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Graphic Design vocabulary · Briefs, Clients & Feedback

Art director

Meaning in graphic design, with examples

/ˈɑːrt dəˌrɛktər/nounCommon term

In graphic design, art director means: A senior creative person who decides the visual style of a project or campaign, guides designers, photographers and illustrators, and makes sure the work fits the idea.

In Turkish: sanat yönetmeni, art direktör

How it is used

A common job title in agencies, magazines and in-house teams, often shortened to AD. An art director usually works in a pair with a copywriter and reports to a creative director.

Example sentences

  1. The art director wants the photos to feel more natural, with less retouching.

  2. After five years as a designer, she was promoted to art director.

Common collocations

  • senior art director
  • work with the art director
  • art director and copywriter
  • art direction
  • feedbackComments and opinions from a client, art director or colleague about a design, telling the designer what works and what should change.
  • conceptThe main idea behind a design and one early version of it shown to the client, explaining how the design answers the brief.
  • portfolioA selected collection of a designer's best work, often with short project descriptions, used to apply for jobs, win clients or enter design schools.
  • pitchA presentation of ideas made to win a new client or project, often in competition with other agencies or studios.

More terms: Briefs, Clients & Feedback

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