Is being an Art or Creative Director fun?

Augustus Sarria: You write "l don't want to be in a band class." "My band teacher wants me to take a band class" Whose life is it, anyway? You strike me as a bright young woman and you are so right to consider preparation for your future. You are correct about Spanish, it is better preparation for a top college and for other opportunities. You are in a vulnerable position because you will find many teachers will want you in their class for their own benefit. Just imagine what it's like teaching dummies who couldn't care less, so all are eager to enroll a good motivated student. Keep that in mind when you make your choices. Think of what is best for you, not anyone else. If you can find a school counselor you like that person can also help you make the best decisions for yourself....Show more

Raleigh Lufkin: An art director oversees the art, i.e. the photographs and drawn images, that appear in newspapers, magazines, ad campaigns and on book covers. An art director i! s usually the person who oversees the entire design department, working with photo editors and editors to coordinate what images will match up with what words. Most art directors have degrees from art schools, where they’ve studied graphic design, photography and drawing. (A background in graphic design is usually essential for most art director jobs today.) "I worked my way up from Jr. designer to senior designer to art director. It took about 6 years and 1 company move. It's been my experience that you are promoted to art director, and not hired as one out of school. I achieved this by working long hours, showing initiative, agonizing over details, taking responsibility, supervising others, earning the trust of my supervisor, and showing a genuine desire for the company's success, as well as coming up with ideas that are sensitive to the needs of the client/project as well as being creative (notice how creative is near the end of the list--it's not all glamour, it's har! d work)."also:Ability to translate marketing strategy into per! suasive layouts, logos and packagingStrong background in designWillingness to work long hoursExperience with Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Flash, QuarkXpress, PowerPoint and other programsHTML, PHP and other Web experience is often requiredAbility manage a project from concept through production, in multiple mediaenjoy ability is important...it keeps you from hating your job..however...this job requires more technical art than visual art....Show more