A Day in the Life of an Art Director

Working as an art director is quite different in a remote world, but it's still possible. Here, I show what a typical day is like for me.
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[@richalexander1138]

Such a sick job, love that it allows your to take pause and process your creativity. It probably is a huge benefit to avoiding burnout. Thanks for showing us your process

[@tirsogamboa]

Absolutely! I'm grateful every day that I get to do what I love. Are you an art director yourself or in the design field? Let me know if I can help in any way.

[@richalexander1138]

@@tirsogamboa just got hired as one! I was an editor/motion graphics artist before so any video recommendations/books to transitioning would be a huge help :)

[@juliocarranza1416]

0:40 This path is what the designer created, but this is the path the user needs. mind blown! Thanks for the valuable content

[@tirsogamboa]

This makes me so happy! Thanks so much ❤️

[@fermypoo]

currently working towards a Creative Director career and this was such a cool insight into the job! thank you

[@AttnBusyMoms]

This is great insight into your life and workday! I used to live on a way/62, so nice to walk to Central Park!

[@KiokeeOfficial]

awesome video! I'm currently in school and struggling with what I want to do in life. Seeing how things may turn out when I finally get to where I am headed is a nice blanket of reassurance!

[@tirsogamboa]

This makes me so happy!! Just enjoy the journey, you’ll get there! ❤️

[@confuciusme]

Loved watching this Tirso! Thank you for sharing your day in the life :)

[@tirsogamboa]

Thank you Beccy!

[@AndreyEvermore]

This is awesome! I went searching for something like this because I am interested in becoming an art director. It’s nice to get view of what it’s like

[@leximo_]

Genuinely thank you for this. I'm going into my second year of college and I'm struggling to figure out which direction I want to take in the art field. I appreciate having insight into a possible everyday!

[@tirsogamboa]

Definitely try different areas to see what you enjoy, but also to know what you don’t enjoy. Just keep at the journey and see where it takes you. You got this! Let me know if I can help in anyway

[@maheenshaukat]

More of this content, i love it!!

[@tirsogamboa]

Thank you! I’d love to do more blogging style videos. It’s a little tricky with my current job, it I’ll try!!

[@nidhioza300]

Good insight into the role of an art director. I am a graphic designer mainly doing layout design and looking for a way to get a job in editorial or publishing field. Do you have any tips?

[@tirsogamboa]

Hi Nidhi, welcome to channel! I always promote that you should showcase the work that you want to do. Not sure what kind of layout design you’re doing, but let’s say a magazine you want to work for does a lot of product pages. It would be great for you to show some product pages in your portfolio. If they do a lot of experimental typography, then you should showcase some of that as well. Another option is to redesign your own version of their pages. Hope this helps!

[@MikeBSalazar]

The tennis though. What a boss! Thanks for sharing man! Keep it up!

[@tirsogamboa]

Always make time for tennis! ❤️

[@DamianMathew]

This actually seems pretty fun ngl, thanks for the insite!

[@tirsogamboa]

Thank you for watching. It’s so much fun! I love being a designer ❤️

[@kat.ex3909]

Considering working towards getting this role, I wanna do what makes me happy

[@tirsogamboa]

That’s awesome! The best careers are the ones you enjoy doing. ❤️

[@marcellaaccardi-sanders1969]

now for a quick tempura?!? 😄You're amazing!

[@DementiaDoc]

Fabulous!!

[@Z08_]

Dope video, I'm Looking into the career as we speak

[@stefanielle982]

Really cool I enjoyed this both informationally and aesthetically :)

[@tirsogamboa]

Thank you so much!

[@rsbharadwaj]

Great job on the video, can't wait to see your channel grow :) I love how much natural light you have streaming into your home

[@tirsogamboa]

Thank so much!! More content to come for sure. The windows are a blessing and a curse. Maybe I should do an apartment tour? 🤔

[@imani828]

so cool! subbed!

