The Assistant Art Director of an agency works with the art director, copywriter, and other members of the creative services department to formulate the visual appearance of advertisements. He or she might be totally responsible for an ad from the concept to the finished advertisement, or he or she may assist the art director with his or her ads. The individual may create print ads for any type of media including newspapers, magazines, billboards, direct mail, packaging, posters, books, or broadcast advertisements.
The Assistant Art Director is usually assigned one or more client accounts. Depending on the size and the organization of the agency, he or she may be assigned one or more client accounts or may assist the art director with his or her clients. Whatever the case, the individual works with the other agency people assigned to the same account to create advertisements for the client. For example, the individual might work with a graphic artist laying out a rough draft of an ad, or he or she might work with an artist or illustrator obtaining drawings and sketches for the advertisement. The Assistant Art Director also works extensively with the account executive, getting his or her feedback and ideas on advertisement concepts and needs.
One of the most important responsibilities of the Assistant Art Director is to work with the copywriter, trying to find the most effective way to put the words and graphics together. Ads must be effective or they won’t sell the product or service that the client is trying to push. If ads don’t work, the client may change advertising agencies in hopes of finding someone who can better express the company’s product or service.
The Assistant Art Director often visits the client’s plant or place of business to gain an insight into what the client wants and how they want it shown to the public. If, for example, a client wants to advertise a new computer line that is being marketed for schoolchildren, the Assistant Art Director might visit a school or homes that currently use the computers. In this way he or she can see the product in use and may come up with an advertising concept to sell the product to others.
Throughout the creative process the Assistant Art Director reviews and presents the final layouts to the art director, creative director, or account executive in charge of the client. It is also the responsibility of the Assistant Art Director to make sure that the advertising concept receives approval from the account executive, who gets it from the client. Even with this approval, after long periods of work to come up with, what the individual thinks is the perfect ad, the client may decide it is not what is wanted after all, and the Assistant Art Director must start all over again.
Depending on the size and the organization of the agency, another of the duties of the Assistant Art Director may be to supervise members of the creative services department. He or she may supervise artists, illustrators, cartoonists, and designers. If agencies are large, there could be a number of Assistant Art Directors working in the creative department. In smaller agencies there might be only one or two. If the agency the individual is working for is very small, he or she may also perform the duties of a graphic designer, illustrator, or artist. If the agency is larger, the Assistant Art Director may just create layout ideas for print media and storyboards for television.
Assistant Art Directors may work in both print media and broadcast media or might be assigned to just one. Individuals in this type of job may also specialize in particular fields, media, or types of layout. Another responsibility of an Assistant Art Director is reviewing portfolios of freelance photographers, illustrators, artists, directors, and producers.
At certain agencies the Assistant Art Director, along with the art director, creative director, copywriter, and account executive, makes presentations of advertisements and advertising campaigns. It is therefore important that the Assistant Art Director be articulate, able to speak in public, and confident in his or her ideas. This is a high-stress job in which work is often brought home. There is constant pressure to come up with creative ideas and advertisements. If the advertising campaign is successful, the Assistant Art Director will have the satisfaction of seeing his or her ads all over.
Depending on the organization of the agency, the Assistant Art Director is responsible to the art director, the creative director, or the account executive assigned to the client.
Salaries for Assistant Art Directors working in agencies are dependent on the size, location, and prestige of the agency. Salaries will be higher for individuals working in larger, more prestigious agencies. Salaries for Assistant Art Directors can range from $26,000 to $60,000 plus, depending on the agency. Compensation in most agency positions includes fringe benefit packages.
Our website is not responsible for the information contained by this article. Articleinput.com is a free articles resource thus practically any visitor can submit an article. However if you notice any copyrighted material, please contact us and we will remove the article(s) in discussion right away.
Note: This article was sent to us by: Freddie Humphrey at 04122010
1. Good opportunities for large companies
All articles are property of their respective authors. Please read our Privacy Policy!
© 2009 ArticleInput.com.