ive always wanted to work in the advertising industry but recently i found out how much i specfically want to aim for being an advertising art director! however, i've researched into it, a lot of people who do these jobs all have art backgrounds or have taken graphics courses… but i haven't! i haven't even done art in GCSE…and therefore no creative subjects in A levels. most of those case studies i read, the people all did visual communications or copywriting/art direction …and you need to have an art background to do any of those… right now, i'm going on to do advertising and marketing communications with a language… should i change? or could i do some sort of supplement course? when would i do it, along with my degree? and does it matter i don't have any art background? … and i dont have a portfolio either!!!
so now what?!
thank you for your help!
Hello, I thought I could be of help, since I work in Advertising.
I have a BA in Graphic Design and work in a small ad agency.
To answer your questions:
1-How to equip yourself for being an Art Director?
A degree/HND in ANY SUBJECT is acceptable, although an advertising art director would usually be expected to have some sort of art or design background/training (possibly in graphic design or visual communication ) and a portfolio of work.
Entry without a degree is possible if you have a portfolio of work.
2-Should you change your major?
The Advertising and marketing communications course is useful, however, it might not land you a job in the creative department.
I suggest you take a course in Art Direction/Copywriting to accelerate your career. It will help you build your portfolio.
If you have a BA in Math or whatever, you can still do a Masters in Art Direction. The best advertising schools are in the USA and UK.
In USA :
1-VCU adcenter
2-Miami Adschool
3-Creative Circus
4-Portfolio Center
In Uk
1-West Herts College
2-Falmouth University
3-Central Saint Martins
Or if you're willing to stay in your current major, you can still opt for a short course or a training in advertising design.
Some universities offer short courses in advertising. The D&AD in UK, offers workshops in advertising. So yes you can do it along your degree alternatively.
So as you see, there's not one pathway to work in advertising.
But to sum it up, a great portfolio filled with bright concepts is your key to becoming an art director.
I hope I was of help, you can email me if you want.
Meanwhile, check this link
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/Types_of_Job/p!eipaL?state=showocc&idno=241&pageno=1
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
i dont no but good luck
References :
I think you better take some of your spare time to learn at least the basics of what is ART and DESIGN and try to make your own portfolio. Being an advertising art director, as you mentioned, of course it's better to have some background knowledge on visual communications or related field.
If advertising needs graphics or visual communication, try to imagine, if you want to be a civil engineer of course you need to be strong at maths. Or if you want to be a doctor, at least you are not afraid of seeing blood.
Theory is important, but practise makes perfect! Good luck!
References :
Hello, I thought I could be of help, since I work in Advertising.
I have a BA in Graphic Design and work in a small ad agency.
To answer your questions:
1-How to equip yourself for being an Art Director?
A degree/HND in ANY SUBJECT is acceptable, although an advertising art director would usually be expected to have some sort of art or design background/training (possibly in graphic design or visual communication ) and a portfolio of work.
Entry without a degree is possible if you have a portfolio of work.
2-Should you change your major?
The Advertising and marketing communications course is useful, however, it might not land you a job in the creative department.
I suggest you take a course in Art Direction/Copywriting to accelerate your career. It will help you build your portfolio.
If you have a BA in Math or whatever, you can still do a Masters in Art Direction. The best advertising schools are in the USA and UK.
In USA :
1-VCU adcenter
2-Miami Adschool
3-Creative Circus
4-Portfolio Center
In Uk
1-West Herts College
2-Falmouth University
3-Central Saint Martins
Or if you're willing to stay in your current major, you can still opt for a short course or a training in advertising design.
Some universities offer short courses in advertising. The D&AD in UK, offers workshops in advertising. So yes you can do it along your degree alternatively.
So as you see, there's not one pathway to work in advertising.
But to sum it up, a great portfolio filled with bright concepts is your key to becoming an art director.
I hope I was of help, you can email me if you want.
Meanwhile, check this link
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/Types_of_Job/p!eipaL?state=showocc&idno=241&pageno=1
References :