[@tirsogamboa]

Awesome! I wish I could do more vlogs. It’s just tough as a solo creator. Thank you for subscribing 🙏

[@chasitiafroditi8713]

I enjoyed your video, thank you for sharing! Do you have any tips on what college courses would be helpful, in order to become an art director?

[@tirsogamboa]

I get this question often. The recommended route is to be a graphic design major and take all classes in the curriculum (typography, layout, studio, interaction design, etc). That’s not always possible if you’re not a design major, but take as many of those classes as you can and just build a portfolio. At the end of the day, all you need is a strong foundation in design and a portfolio to showcase those skills!

[@ericayoung3571]

Hi! I graduated a little over a year ago with an architecture degree. I was able to gain experience in graphic design as the two fields often overlap. I work at a firm currently as a architectural designer but am interested in becoming an art director. Just found your channel and it is insightful but any advice on transitioning into this field?

[@tirsogamboa]

I would focus on the portfolio and how you present it to possible employers. You'll want to choose projects where you can talk about how you came up with the concept and executed it through the design. It's a little tricky because the conversation is a little bit more top-level, but I would say the problem/solution approach is more common. Hope this helps!

[@HasanKubba]

😍

[@SincerlyTokyo]

Amazing video! I have a question I always wanted to be an art director but I haven’t been able to think of a path towards it although i do alot of digital art(photoshop art,cover arts,illustration),press kit design for musicians,ui/ux and a little bit of photography but i find it hard to make my way towards an art director career do you have any tips or ideas that could help me out?

[@tirsogamboa]

I'm sorry I missed this... I always recommend shifting into graphic design first and then working your way to becoming an art director. They go hand in hand. If you can master both, you can then shift into creative direction. I know that's not the easiest transition from other industries, but it does guarantee success in a design career. I have a video on the areas people should focus on that mimics the curriculum of design school (kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6ickoGln9lkb5I). This channel is my attempt to bridge the gap between designers that went to design school and those who are self-taught. Getting up as much content as I'm able to.

[@roxfeern]

Omgg I love this video! But, I have a question. What career did you study?, you really inspire me a lot x

[@tirsogamboa]

Hi Rox, glad you’re finding the content helpful/inspirational! I studied graphic design in university and started working in magazine publishing after. I’ve been in the industry since then.

[@nipuniverse]

Loved this! Silly q - which software were you using when you added that walmart bag?

[@tirsogamboa]

Great! We were using Capture One, which seems to be what most photographers use to see the photos in live time. Since I was remote, we did a screen share through a zoom link.

[@bagzbaggyking]

just wondering on how much you make monthly/annualy?

[@1710justine]

Do you need a bachelor degree in fine arts only or was there others you can major in?

[@tirsogamboa]

Hi Justine! Welcome to the channel. A BFA in graphic design is the most common and will give you the biggest advantage for working in the industry. However, it’s simply a matter of getting the education for design. So if you major in fine art and take enough design classes, you can still build a portfolio! Not sure which stage you’re at, but linking a video I did on design school that may be helpful: Is a Graphic Design Degree Worth It? kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6ickoGln9lkb5I Feel free to drop any other questions!

[@Tt-wm1ze]

we want more :)

[@tirsogamboa]

I’m working on it. Started a new job a couple months ago and trying to get myself organized again. I promise, there will be more!

[@Tt-wm1ze]

@@tirsogamboa Congratulations! Okay I am waiting eagerly ! Had a question as well to become AD do you have to be really good in drawing to land a job?

[@tirsogamboa]

@@Tt-wm1ze Not at all! Planning to do a video on what eat position entails (designer, senior designer, art director, creative director, etc.). Art direction in magazine publishing is mostly about concepting and how photographs relate to the design. It entails directing a lot of photoshoots, which is my favorite part of the job. I'm a creative director now, so it's similar, but I have to take into consideration the business aspects as well.

