How to become an advertising art director
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- graduate trainee scheme
University
Employers will often expect you to have a foundation degree, higher national diploma, degree or postgraduate qualification in:
- graphic design
- advertising design
- illustration
- fine art
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
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Apprenticeship
You could do a junior advertising creative, advanced apprenticeship which would give you some of the skills and knowledge for this role. With experience you could work your way up to art director level.
The apprenticeship typically takes 18 months to complete as a mix of learning in the workplace and study.
Entry requirements
Employers will set their own entry requirements.
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Work
You can start as a junior creative to develop your skills on the job and work your way up through training and promotion.
Volunteering
You could get some experience before applying for your first job. This will give you a better understanding of the industry and is a good way to make useful contacts.
You can contact agencies directly to ask about placements, and make industry contacts through relevant groups on social networking sites like LinkedIn. You can get more advice on how to approach advertising agencies from the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising.
Other Routes
In larger advertising agencies, you may be trained through a structured graduate scheme, if you have a relevant degree.
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Career tips
Your creativity and ability in art and design are the most important things to many employers.
When looking for jobs, you'll need to show a portfolio of examples of your creative work. Some agencies recruit creative teams rather than just individuals. You could work together with a copywriter and together create finished concepts you can pitch.
Professional and industry bodies
You could join the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising, for professional development, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.
Further information
You can find out more about careers in advertising from the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising and Discover Creative Careers.