33 things You Need to Know about Art Direction

One of the most difficult problems that art directors face is to translate desired moods, messages, concepts, and underdeveloped ideas into imagery. During the brainstorming process, art directors, co-workers, and clients are engaged in imagining what the finished piece or scene might look like. At times, an art director is ultimately responsible for solidifying the vision of the collective imagination while resolving conflicting agenda and inconsistencies between the various individual inputs. A coordination among the different professionals in the mentioned areas is wanted, under the supervision of an experienced leader who will decide the last characteristics of the final promotional products in the services companies. The art director activities and responsibility will avoid the possible loops in the development of the products, with some wasting of time and productivity, throughout the statement of some guidelines defining the most suitable features of that products.

3 Never stop

feeding

your mind

6 Don’t polish

turds

Move on

7 Does it

smell?

Smell

Sight

Touch

Sound

Taste

Touch, smell and sight

9 Work with the best

And let

them do their best

11 Take the time

to learn origami

Singapore

USA

15.Grids are good

The Divine

Proportion and

the theory of

composition

PHi – The Golden Section

16 Love type, and learn how

to care

for it

16 Love type, and learn how

to care

for it

17 Join

the design community

20

Inspiration

is all around you

Keep it safe

22

Colour is your

secret

weapon

vibration

motion

emotion

22 Learn the rules

And then how

to break the rules

But don’t

do this

Illegible body copy

Poor photography

Crowed layout

Dominant branding

Confused CTA Over use of colour Negative headline

24 Have another

creative outlet

25 Keep

an eye on

the very

best in online design

26 Avoid these visual cliches

The exception

Always

have the

product on your desk

29 Don’t be afraid

of white space

30 Follow the leaders

31 What

to show

Don

1 Be on time, be enthusiastic and positive Be yourself

2 Your Book:

Begin with a great idea and end with an even better one

3 You’re an Art Director, Presentation is very important

Portfolio vs iBook vs iPad2 (Don is a writer, consider your audience)

4 BE BRUTAL:

Three great ideas, always beats thirty three average ones

5 Turn great ideas, into great campaigns

6 Show a good range of work Multi channel and brands

7 Always adapt your book for your audience and rehearse

your presentation (It really helps)

8 Show at least one fully art directed campaign

9 Talk about your creative interests outside of advertising

10. Listen carefully to all the feedback and

advice Act on the pieces that feel right or you

keep getting

32

Never

forget

‘Big ideas are your last legal means

of an unfair creative advantage.’

33 Love your job