Art Director Responsibilities vs. Designer

[tZ]

What are the main differences between the *universal* responsibilities of a graphic designer in comparison to an art director?

Can a company have a graphic designer without an art director – or does the graphic designer essentially(generally) hold responsibilities similar to an art director in this case – although this may not be their "title"?

thanks

[PrintDriver]

You can always have designers without art directors. I don't think the converse is true.

I have a warped view of what an Art Director does so I won't bog you down with that and let others answer.

[mkb.aus]

I'm a graphic designer and a project manager - a large part of my projects require me to both design and art direct our other designers... to me its a pretty big difference between the two.

[mojoprime]

i'm the only full-time print designer where i'm at, but our web manager and i, along with our director, sort of share the art direction responsibilities in a symbiotic sort of way. it helps to keep everyone thinking about a quality product -- as you know, we designers sometimes (even though we've repeatedly told ourselves not to, do in fact get married to some of the pieces we do. but, often, i'm left to direct the piece, after some brief consultation. in a corporate or in-house environment, it's much easier i think to be without an art director.

[ZippyTheWonderMonkey]

Well, let's just say I'm the graphic designer here above all else (since I'm the only one in-house.)

I am listed in the magazines credits as the GD, but I'm listed in our Media Kit as the Art Director. I have the responsibilities of both since I was also hired to direct the webmaster in what ways he should take with the sight (but since he's the owner of the company he rarely listens.)

The lines between the responsibilities of each have become so blurred to me that I can't tell the difference anymore.

[cjoe]

$s. :)

[budafist]

Can you have art directors without a GD background?

[Ned]

Art Director = High Budget and Disposible
Graphic Designer = Low Budget and a Necessity

[Ned]

Can you have art directors without a GD background?

Yes, I believe you absolutely can. Many Art Directors come from a Marketing Communications background, not Graphic Design.

[tZ]

If the designer is responsible for the complete production of projects then could they be considered an art director? isn't it the art directors responsibility to sign-off and see through a project to final production? Aren't they also mainly responsible for conceptualization and choosen direction – which is then brough to the designer to work from a guidelines? – or do I have this all wrong…

[Ned]

No, you have it right, tZ. The Graphic Designer takes the place of the Art Director when no Art Director is present. However, the Art Director may not be qualified to take the place of the Graphic Designer if there is none present. Which is why I say the Art Director is the disposible one (at least, in the minds of cost-cutting management). ;)

Of course, many graphic designers aren't qualitifed to take over the role of the Art Director, either. But it's cheaper to find another one that can, even if you have to pay him more, then to pay for both positions.

[tZ]

So if there is only one graphic designer present at a company than they are essentially the art director? – I mean who else is going to figure out how to correctly print work or come up with the overall concept for related work? I mean… if a owner or higher up(non-design related) has any questions about production they ask that person – right? – which would in "thoery" make them a AD rather then just a designer? – no?

or

Do does a art director have to manage a team of people on top of the previous responsibilities to be considered an Art Director? – experience dependent? – are so many years in the field required to be considered an Art Director?

[Silence04]

An Art Director is the title that is given to the Manager of the art department. They manage the designers and the department's work load. They often have full creative control and direction if there is no designated Creative Director.

A good AD needs experience for sure; team management, troubleshooting, knowing the all the tools in and out, aesthetics, prepress knowledge, vendor knowledge, teaching skills, leading skills, a good poker face, etc.

Being the only designer for a company may require many of the same duties, but the main difference is the AD manages the employees in the department. You can't be a manager, if you're the only one in the department. ;)

[budafist]

OK, if I'm the senior designer in an art department of 2 and sometimes 3, I delegate all jobs and almost everything goes through me, I liase with the company directors, I order software, hardware and all stock, I troubleshoot, pre press, teach and lead, does that make me the art director?

[ZippyTheWonderMonkey]

OK, if I'm the senior designer in an art department of 2 and sometimes 3, I delegate all jobs and almost everything goes through me, I liase with the company directors, I order software, hardware and all stock, I troubleshoot, pre press, teach and lead, does that make me the art director?

YES! If the majority of your job is technical support and keeping up with current trends along with what you've stated, I feel, you are the AD. Even if your official title is still GD. But that's just me.

[budafist]

YES! If the majority of your job is technical support and keeping up with current trends along with what you've stated, I feel, you are the AD. Even if your official title is still GD. But that's just me.

Art Directors do tech support!? But we pay a tech support company to do that for us.

Or are you meaning a non-computer related kind of tech support?