A person with innate creative ability, management skills, and knowledge of various interactive media software is required to work as an interactive art director. In most cases, a successful interactive art director will also have a four-year college degree, with a master’s degree a plus. Furthermore, extensive experience in web advertising or digital media is frequently required. Being an effective manager, working well as part of a creative team, and being able to communicate creative ideas and concepts to others are all important.
The creation of web pages, animation, and electronic advertising media that engages the viewer directly and sometimes requires a response falls under the category of interactive art. More competitive companies are discovering that attempting to engage and attract website viewers into purchasing products is the best use of their advertising budgets. Most interactive art directors begin their careers in more traditional advertising fields, such as graphic design for print materials, and then progress to electronic media as their skills improve and their companies require creative designers with this knowledge and skill set.
Although there are few degrees that are specifically tailored to the field of interactive art, there are some that provide a useful background for a career in interactive art. A four-year degree in fine art, graphic design, or advertising is recommended for anyone interested in becoming an interactive art director. While a master’s degree is not always required, it is often a requirement for many jobs and will set a job candidate apart from the competition.
A job candidate’s education will often get them a foot in the door at a creative firm. An interactive art director, on the other hand, is a management position. A creative professional must often work her way up in the field for several years before becoming an interactive art director, gaining skills, knowledge, and experience along the way. With the right contacts, a job candidate with a master’s degree can sometimes land a position as an interactive art director right out of college.
To work as an interactive art director, you’ll need a specific set of skills and knowledge. Clearly, an interactive art director must be innovative, resourceful, and capable of managing people. Problem-solving skills are essential, as is the ability to visualize a project from concept to completion and identify steps to bring that vision to life. A successful interactive art director should be well-versed in a variety of interactive software packages and programming languages, as well as possess excellent computer skills in general.