In the world of film and television, art directors have been responsible for bringing props and sets to life ever since the term “art director” was coined in 1914. Over time, the role has evolved into an increasingly complex, technical one. Today’s art directors are senior leaders on TV and film sets who translate the visions of directors and production designers into action plans for the art department.
The guidelines on how to become an art director have evolved over time, too. Earning a graduate degree, such as a Master of Arts in Entertainment Industry Management degree, can help equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in this role.
What Does an Art Director Do?
An art director working on a film or TV show begins by internalizing the visual concept for the production. Then they use their technical and interpersonal skills to lead the art crew through the process of making that concept a reality. Members of an art department typically include:
- Visual and graphic artists
- Illustrators and storyboard artists
- Set decorators
- Costume designers
- Production carpenters
- Department assistants
Typical Job Duties of an Art Director
To achieve the goal of bringing the greater visual concept to life, an art director breaks down the goal into manageable projects and assigns them to the professional teams who can see them through. These projects run from the preproduction stage — preparing props, sets, and costumes for filming — through the postproduction stage.
Preproduction: Testing Props, Sets, and Costumes
Once the director and production designer have a clear vision, the art director works with them to imagine how to functionally create the aesthetic. Then the art director manages the development of the props, sets, and costumes, and works with visual designers who illustrate, storyboard, and graphically design mock-ups that will guide the filming.
The process includes multiple rounds of testing, ultimately ensuring that everything will be ready when production begins.
Production: Overseeing the Art Department
Once the visual materials are ready for filming, the art director turns their attention to leading and supporting the members of the art department through the entire production of the project. They must proactively manage many operational tasks to ensure that all the materials and people are in the right place at the right time.
To keep all things related to the on-camera visuals running smoothly, art directors monitor schedules, manage budgets, oversee sets, and keep track of props and costumes.
Postproduction: Ensuring Cohesion in the Final Cut
While some of the pressure is lifted once the production wraps, the art director stays involved in the postproduction work to ensure that the visual concept is carried through in the final touches of the project. They act as the connective thread from the earliest iterations of the visual concept all the way to the last details.
They also support the operational back end of production, helping the art department close down in a timely and organized manner.
How to Become an Art Director in Entertainment
Those who are researching how to become an art director should be aware of the typical education, work experience, skill, and professional asset requirements for the role.
1. Earn a Degree in a Related Field
To become an art director, an individual needs to earn at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as art, design, or media, or a master’s degree in a field that is even more specifically geared to their career goal, such as film and TV production or entertainment management. There are a number of reasons to earn a graduate degree in one of these areas, such as:
- Increasing one’s earning potential beyond that of a film set leader with a bachelor’s degree
- Deepening one’s expertise in global trends, media contracts, production pipelines, and budgeting
- Building a professional network that can provide support and be used to leverage a steady flow of projects and income
2. Gain Work Experience and Develop Professional Skills
In the arts, gaining work experience goes hand in hand with developing professional skills. Many aspiring art directors jump into internships during or after their degree programs to learn how productions come together. Internships may involve supporting preproduction tasks, doing on-set work as a production intern, or assisting a particular member of the staff.
Internships generally last for one project stage, such as the duration of on-set filming. The connections that an intern makes on each project can help them land their next job, whether that turns out to be another internship or a full-time role.
Entry-level roles in art departments are a great way for aspiring art directors to continue developing their technical and interpersonal skills. Common full-time job titles include production assistant, production runner, set builder/artist, and visual artist. Many professionals work in these types of roles for about five years to qualify for a role as an art director, developing skills such as:
- Artistic and visual prowess and confidence
- Project management skills
- Computer-aided design (CAD) proficiency
- Team management and collaboration capabilities
- Financial management and budgeting skills
3. Curate a Portfolio, Network, and Obtain Certifications
Prospective art directors can use the first years of their career to develop three important aspects of their professional repertoire:
- Creative portfolios: Collections of materials that showcase an individual’s skills and the effectiveness of their previous projects
- Professional networks: Communities of professionals who help each other bring their talents to different projects
- Advanced certifications: Optional postgraduate credentials that can help individuals deepen and highlight their skills in areas such as graphic design, project management, or design thinking
Art Director Salary and Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median art director salary was $106,500 in 2023. The agency expects employment in this occupation to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032. Education level, portfolio quality, and professional networks are among the factors that can affect salaries for art directors.
Visualize Your Future
If you’re looking to take a step toward a high-level career in the entertainment industry, look no further than one of the nation’s top schools for music, film, and television. The Master of Arts in Entertainment Industry Management degree program from the Tseng College at California State University, Northridge, can help you develop the skills and knowledge you’ll need to become an art director on a TV or film set.
