show all 33
  • Production and Processing3.03.2Level 4 looks like: Supervise an appliance assembly line
  • Administrative2.73.6Level 4 looks like: Type 30 words per minute
  • Sociology and Anthropology2.73.3Level 4 looks like: Write an article about cultural differences
  • Telecommunications2.72.7
  • Education and Training2.63.2Level 4 looks like: Lead a quality improvement seminar
  • Engineering and Technology2.42.4Level 1 looks like: Install a door lock
  • Psychology2.32.2Level 1 looks like: Monitor several children on a playground
  • Personnel and Human Resources2.22.3Level 1 looks like: Fill out a medical claim form
  • Geography2.12.4Level 1 looks like: Know the capital of the United States
  • Mathematics2.12.1Level 1 looks like: Add two numbers
  • History and Archeology2.01.8Level 1 looks like: Take a class in US history
  • Philosophy and Theology2.01.9Level 1 looks like: Watch a TV show on family values
  • Public Safety and Security1.91.5Level 1 looks like: Use a seatbelt
  • Transportation1.81.4Level 1 looks like: Ride a train to work
  • Economics and Accounting1.71.1Level 1 looks like: Answer billing questions from credit card customers
  • Foreign Language1.71.1Level 1 looks like: Say "please" and "thank you" in a foreign language
  • Law and Government1.71.5Level 1 looks like: Describe the length of a U.S. presidential term
  • Mechanical1.71.2Level 1 looks like: Replace the filters in a furnace
  • Therapy and Counseling1.50.9Level 1 looks like: Put ice on a sprained ankle
  • Building and Construction1.3—
  • Biology1.2—
  • Chemistry1.2—
  • Medicine and Dentistry1.2—
  • Physics1.2—
  • Food Production1.1—

Abilities

Enduring capacities the work calls for.

  • Fluency of Ideas4.34.3Level 4 looks like: Think of as many ideas as possible for the name of a new company
  • Originality4.34.4Level 4 looks like: Redesign job tasks to be interesting for employees
  • Near Vision4.04.1Level 5 looks like: Read the fine print of a legal document
  • Oral Comprehension4.04.0Level 4 looks like: Understand a coach's oral instructions for a sport
  • Oral Expression4.04.0Level 4 looks like: Give instructions to a lost motorist
  • Written Comprehension4.04.0Level 4 looks like: Understand an apartment lease
  • Visualization3.93.9Level 4 looks like: Follow a diagram to assemble a metal storage cabinet
  • Information Ordering3.83.9Level 2 looks like: Follow the correct steps to make change
Show all 52
  • Problem Sensitivity3.83.8Level 4 looks like: Notice from a subtle difference in a client's mood that something is bothering them
  • Visual Color Discrimination3.84.0Level 4 looks like: Trace electrical circuits marked by various colored wires
  • Deductive Reasoning3.64.0Level 5 looks like: Decide what factors to consider in selecting stocks
  • Speech Clarity3.63.6Level 4 looks like: Make stadium-wide announcements during a sporting event
  • Speech Recognition3.63.6Level 4 looks like: Identify a former customer's voice over the phone
  • Category Flexibility3.53.9Level 3 looks like: Classify flowers according to size, color, and smell
  • Inductive Reasoning3.53.9Level 4 looks like: Determine the prime suspect based on crime scene evidence
  • Written Expression3.43.9Level 4 looks like: Write a job recommendation for a subordinate
  • Far Vision3.13.8Level 4 looks like: Read the slides on a presentation from across a room
  • Flexibility of Closure3.03.0Level 2 looks like: Detect that your phone is ringing while at a concert
  • Perceptual Speed2.82.9Level 2 looks like: Sort mail according to ZIP codes with no time pressure
  • Selective Attention2.82.8Level 2 looks like: Answer a business call with coworkers talking nearby
  • Speed of Closure2.83.0Level 3 looks like: Recognize a song after hearing only the first few notes
  • Time Sharing2.62.4Level 2 looks like: Listen to music while entering numbers into a spreadsheet
  • Mathematical Reasoning2.53.1Level 4 looks like: Decide how to calculate profits to determine the amounts of yearly bonuses
  • Finger Dexterity2.42.0Level 2 looks like: Put coins in a parking meter
  • Memorization2.42.6
  • Number Facility2.32.6Level 3 looks like: Calculate a discounted price
  • Arm-Hand Steadiness2.12.1Level 2 looks like: Light a candle
  • Manual Dexterity2.12.0Level 1 looks like: Screw a light bulb into a light socket
  • Control Precision1.91.4Level 2 looks like: Adjust a room light with a dimmer switch
  • Auditory Attention1.81.5Level 2 looks like: Listen to a lecture while people nearby are talking
  • Hearing Sensitivity1.60.9
  • Trunk Strength1.61.1Level 2 looks like: Sit up in an office chair
  • Wrist-Finger Speed1.50.8
  • Depth Perception1.40.5
  • Reaction Time1.3—
  • Dynamic Strength1.1—
  • Rate Control1.1—
  • Spatial Orientation1.1—
  • Dynamic Flexibility1.0—
  • Explosive Strength1.0—
  • Extent Flexibility1.0—
  • Glare Sensitivity1.0—
  • Gross Body Coordination1.0—
  • Gross Body Equilibrium1.0—
  • Multilimb Coordination1.0—
  • Night Vision1.0—
  • Peripheral Vision1.0—
  • Response Orientation1.0—
  • Sound Localization1.0—
  • Speed of Limb Movement1.0—
  • Stamina1.0—
  • Static Strength1.0—

