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Alamo Colleges DistrictCareer Explorer

Art Directors

Part of Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications, in the Visual Arts pathway.

Job zone 4: considerable preparationO*NET 27-1011.00

What the work is

Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. Direct workers engaged in artwork or layout design.

On a typical day

  • Formulate basic layout design or presentation approach and specify material details, such as style and size of type, photographs, graphics, animation, video, and sound.
  • Review and approve art materials, copy materials, and proofs of printed copy developed by staff members.
  • Manage own accounts and projects, working within budget and scheduling requirements.
  • Confer with creative, art, copywriting, or production department heads to discuss client requirements and presentation concepts and to coordinate creative activities.
  • Present final layouts to clients for approval.
  • Confer with clients to determine objectives, budget, background information, and presentation approaches, styles, and techniques.

What it pays

$81,730
Median pay per year, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX metro
New workers start near $47,680
Experienced workers reach $157,750
  1. $48k10th
  2. $66k25th
  3. $82kMedian
  4. $102k75th
  5. $158k90th
Wage percentiles: 10th $47,680, 25th $65,890, Median $81,730, 75th $101,540, 90th $157,750

About 90 people do this job in the San Antonio area.

Job outlook

Alamo region (Bexar and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034. U.S. figures from the BLS for comparison.

+12.3%

employment change in the Alamo region, 389 to 437 jobs · U.S. +4%

40

openings a year in the Alamo region, from growth and people leaving · U.S. 12,300

389

employed in the Alamo region in 2024 · U.S. 135,000

Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree · Experience: 5 years or more

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

  1. Active Listening4.0
  2. Speaking4.0
  3. Critical Thinking4.0
  4. Judgment and Decision Making3.9
  5. Reading Comprehension3.8
  6. Coordination3.9
  7. Complex Problem Solving3.8
  8. Time Management3.6

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

  1. High school or less10%
  2. Some college6%
  3. Associate degree5%
  4. Bachelor's degree72%
  5. Master's degree8%

Job zone 4, considerable preparation: Usually a bachelor's degree, sometimes a strong associate plus experience.

Alamo programs that lead here

  • Northeast Lakeview
  • St. Philip's
  1. Digital Art

    Transfer pre-major · Creative & Communication Arts

  2. Digital Arts and Media

    Transfer pre-major · Creative & Communication Arts

  3. Digital Arts and Media

    Transfer pre-major · Creative & Communication Arts

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