graphicpush

This is an excellent analysis of good creative direction. Having only served under one, I have no frame of reference like you do, but my experience falls in line with the bullets outlined in the “places where CDs fall short”.

Great post. You are the man.

Just thought I’d come out of long-time lurking to say another great post, thanks Kevin.

Some thoughts I’d add (perhaps obvious) – along with balancing the marketing with the creative, I’d say it doesn’t hurt to develop a good understanding of business in general, essential in developing an empathy for the client and their needs, and indeed the objectives of the company you work for.

Another skill I tend to admire in CD’s (and anyone) is the ability to present and essentially sell your ideas, whether that’s one-on-one with a client or with a group of stakeholders…

And as always, the communication and people skills are always valuable.

Also really enjoying the new direction GP has taken over the past couple of months. Definitely more valuable, so keep up the good work.

One of the worst things a CD can do is continually bash the client in front of his employees. We all know we have a difficult client, but the kind of negativity that comes from the CD is poison to the department. He seems to think we will thrive on it, and that it will bring us together, but in reality it furthers the rift between the design team and the client, and makes it even more difficult for us to relate to them on any level beyond production hacks.

Excellent and well written. I am a Creative Director in London working for a new media agency and have to point out I giggled at the accuracy of your comments. One thing you neglected to point out is that good creative directors have tended to learn from bad ones. Meaning…they thought to themselves, “when I am a CD I will NEVER treat people or clients like that”. I have had a string of bad CD’s in my trek up the ladder and it certainly taught me more of what NOT to do than what to do.

Hello,

Please pardon the intrusion, but I have a question that I hope you can answer:

I currently work as a Graphic Designer, but I am trying to move to a higher level. In your opinion, what education requirements does a Creative Director need? An MBA? A Masters in Communications? I have tried to find this out online, but it’s not as easy to find as I would have hoped.

thanks so much for your time,

Chris Faith

Hi, I’m also a graphic designer and would like to know what sort of education is recommended in order to become a creative director. I’m thinking of taking a marketing course. also want to know what other titles a graphic designer can pursue if he wants to move up the ladder.

Andres Ramirez

Is there schools to become creative director in Los Angeles ?

Guys there are no formal qualifications you can take. To become a Creative director is a simple steady rise up the ladder. Please don’t waste time or money studying for something that will not speed up the process. Uni courses or costly, time-consuming and are no substitute for actually being in the thick of it. You will just end up with loads of debt and no pratical experience. Experience is the key. When you have more than everyone in the room, it’s time to be a CD. A good CD is a people manager. Lots of UK CD’s seem to completely miss this point and will not hire designers who are better than them. Sad really as if you have a good managerial CD and a group of talented designers you will have a great team.

I’m a CD at a direct marketing firm in Boston, MA. I disagree with Will – having an advanced degree makes a huge difference when it comes to working with marketing departments, production, product managers and/or directly with clients. The ability to “sell” your ideas to upper managment, certainly to marketing who are often decision makers – if not key influencers – largely rests on my ability to understand market-specific analytics. Something that would take MUCH longer to learn through meer trial-and-error.

A good CD indeed must be a good people manager (as everyone who manages people should be expected to be). The difference between a good CD and a great one, is their ability to manage beyond their people – client expectations, marketing and brand expectations, product managers, upper management, and of course projects.

Really enjoyed reading this article. Wholeheartedly agree that there is no one specific formula to being a good CD. I’ve followed an unusual professional path which involved high level client management at a private bank to working as a designer in a video game studio and working in branding and communications for a start-up. In the last 1.5 years I’ve worked as a CD, which surprisingly validates all my experiences in the 8 years prior and obliges me to use every single skill I’ve ever picked up. I especially agree with the point about managing all sides of the coin – a lot of what I do involves keeping my teams, bosses AND clients happy. It’s a tough job, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

My CD left my company about 6 months ago. i have been eyeballed for the position but nothing formal has come of it yet. I am afraid to take the position if it comes my way. I am a designer, and i have seen to great designers end up as a CD and end up being nothing more than a project manager. There is a certain prestige to being a CD, its the pinacle of a designers career. But is it worth it to lose the “designer” in you and be a PM. I could have the job, but dont want to not be a designer anymore. Is that possible? Is there balance for a designer? Or is it either design and do what you love or leave all that behind to oversee other people do what they love.

