How to Become a Creative Director

With various trends in the global market, organizations have had the need to add many new job positions.… The post How to Become a Creative Director appeared first on Leverage Edu.

How to Become a Creative Director

How to Become a Creative Director

With various trends in the global market, organizations have had the need to add many new job positions. Business depends on multiple factors, one of them being created. How appealing is a design or a project? Will people get your attention? What do people like? How can we sell our products aesthetically? These are some of the basic questions that one thinks of when marketing their product. An important part of the creative team is the creative director. In this blog, we will extensively go through the requirements of how to become a creative director. 

Credits: Philip VanDusen

Who is a Creative Director?

Creative directors are in charge of the direction at an advertising agency or in-house for a company’s marketing department. They collaborate with the creative team to develop, plan, and execute a strategic vision for their clients. Creative directors are in charge of advertising strategy, overseeing the full creative process, and leading the team that reports to them. Art directors, copywriters, and designers form the creative team. 

What Does a Creative Director do?

Below are the roles and responsibilities performed in order to how to become a creative director: 

  • The creative director plans the layout and visuals of printed and digital publications, products and advertisements. 
  • Hiring and managing the creative team.
  • Creative directors are responsible for if they work at an agency, they will propose a concept in front of the client, and if they work in-house, they will give a presentation in front of the director.
  • Create and maintain a vision for your company’s products and branding. 
  • Choosing a visual representation for ideas and messages
  • Creating and implementing a stylebook for a publication, product, or campaign
  • Making designs for customers, marketing or advertising agencies
  • Managing and encouraging a team of graphic designers, editors, artists, photographers, web designers among other designers. 

Skills Required 

Individuals that work as creative directors are naturally creative. They must be well-organized and self-assured in their capabilities. To be successful, creative directors must have the following abilities: 

  • Artistry: Creative directors must be able to picture a design or a campaign and have unique ideas. They should be able to deliver a company’s or client’s message or information in a visually appealing and meaningful manner.
  • Leadership: Creative directors oversee a project from start to finish, managing and instructing a team of artists and creative professionals. They should encourage their employees to be creative and come up with unique designs.
  • Interaction: A creative director’s vision for a project must be communicated. They must also work well with other departments and professions, as well as pay great attention to the design goals of employees and clients.
  • Time Management: Creative directors are responsible for meeting deadlines and managing many projects at the same time. They should be able to multitask well while keeping their crew and designs on track.

Also Read: Career as a Fashion Blogger

Steps on How to Become a Creative Director

To be hired in this managerial role, creative directors must have at least a bachelor’s degree and relevant experience. They should have a solid portfolio and be knowledgeable about print, digital platforms, and software. The following are some of the steps to becoming a creative director: 

Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree 

The majority of creative directors complete a four-year bachelor’s degree in graphic design, art, marketing, or communications. They can pursue visual communication and digital or graphic design courses during this period to lay a strong basis for their creative professions.

Acquire Some Work Experience

After earning a bachelor’s degree relevant for becoming a creative director, it is always suggested to gain work experience. You can work as a graphic designer, photographer, videographer, editor, marketer, advertising agent, and other comparable roles to attain design experience. 

Create a Portfolio

While getting professional experience, creative directors should also build their portfolios. A portfolio is a collection of work from your career that best reflects your capabilities and approach.

Seek a Master’s Degree 

While a master’s degree is not essential to work as a creative director, it does demonstrate to firms that you are dedicated to your area and to improving your abilities and expertise. A master’s degree may also provide you with an edge over other creative director applicants, allowing you to compete for higher-paying positions. 

Update Your CV/Resume

With sufficient education and work experience, you can apply for a job as a creative director for a media, an advertising or marketing company, or any other company that needs someone to supervise images and design.

Top Degree Courses 

If you wish to work as a creative director, you might be wondering what degrees you’ll need. Here are some of the degrees you can consider: 

Graphic Design 

  • BFA. in Graphic Design
  • B.Des in Graphic Design
  • B.Des in Visual Communication and Graphics
  • B.Sc in Data Visualization
  • BA (Hons) Graphic Design
  • BA (Hons) in Graphic and Communication Design
  • MA in Graphic Design
  • MA in Communication Design & Information Design Pathway
  • MFA in Graphic Design
  • Master’s in Information Design & Strategy

Advertising/Marketing

  • B.Com in Advertising and Brand Management
  • BA Advertising and PR
  • Bachelors in Media Management
  • Diploma in Advertising and Marketing Communication
  • Diploma in Advertising (Public Relations and Business Studies)
  • Diploma in Public Relations and Advertising 
  • MBA in Advertising Management

Fashion Design 

Journalism 

  • Bachelor in Journalism and Mass Communication
  • Bachelor of Journalism 
  • BA in Mass Media
  • BA in Journalism 
  • BA in Convergent Journalism
  • Bachelors in Sports Journalism
  • BA Journalism & Communication
  • MA in Mass Communication and Journalism]
  • Masters/MA in Journalism
  • Masters in Photojournalism
  • PG Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication
  • MA in Multimedia
  • PG Diploma in Radio and TV Production
  • Masters in Communication

Must Read: Explore a Professional Career in Model Photography!

Top Universities 

Given below is the list of top-ranked design universities across the globe: 

Employment Areas

Creative directors operate in a variety of fields. A creative director’s abilities are required by any company that has to be visually appealing or have a strong brand presence. These are some of them: 

  • Newspapers and Magazines
  • Advertising Agencies
  • Public Relations Companies
  • Museums
  • Web Design Agencies
  • Movie and Television Studios
  • Gaming Studios 
  • Marketing Consultants
  • Recording Industry
  • In-house Creative Directors 

Average Salary of a Creative Director

Creative directors can earn a lot of money because they work in managerial positions. Directors with good portfolios and expertise designing projects for a variety of media, including digital, may have more career opportunities and income potential than directors who are less experienced or versatile.

  • Average Salary in the US: $76,726 (INR 57 Lakh) per year
  • Average Salary Range: $14,000 – $1,98,000 (INR 10 Lakh – 1.47 Cr) per year

Qualification

A bachelor’s degree in graphic design, marketing, or a similar discipline, as well as 7-10 years of experience, are required for creative director training. Graphic design, graphic art, or marketing could all be good majors for a creative director. These individuals should have managerial experience as well as excellent interpersonal abilities. Graphic design and publication design software are frequently covered in creative director training. 

Documents Required

Application Process

Here is an overview of the step-by-step application process for a list of universities offering advertising courses abroad:

  1. Visit the official website of the university.
  2. Check the course curriculum and the eligibility requirements.
  3. Click on the application form of the respective university.
  4. First, you need to create an account using your mobile number or email address.
  5. You will receive an email or SMS on your registered contact number with login details and verification.
  6. Use the login details provided and enter your personal details ( name, gender, date of birth).
  7. Enter your academic qualification and upload the required documents.
  8. Select the course and pay the application fee.
  9. The application fee is different for every university and can be paid through a debit/credit card or internet banking.
  10. Submit your application form, you can also track your application form through your account.
  11. Students that have been selected will be required to attend a virtual interview by some universities.

This was all about how to become a Creative Director! If you got inspired and are motivated to plan your studies in the top design universities abroad, Leverage Edu experts can help you in making your dream come true. Sign up for the 30 minutes of free counseling session on 1800572000 today!

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