A digital art director is a highly creative person whose know-how is essential in the production and distribution of art and culture projects. They play several key roles for a cultural project or event to take place. Here is the essential information about this profession:
What Does the Job of Digital Art Director Involve?
In recent years, new art forms based on the use of digital technologies have developed and present themselves as works of art: computer-generated images, interactive installations… The digital art director is a professional who puts their creativity forward to take part in producing these works or to build an attractive and intelligible digital visual communication strategy. Here are some of the tasks that fall to this profession at the crossroads of technology and art:
- Meeting with project leaders who want to plan the communication for their project;
- Ensuring the graphic consistency of a communication plan is put into shape using a sketch or a mockup;
- Convincing others and defending your graphic and visual vision and choices;
- Supervising the technicians who carry out the work (illustrators, graphic designers, photographers, web developers…);
- Creating communication tools (logo, web, digital pieces, print materials…);
- Creating an overall visual identity for the project to be communicated
- Working with the editorial team.
The Skills Needed to Work as a Digital Art Director
To work as an art director, several skills are needed. Those interested will in particular have to:
- Having a lot of creativity and showing innovation;
- Having knowledge of art history, graphic design history, digital art and good general knowledge;
- Having good intuition and powers of observation;
- Having solid knowledge of digital communication and marketing;
- Having good interpersonal skills;
- Having good adaptability;
- Mastering the various computer tools and software;
- Being rigorous and versatile;
- Being curious and following new trends.
The Field of Practice of a Digital Artistic Director
This creative professional works mainly for a communications and advertising agency. They can also offer their services to media companies, publishing houses and any business or institution needing a visual communication strategy.
What Training to Become a Digital Art Director in the Field of Art and Culture?
To train for the art director profession, IESA offers programs aimed at acquiring dual culture and communication expertise, allowing learners to work either in communication for the cultural sector or in other sectors, bringing their cultural knowledge into the communication strategies they propose.
Post-baccalauréat programs (Bachelors/bachelor’s degrees/Bac+3)
IESA’s Bachelors are 3-year programs that can be joined after obtaining the baccalaureate in order to prepare for the profession of digital art director.
Students can start professional experience alongside their classes at IESA thanks to work-study from the 2nd year.
The Bachelor in Communication and Culture
This program in cultural communication leads to the level 6 certification registered with the RNCP: Communications Officer.
These skills are grouped into three blocks:
- Develop the internal and external communication strategy,
- develop a communication system,
- manage a communication project.
This degree develops skills in communication and digital marketing for communication agencies, artists, and cultural institutions.
The Bachelor in Cultural and Creative Industries
This Bachelor also prepares students for the career of Digital Art Director. By joining this program, you will be able to support artists and cultural institutions in setting up their communication strategies with a view to promoting their artistic events to the widest possible audience.
After earning your 3-year Bachelor, you can continue your education with a Master to become a skilled Digital Art Director.
Master program to become a Digital Art Director
The Master in Cultural Communication Strategy is a 2-year program open with a Bac+3 that trains students to define digital communication and marketing strategies. This professionalizing master gives students a solid knowledge of technological innovations and of the evolution of digital practices and uses.
IESA admission requirements
Registration goes through 4 steps:
- Apply via the application form or the online application;
- An admission interview: conducted through an individual interview or an admission session;
- An admissions committee deliberates to admit the student or not;
- An enrollment file to be submitted once the student is admitted.
Upon receipt of the application file, the admissions department contacts the candidate for an admission session or an individual appointment.
IESA’s 3-year Bachelors are intended for students holding a Baccalauréat. Students holding a validated Bac+1 or Bac+2 can join the program in the 2nd or 3rd year through lateral admission procedures.
The 2-year Masters are intended for those with a Bachelor or bachelor’s degree. It is possible to join these programs directly in the 2nd year if you hold a Bac+4.
What Is the Salary of a Digital Art Director?
The pay of a digital art director depends on experience. At the start of their career, they will earn about €2,500 gross per month. After working for several years as an art director and delivering services that meet their clients' demands, they can aim for more senior positions in different fields.
What Career Progression Is There for a Digital Art Director?
A digital art director can work in film, television, the press… They can also work for a larger company on an international scale.
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