I am transferring to FIT (nyc) next fall to get my degree in fashion marketing, eventually I would like to become a creative director, in fact, all of the research I’ve done thus far insures me that my talents are well suited for this career path. I would just like to know how all of the current CD’s came to the point they are at. What degrees you have earned and where you started.Any advice would be highly valued.

Thanks!

Looking for some feedback.

I have had the role of CD in a new company as of summer of last year. Before given the title I have had 7 years of industry experiece with graphic design, web with limited exposure to broadcast. I was apointed CD with less than 10 strong in the company and I have yet to have people assigned to me as there is no need at this time. I report to the VP of marketing. At this size, there’s not a strong sense of command chain. We all seem to be working at the same level with no real problems with ego.

This was a huge jump for me in title. However I humble myself knowing that I will have to grow into the position as the company grows. As of right now I am very hands on and functioning as the entire creative department. However as I have read where the company has internal creative, the exec level people, including the president, make final creative decisions. Over my year here, I have produced all blow the line creative and acted as project manager for our online technology initiatives. Personally I do not feel like a CD. I am certainly not paid at a level that is near the national low end (salary.com)for the position but then again I am not exactly doing the work of a CD.

I ask ALL Creative Directors for their opinions on my situation and possibly grant me advice on how to aline myself to the role and move to a pay scale that’s fits the situation without shooting too high too quickly. When should I chime in when it seems like I am not being given ownership of things a CD should have?

Thank in advance.

R

Ryan, there are differing opinions on here with regards to the role and the conclusion is, they all work. No one person can say this works better or that works better. However, you do seem to have a hollow title, as a CD without a team is just a designer with a title. After all, what does the director part mean if not directing. Yet in your situation you have the opportunity to grow a great team beneath you which is a fantastic thing to place on any CV/resume. You can shape and build this as time goes on and watch it grow into a powerful company asset.

If you are acting as the entire creative department then you have sole control of the creative output. If this is not the case then you need to carefully ask why you are called a creative director without throwing around accusations. A simple questions requires a simple answer.

One bit of advice though. Relish this time. Enjoy it. When the team grows and the work increases you will wish you were back doing things on your own. LOL

I am glad to have read this article and all of the comments. I currently work for one of the BIG 4 Fashion Retailers in NYC. I work in interactive and our CD has NO interactive experience. She can only read email and surf the web on a computer, nothing else. No software skills, no design skills, nada. How does a stylist become CD of a hundred million plus interactive department? The worst part is there is no brainstorming, no front-end to back end Information architecture done.

What do you do in this situation? Leave or what? I am fed up with the unprofessional way things are done. I think its time to head back to the agencies for work.

Thanks.

Thank you so much for this post. I am a senior at Indiana University and this past semester I was in a class that had the responsibility to create a student-run advertising agency that would take on paying clients in the community and all over Indiana. The agency, named Agency 7, is now underway. I was elected creative director by my classmates and found your post to be very helpful. I’m obviously a newbie, still in college with no professional experience. Reading about your experiences and what NOT to do is really going to help me as I begin to work with my creative team. Thank you!

AWESOME BLOG!

I am a Sr. Art Director looking to make the jump to Creative Director in the advertising industry. I have been in the industry 12 years. (Freelancing the last 2). Education is always best, specially if climbing the corporate bureaucracy world, but not necessary. Your thoughts and ideas will always speak best. Always amplify your thoughts when presenting and always make someone laugh. Oh yeah, always proof your work! (Of course, I didn’t do that here.)

I believe is easier to move up to Creative Director from within an organization than to jump from an AD to CD from another company. If you hold the title of Creative Director is easier to find employment as CD somewhere else.

This industry is very emotional and subjective. Always listen, and respect ideas because you never who is going to burn you.

Very well said. I am a designer and I have worked under two different CDs who are great designers with big egos, and are not great managers. It’s unfortunate. I DO think that creatives need to be managed differently than accountants … and if they don’t, then I would err on the side of treating the accountant with more respect rather than leading the creative under a dictatorship. It is actually damaging to creatives, year after year, to make them feel as none of them are as good as ONE CD. In the creative field we should all know that ALL ideas are useful, even the “bad” ones.

I suppose I’ve got a bad taste in my mouth based on my experience. Before these two CDs, I worked on teams with superiors who respected us. I have also been an Art Director without a CD above me, and I never once felt like or acted as if I was the only one who could be right.

So, maybe that would be a good trait, the ability to know that much in this field is interpretive, and much is personal taste. Disagreeing with something does not make you right and them wrong, most of the time anyhow.

As a former Creative Director, I live my life by these words below:

If you want something to return to the source,
you must first allow it to spread out.
If you want something to weaken,
you must first allow it to become strong.
If you want something to be removed,
you must first allow it to flourish.
If you want to possess something,
you must first give it away.
This is called the subtle understanding
of how things are meant to be.
The soft and pliable overcomes the hard and inflexible.
Just as fish remain hidden in deep waters,
it is best to keep weapons out of sight. – Lao T.

To succeed in this industry, YOU MUST GIVE YOURSELF (ego) away. Meaning, to drive your team toward success, you need to mentor and guide them. Teach the all that you know, yet keep your confidence in the process. Directing is all about the id. Treat people how you expect to be treated. All will fall into place.

Was there ever any specific advice on what higher education is recommended? Great post.

I was particularly interested in this post because today, I (somehow) landed the position of Creative Director of a small branding company. Congratulations are definitely not necessary because I am so completely underqualified for this job that the company may go up in flames in a few weeks. (Note: I am only 22 years old and this is my first job out of college.) What is the industry coming to?!

this is a great and helpful post besides being entertaining as i was laughing to numerous great tip-offs.

is it strange to still wonder if i apply for creative director role after 10 years? my years of experience (advertising, design house, in-house design, multimedia, freelancing, etc) calls me to reach for creative director but i wonder if i do have what it takes – the heart factor… do i want to give up what i’m doing as a freelancer for creative director’s specific job scope?

anyone to share a thought?

Fantastic article. Have been looking around for the ‘ingredients’ that make a creative director. You are right, no classes to attend. No ground rules. It’s a difficult transition from being a creative to just managing creative (well, for some anyway). I lust for the affirmations just so that I don’t drown in my self-induced ‘fraudulence’ mindset. Thanks.

looking for advice.

Found this article interesting.

At the moment i am planning to do a foundation course in art at a uni in surrey but am not sure where my future lies after that. Im very dyslexic and i have ADHD but am a effective worker and received three A’s in my A levels doing Photography, Art and Music but i am not sure what path i want to stroll down

For those asking about education, I have some thoughts which, again, are anecdotal. From my experience, companies that do not know any better put way too much stock in education. A good creative director position, almost more than any other position I can think of, is earned. It takes years of in the trenches experience, watching campaigns succeed and fail, dealing with brutal client demands, and understanding the greater scope and strategy of the executive team.

That being said, an education in design is probably necessary, because as retarded as it is, that still commands respect with people that don’t understand what creative directors do. Two years probably is not enough; four years is the minimum. A degree in visual arts is good, a minor in business or management is also good.

Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

That last post makes me sweat! I was just promoted to CD after 1 1/2 years with my current agency (2 1/2 years exp. total). Your posts have been great and I feel very fortunate to have such a great opportunity. Thank you all for all of your advice.