[@Tt-wm1ze]

@@tirsogamboa I will send you message over email thank you so much for the help :)

[@kfclives4226]

Hi, I'm 17 and looking for a future career, and I wonder how much money do you make?

[@majesticx3965]

I need help,,I’m 17 and a senior in high school I’m passionate of art and want to explore all types of arts, should I major in graphic design? Or would a more. Artistic major? My dream is to be an art director

[@tirsogamboa]

Hi, welcome to the channel! I would say that graphic design is the more traditional route and will also make the career path easier. I’ve found that without that foundation, you end up having to do more work transitioning into graphic design anyway. Keep up the passion. A career in the creative world is a beautiful thing! ❤️

[@vvbhat]

nice

[@Sarkos225]

what did you major in? some major in art and other art directors majored in advertising

[@tirsogamboa]

I was a graphic design major. There is some overlap and I know some advertising majors will also take graphic design courses. What I would say is, if you have your heart set out to pursue advertising, you'll be exposed to the different areas of advertising for you to choose the direction (copy, creative, marketing, etc.) If you want something more design-based, a graphic design degree will set the foundation for you to pursue different industries through design (ad agencies, brand design agencies, magazines, newspapers, UX/UI, etc.)

[@nirajchaure4115]

I just completed my graduation and want to start a career in art director what are the basics thing u will suggest? As i am fresher so i am thinking of a internship to boost my experience.

[@tirsogamboa]

Internships are great, but if you’re graduated, hoping you can find an entry level position. I always recommend going the traditional graphic design route and then shift into art direction after. It will make you more marketable and open up other opportunities later on. Hope this helps and good luck! 💪💙

[@swathilakshmi880]

sir, how do you become an art director ?which course u studied?

[@tirsogamboa]

Hi Swathi, I studied graphic design. The typical path to an art director is to start out in design and then work your way towards more top-level design, which is art direction. There are instances where designers go straight into art direction, which is more common in advertising.

[@alessandracelebre955]

Really interesting. I would like to know what you should study to become an art director? :)

[@tirsogamboa]

I always recommend going the graphic design route. It's the most common and it really sets you up for success to become an art director!

[@DancingDeity]

I just started working as a strategist at an ad/media agency in NY and I'm already tired of looking at spreadsheets. It's uninspiring. I'm new to the industry but I'd much rather be doing this type of work at a creative agency. I don't have graphic design training, but I do have familiarity with Adobe creative suite, including Adobe XD. I am artistically inclined, not mathematical. Any tips on carving out a path from media to creative? I've thought of Ad school but don't wanna shell $$

[@tirsogamboa]

Hey there, welcome to the channel! I hear this often. It would be hard for me to say go full on Ad School, but maybe consider continuing education? If you’re already at an agency, I wonder, if you have a relationship with the creative team, are you able to learn things while working there. Truly the all you need to get a design job is a portfolio and some experience. How you get them, doesn’t really matter. Happy to chat more if you’d like! There’s a link for a free mentoring session in the description.

[@adamelmalki5745]

Do you design product catalog?

[@tirsogamboa]

hi Adam! I haven't designed a full product catalog, but I've worked on an extensive amount of still life shoots across editorial and branded content. Perhaps I can cover the art direction for product still lifes?

[@steveaves4635]

hello, are you a Filipino?

[@tirsogamboa]

Yes I am! 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭

[@sidneyrago]

and for this you getting payed?

[@tirsogamboa]

yes! The goal is to be able to live off of your passion.

[@roxfeern]

Omgg I love this video! But, I have a question. What career did you study?, you really inspire me a lot x

[@tirsogamboa]

Thank you! I studied graphic design in college. After college I was able to get a job in magazine publishing for fashion editorial and I’ve been in the industry since! ❤️ are you looking to pursue design?

[@jamiemalobago5656]

@@tirsogamboa where did you study?

[@tirsogamboa]

@@jamiemalobago5656 I went to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign