art director
Design team lead
An art director oversees the visual style and creative elements of a project—whether in advertising, film, publishing, or other media.
They guide designers, photographers, and other visual artists to ensure a cohesive aesthetic: The art director rejected three concepts before approving the campaign's look.
In film and theater, the art director works under the production designer to execute set designs and visual environments.
- color paletteRange of selected hues
- compositionArranged elements forming whole
- typographyArranging letters for display
- brand identityCompany's distinctive public face
mood board · design language · tone · look and feel · visual hierarchy · layout · graphic design · minimalism
Creates visual communications
- photographerCamera-wielding image maker
- illustratorVisual artist for media
- copywriterCreator of promotional text
- videographerOne who records footage
retoucher · freelancer · collaboration · feedback · revision · delegation · mentorship · hiring
Crafting theatrical environments
- production designCreating a film's visual environment
- costume designCreating performers' period attire
- location scoutingFinding places to film
- cinematographerPerson capturing screen visuals
visual storytelling · mise-en-scène · color grading · period accuracy · world-building · scenic design · film set · shot composition
Paid promotional communication
- marketingPromoting goods to consumers
- brandingCreating distinctive identity
- creative briefStrategic document guiding campaigns
- pitchFrequency of sound
deliverables · assets · rollout · launch · print ads · digital ads · billboard · commercial
Originality driving artistic work
- conceptAbstract mental construct
- innovationCreating something original
- trendsettingInitiating popular movements
- signature styleDistinctive personal approach
big picture · ideation · inspiration · originality · experimentation · risk-taking · boundary-pushing · fresh perspective
Planning visuals before production
- shot listPlanned camera angles document
- visual narrativeStory told through images
- sequenceOrdered succession of elements
- animaticTimed storyboard sequence
continuity · pacing · camera angles · sketch · thumbnail · rough draft · revision
visual style
- color paletteRange of selected hues
- compositionArranged elements forming whole
- typographyArranging letters for display
brand identity · mood board · design language · tone · look and feel · visual hierarchy · layout · graphic design · minimalism · maximalism
graphic designer
Creates visual communications
- photographerCamera-wielding image maker
- illustratorVisual artist for media
- copywriterCreator of promotional text
videographer · retoucher · freelancer · collaboration · feedback · revision · delegation · mentorship · hiring · art department
set design
Crafting theatrical environments
- production designCreating a film's visual environment
- costume designCreating performers' period attire
- location scoutingFinding places to film
cinematographer · visual storytelling · mise-en-scène · color grading · period accuracy · world-building · scenic design · film set · shot composition · pre-production
advertising
Paid promotional communication
- marketingPromoting goods to consumers
- brandingCreating distinctive identity
- creative briefStrategic document guiding campaigns
pitch · deliverables · assets · rollout · launch · print ads · digital ads · billboard · commercial · social media
creative vision
Originality driving artistic work
- conceptAbstract mental construct
- innovationCreating something original
- trendsettingInitiating popular movements
signature style · big picture · ideation · inspiration · originality · experimentation · risk-taking · boundary-pushing · fresh perspective · tastemaker
previsualization
Planning visuals before production
- shot listPlanned camera angles document
- visual narrativeStory told through images
- sequenceOrdered succession of elements
animatic · continuity · pacing · camera angles · sketch · thumbnail · rough draft · revision
- visual designerscharacter designer, prop designer, production designer, illustrator
- advertisingad, ads, ad campaign, ad campaigns, advertising campaign
- creadoresartista, compositor, inventor, copywriter, editor
- creativesartists, painter, painters, illustrators, designer
- designersgraphic designer, web designer, logo designer, brand designer, interior designer
- fashion careersfashion designer, fashion model, stylist, tailor, seamstress
art directorsound designer
Creates production's auditory landscape
composer · music director · copywriter · sound mixer · foley artist
art directorset dresser
Arranges objects on stage
grip · stagehand · production assistant · gaffer · carpenter
art directorproduction manager
Supervisor of manufacturing processes
line producer · accountant · grip · scheduler · technical director
artist, direction, directly, director, artistic, artistry, artful, directed, artisan