I have really enjoyed reading these posts and especially am glad to hear there are others that worry about being frauds. I was just promoted to CD at an agency I have been at for only 4 months. While I am excited and hope I am up to the challenge – it feels like it is coming a little early for me. However, I love client interaction, mentoring and the strategic side of design & copywriting, so I know that it is a position I want. However – I feel the need to brush up on skills to make up for areas that I feel might be blind spots. Can anyone suggest a book that deals well with the subject? I have been in the industry and dealt with clients for about 10 years, but this is my first agency job.

Hugh: I don’t know about any one book that is the panacea for design management education, but I would recommend several different things.

1. Pick a few books on management that look interesting and just read them — chances are you’ll pick up a lot of strategic and tactical tips that will help in a CD position.
2. Visit David C. Baker’s website recourses — there are a lot of articles, books, seminars and more geared specifically to this topic.
3. Read both of David Ogilvy’s books, Ogilvy on Advertising and Confessions of an Advertising Man. Both practical and witty books on design leadership.

Other than that, it really comes down to just doing the job and learning as you go.

Hi, these books veered my creative perspective in life

Leadership and the new science
by Margaret Wheatley

Standing on the shoulders of giants
by Hermann Vaske

Hi there – thank you for an excellent post. I’ve been a self-made designer for a few years now. I’ve also held a marketing manager position for about 3 years – but the difference was that i really wasn’t managing anyone under me – it was more of a hands on creative decision maker and implementor kinda of a role.

I’ve been told that the only path to progress in my career towards being a CD is through education and unfortunately, as mentioned before, I haven’t had any educational qualification in ‘design’.

I see myself more as a ‘jack of all, master of none’ – and despite the positives to that quote, it’s working out quite negatively in my career right now.

I’m really confused as to where to head from here and I’d appreciate it if you could point to some good resources or a loosely based advise on direction?

Thanks:)

I have really enjoyed this posting along with all the comments because I see some of myself echoed in a few.

I started working in design as an intern about 8 years ago at a university and quickly was moved into the title creative direction and then eventually senior creative director.

If you have worked in academia, you know two things. You are surrounded by opportunities to educate yourself and experiment creatively, but the title is not valued equally to commercial industry salary standards.

I wonder how I can, not only bridge the place I am to where I want to be, but I wonder what my next steps are to get a true placement in salary and title based on my real experience and education.

I wondered if any experienced CD’s can share their thoughts on this. Should I start at the bottom or use the management experience I have to try to shoot for a more advanced position? (Assume both instances would be in a commercial industry close to what I am doing now.)

Great posts. I’ve been a CD with two large companies & here’s my advice:

Leadership comes from knowing where you’re going.

Books and management techniques are great, but without a clear plan and milestones in getting there, people will not follow you. As the author says, maturity and experience are key.

If you’re looking to make the leap to a valid CD from AD, there’s two ways:

1. Change companies and pitch yourself as a CD. Tough to get buy-in once you get there.

2. Take big risks. I had to put in lunch hours and late nights at home developing campaigns that launched me to CD. Be prepared to take the heat if it fails and take no credit if it is a huge success. Your supervisors are looking for talent to rise. Don’t complain, be proactive and positive about the work. Don’t fall into the misery clan, there’s no growth there. If there are legitimate complaints, address them to your boss or quit. There’s plenty of bad CDs and VPs out there, its not worth your time staying in a company that won’t grow your talent.

The last component is timing; knowing when to read a situation or opportunity and being prepared to step up and present well thought out solutions.

People will naturally follow you if you bring answers to the table. Once you make CD, get humble and really develop your team, you’ll be nothing without them.

I have been successfully managing a Creative team of 12 for two and a half years now (total 8 yrs creative experience. I believe that I am qualified to be a CD and I’ve been planning to transfer to another company coz I think my boss (CD) will be occupying his seat for a couple more years. However, my dilemma is that I find managing too boring and that I envy seeing my staff just designing everyday of their working lives. Of course CDs are paid more but is it really worth the sacrifice?

I really wanna do hands on but I want it more to be in web design. I am an expert in print and i have taken courses in 95% of the world’s leading graphic/web/multimedia programs. In fact, I had been a training instructor for most. However i never really had the chance to use (hands on) these knowledge coz my work experience since, have been more of managing.

My diverse creative and technical background have been very useful in leading the team coz i understand and know how the functionality of the software can be maximized especially when it comes to web design and development.

Now my question is, do you think companies will accept me as a web designer when obviously I still need a bit of time to hone my skills? I have seen the great work of my staff and they have inspired me with how they create beautiful websites inside (clean codes) and out. I really long to be a designer but i also want to earn more.

As an artist, which direction do you think I should go?

I just want to say that this post has enlivened my spirit again.

I’m a senior PR/Advertising major with a minor in Business. I’ve become pretty well versed when it comes to graphic, web, and layout design and have done several freelance projects for money. For my major, I have to have a praxis, and my internship (in a well known company in Boston) was starting to feel pointless and I was starting to feel resentment towards choosing my major… This blog totally changed all of that and I feel 10x better. I hope to become a great CD someday, but this just really helped me to realize that I have to climb the mountain through whatever weather before I can get to the top of the mountain.

Thank you!

I’m a CD for a small company. My title is CD more for the clients sake than anything else. I have no staff. It helps me work with clients and their artists. My love is 3D animation and virtual worlds.

Now I’m hoping to find a another CD position where I can be involved in bigger projects. I’ve asked myself if I really want to do management, and I think I’m ready.

If anything, my best preparation has been running Soap Box Derby races, empowering the kids to get through the idea that they can build a car, tune it and race it.

So I liked this list. It confirmed a lot of things that I thought and makes me feel that I can be a good CD. Thank you.

I find all of these comments very interesting. I have been in the print production world for about 8 years. I currently am the only designer for a small company, but I feel that I am more of a production manager that also does all the creative stuff. I recently have been looking into creative director positions and am wondering how I should approach something like this. I know I handle management very well and am very confident in my skills. I fix things that come from high end design agencies every day. If anyone has any thoughts on this I would appreciate the input. Thanks.

Isn’t it cool to be able to have a conversation on one topic which lasts for two years with people from all over the world.

amazing.

You could be replying to someone who’s been dead for two years.

think about it.

this is a great post. every great creative director i have met has a good balance of both confidence & patience

This post has better shelf life than SPAM! I truly appreciate the original post and everyone’s feedback, especially the advice from CDs.

I filled a CD role temporarily before returning to a design position. Management of people and expectations (internal and client) is a very difficult ability to hone. After stepping back, I watched two CDs come and go. Both had their merits, but fell short (both due to items pointed out in the Managing Ability section).

Having the year as a CD and then observing more “seasoned” people fill the same role has been a great help. That and the information on this post will be of great value when I make my next run up the mountain.

If I can contribute anything to the post, it would be to set aside fear, grow some thick skin and treat everything as an experience to build upon.

Hi,

I am currently in my final year in college studying commerce, majoring in marketing. I have a very keen interest in advertising as I see myself as being a very creative individual. I am thinking of taking a masters programme in advertising once I graduate and am wondering what would those experienced CD’s make of that as a plan? I would like to see myself as a CD as while I feel I am creative enough to be an art directer, managing others in that area greatly appeals to me.

PS Thanks for all the posts above. This page has been very beneficial for me

The article is great. I think what helps me out also are the comments people have left.
I have been working as a copywriter for almost a year now, and I got the position totally unintentionally because I shared an office with a copywriter who got sacked not long after I came to the company. I have grown to love the job, the only thing is that I currently live and work in Serbia, and the organization and management of the company I work for is definitely horrible.
I’m looking to change firms and at a job interview yesterday, another marketing agency offered me the job of an account manager (I have a University degree in Management, with a Marketing Major). I don’t like account management, and it doesn’t interest me in the slightest, but as this is Serbia, the money is definitely better in that sector.
My question is (and I hope that someone can help me out here)
Can I one day become a Creative Director if I have been working as an account manager in an advertising agency?