Work activities

Kinds of activity the work is made of.

  • Thinking Creatively5.06.2Level 7 looks like: Create new computer software
  • Working with Computers4.64.7Level 4 looks like: Write software for keeping track of parts in inventory
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates4.45.5Level 4 looks like: Report the results of a sales meeting to a supervisor
  • Getting Information4.44.7Level 4 looks like: Review a budget
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems4.45.2Level 4 looks like: Select the location for a major retail store
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge4.35.5Level 4 looks like: Keep current on changes in maintenance procedures for repairing sports cars
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work4.25.4Level 4 looks like: Plan and adjust a personal to-do list according to changing demands
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships3.95.0Level 4 looks like: Maintain good working relationships with almost all coworkers and clients
Show all 41
  • Communicating with People Outside the Organization3.84.9Level 4 looks like: Present information to potential clients about available services
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events3.84.0Level 4 looks like: Judge the suitability of food products for an event
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others3.63.6Level 4 looks like: Interpret how foreign tax laws apply to U.S. exports
  • Providing Consultation and Advice to Others3.54.5Level 4 looks like: Recommend a new software package to increase operational efficiency
  • Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others3.54.4Level 4 looks like: Get two subordinates to agree about vacation schedules
  • Analyzing Data or Information3.43.5Level 4 looks like: Determine the interest cost to finance a new building
  • Developing and Building Teams3.34.0Level 4 looks like: Lead an assembly team in an automobile plant
  • Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates3.34.0Level 4 looks like: Manage a small team of employees in a dynamic workplace
  • Training and Teaching Others3.34.2Level 4 looks like: Teach a social sciences course to high school students
  • Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others3.24.3Level 4 looks like: Organize the cleanup crew after a major sporting event
  • Developing Objectives and Strategies3.02.9
  • Documenting/Recording Information3.02.5Level 1 looks like: Record the weight of a patient during a routine health exam
  • Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People3.03.5Level 4 looks like: Determine the value of property lost in a fire
  • Scheduling Work and Activities2.93.1Level 4 looks like: Prepare the work schedule for salesclerks in a large retail store
  • Coaching and Developing Others2.82.7
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards2.82.9
  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings2.82.9
  • Assisting and Caring for Others2.72.2Level 1 looks like: Help a coworker complete an assignment
  • Performing Administrative Activities2.62.5Level 1 looks like: Complete routine paperwork
  • Performing for or Working Directly with the Public2.63.0Level 4 looks like: Sell shoes in a crowded shoe store
  • Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment2.52.0Level 1 looks like: Specify the lighting for a work area
  • Processing Information2.53.0Level 4 looks like: Calculate the adjustments for insurance claims
  • Selling or Influencing Others2.52.7
  • Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information2.32.3Level 1 looks like: Estimate the size of household furniture to be shipped
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials2.32.2Level 1 looks like: Check that doors to building are locked
  • Staffing Organizational Units2.32.0Level 1 looks like: Work in a position that has minimal staffing requirements
  • Monitoring and Controlling Resources2.01.4Level 1 looks like: Work as a server responsible for keeping track of utensils
  • Handling and Moving Objects1.81.4Level 1 looks like: Change settings on copy machines
  • Controlling Machines and Processes1.71.2Level 1 looks like: Operate a cash register
  • Performing General Physical Activities1.71.1Level 1 looks like: Walk between workstations in a small office
  • Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment1.51.2Level 1 looks like: Use display settings to adjust a television picture
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment1.40.6Level 1 looks like: Drive a car
  • Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment1.31.1Level 1 looks like: Make simple, external adjustments to a door hinge with ordinary hand tools

Work context

The conditions most characteristic of the work, on O*NET's 1–5 context scale.

  • Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams5.0
  • E-Mail4.8
  • Spend Time Sitting4.8
  • Time Pressure4.8
  • Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team4.8
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled4.6
  • Contact With Others4.5
  • Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals4.2
  • Freedom to Make Decisions4.2
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate4.0

Technology

52 tools

Software used in this work. In demand: among the tools job postings for this occupation name most. Hot: often named in job postings across the economy.

In demand (8)

  • Adobe After Effectshot
  • Adobe Creative Cloud softwarehot
  • Adobe Illustratorhot
  • Adobe InDesignhot
  • Adobe Photoshophot
  • Figmahot
  • Microsoft Office softwarehot
  • Microsoft PowerPointhot

Hot (15; 8 more marked hot above)

  • Adobe Acrobat
  • AJAX
  • Apple macOS
  • Atlassian Confluence
  • Atlassian JIRA
  • Cascading style sheets CSS
  • Facebook
  • Hypertext markup language HTML
  • JavaScript
  • jQuery
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft Word
  • PHP
  • WordPress
Other tools (29)
  • Adobe ActionScript
  • Adobe Director
  • Adobe Dreamweaver
  • Adobe ImageReady
  • Adobe Premiere Pro
  • Apache Flex
  • Apple Final Cut Pro
  • Apple iWork Keynote
  • Apple Keynote
  • Autodesk 3ds Max Design
  • Autodesk Maya
  • Computer assisted design software
  • Data visualization software
  • Drupal
  • Dynamic hypertext markup language DHTML
  • Extensible hypertext markup language XHTML
  • Google Slides
  • Mag+
  • Maxon Cinema 4D
  • Mobile application software
  • Quark enterprise publishing software
  • QuarkXPress
  • Social media software
  • Tablet application software
  • User interface design software
  • Web broswer software
  • WeVideo
  • WoodWing
  • YouTube

Related occupations

O*NET's own list of the occupations most related to this one, closest first.

  1. Graphic Designers
  2. Special Effects Artists and Animators
  3. Producers and Directors
  4. Project Management Specialists
  5. Writers and Authors
  6. Set and Exhibit Designers
  7. Media Programming Directors
  8. Media Technical Directors/Managers
  9. Information Technology Project Managers
  10. Public Relations Specialists

ESCO equivalents

From the official ESCO–O*NET crosswalk, strongest match first. A broader occupation takes in this one; a narrower one is a part of it.

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. ESCO occupations and skills are from the European Commission's ESCO classification, and the occupation crosswalk is the official ESCO–O*NET mapping by the ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA. This service uses the ESCO classification of the European Commission. BlissPoint Analytics has modified all or some of this information: skill, task and descriptor ratings are rounded to one decimal, and ESCO occupations show Job Zone and interests copied from a crosswalked O*NET occupation. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.