I’m 16 years old and I want to become a CD. Im determined, but I’m wondering if it matters how early you get in the game, if so what steps should I take to get there? I also, really know I could handle a managing type job, I someday want to own my own business and hit runways. Would this job help? Or would it just hold me back? I have really high aspiration.

Thanks,

Meaghan

I’m really interested in finding some resources for Creative Directors. Does anyone know of any seminars in the MA area? S.O.S

Louie (and others) — You may want to tune into the forthingcoming Creative Cohort site, which promises to have some content along these lines. I am a contributer, but there will be others as well.

Great article. I’m a creative director myself since 6 years and what really counts at the end is the quality of the work a director have been able to pull from his creatives. Other than that everything, time, management, wisdom, etc are all forgettable and forgivable.

Hello. Im an 16 and I recently just graduated from high school.
I do have a high school diploma.
I did not get a GED.
and i havent applied to any schools yet.
I wish to pursue the career or becoming a Creative Director.
but i cant seem to figure out what degree i should aim for when I do go to college.
I figure that this is a chance to get an early start in life.
Ive heard many make it to being a CD with a Major in Advertising and Marketing.
I dont know which one is better though.
so I cant really make a decision.
I was wondering if anyone could email me the details of what you suggest i should start with as of now.

Thanks,
Ill be waiting eagerly for your reply.
Hannah.

Good stuff here.
Av got a passion for Communications and would like to end up as a Creative director one day.
As a result i have widely studied and practised Design and Film Production.
The problem is i am always Confused on which position to apply for in a Company that is in Design or Film Production as i end up not knowing which among the two has an open position.Most Interviewers do emphasise that i settle for one but i feel if u can do both why not!

Hi,

For an article a few years old, it does hold some vital and timeless truths. I’m a designer of nearly 52, so a bit long in the tooth, and have seen quite few (many) cd’s on my journey. Age has not necessarily been a factor, but simple common sense essential. Surprisingly rare. The best one’s have been marked by balancing strength in demanding and defending high quality, with an innate and deep humility in searching for solutions and in their empathy/dealings with others. They also don’t divorce themselves from common humanity. A great CD has a very measured control on their ego, a complete absence of arrogance, and every one in their team feels valued and motivated. They have a deep knowledge of their field but are confident enough to ask for help when they don’t know something. I’m count my self lucky to have worked with a number of very good ones, and to them I direct my thanks. The crap ones are best forgotten. Being a CD is a precious duty as well as a career achievement.

I learned from a lot of bad Creative Directors!! Well, the first Creative Director gave me the dream of working as one and back then, I was a graphic designer.. bright eyed and bushy tailed. I worked my way up the ladder and learned that staying on top of the latest technology was very important as well as being involved in creative projects and creative people. Learning to rub elbows with higher ups was very important and being involved in scheduling and working with other departments helped as well. I do miss the hands on.. down and dirty mouse action, but I find it rewarding creating, motivation and directing a team to achieve success. My advice to potential Creative Directors is know your worth and know your craft. And measure your contributions with the success of your projects and your employees’ talent. In my opinion, ego has nothing to do with top performance. It’s how well you communicate with clients, cultivate creative talent and combine your knowledge and experience keeping your mind as fresh and innovative.

My experience has been…
Learn everything you can about every aspect of the field You are Interested in, formally in school and on your own. While doing so, find ways to add value to people, teams and agencies. Engender chemistry with management, leaders and people in the business by applying yourself. Since ‘things’ are changing on an ongoing basis, embracing challenges is fun and fulfilling because of the love of your interests – keep knocking until the door(s) is(are) opened. Fantasy and aspiration help motivate, but work on ‘what it stands for’.

This is a great post. I’m a newly appointed Creative Director and was searching for answers on becoming a better CD, the post and the comments have been very inspiring. I’m working in a small business that is in Lao, where the concept of design, advertising and marketing is just developing. So, it has and is a big challenge at the moment dealing with clients and overseeing projects with graphic designers who are also new to design. Reading the post and all the comments have increased my aspirations to get design fully functioning in Lao. Thanks for posting.

I’m a CD at a tv network. I’ve found that the more I manage and surround myself with people that have more talent than I do, the better the product. However, the more I manage, the quicker my own skill set falls off (I’m a designer, not a copy writer). This creates some anxiety for me as I still want to jump in and show those kids the old guy still has it. Well, I’m 38, but you get my point.

The question: at what point do you give it away and focus just on creative strategy, business requirements, and your team’s performance rather than still trying to show that you still have the chops to do the production too.

Does that make sense?

I have a CIW Associate, CIW Proffessional and a master CIW designer qualification.
And I also working as a Graphic designer. I am planning to own my own design consultants business as a creative director.
A CIW (certified Internet Web designer)can make you become a Creative Director or Art director.

http://www.ciwcertified.com/certifications/master-ciw-designer.asp

I hope this is true? just need respond please and advice.

Hi, thanks for all the information. This blog is great! I’m 18 and I’m interested in the advertising field as i would love to be involved in anything that gets my creative juices flowing. However, i have very little clue of what goes on in the advertising industry. I’d like to be one of those people whose job involves the brainstorming of great ideas for an advertisement but I’m not sure what else they do or even their job titles. Do they all have to be designers themselves and know how to design everything from websites to films? Or do they have different tasks for people with different skills? If they have to make a televison commercial, do they hire people to film it or can they do it themselves, even act in it? If you’ve watched The Apprentice, is it something like what those contestants do? Is more of a business(corporative) job or artsy one( to do with creative ideas, designs, film, etc.) *sorry for the last part, I don’t know how to describe it but i hope you get what i meant. I know there’s a lot of question but i really hope someone can reply. It would really be a great help!

As the director of ADFLECT I believe leadership and creative skills can go hand in hand. However, the whole is a learning process and good designers can become creative managers too…overtime. Advertising and Marketing industry is so dynamic that it literally forces designers to ‘reshape’ their skills. Creative Director is an important position when it comes project management because he is also the “public figure” when it comes to the success or failure of a project.

As Chief Creative Officer of the largest and most profitable Search Engine Marketing company in the world, I have but few facts and tips for all people who would love to step up the top of the ladder.

- Find inspiration in EVERYTHING. – LEARN and EARN by experience. – Share most of what you know, but keep the rest by yourself. – Be a people person. – Never-ever decide when you are hot-tempered. – Accept the fact that the top isn’t always the best. – Master the gift of acceptance. – Learn to accept criticism. – Always think TWICE. – LISTEN. – When you know how to follow, people will follow. – Smile even when it is hard to do. Even in emails. – Practice whatever you preach.

As a Creative Director I’d like to offer my 2 cents.
To be one, it takes skill and leadership. If you are aiming to become one, become a good listener, a team player first and follow all directions and produced, and your superior will noticed you. Good leadership thinks of the team first and make sure that they are treated WELL. If you take care of your team, and they will take care of you!. Creative directors should have a combine knowledge of each of his/her team members skills. The team should always be able to find an answer from you! Don’t say:“I don’t know, ask the other team member”, No, but;“I’ll let you know about this later” and research it and find the answer. Because your team is always going to look to you for answers. You always have to keep yourself ahead in the latest design knowledge. A listen and commend you team for their efforts. A good CD keeps his team pumped and motivated all the time, for current and future aspects. You will find out that the team will love coming in to the office to work it you are able to do this!! DON’T OVER WORK THE TEAM. send them home at works end. You will find that they will always respect you if you think about them and have their best interest. AS a body , you are the HEAD, the others are the arms and legs. You can’t afford to devalue any body part, or you will cripple yourself and struggle right along. REMEMBER THAT!

That list at the end, of things CD’s fall short on.

You just described my bosses…

Hi there, im a 3rd year architecture student, and iv recently realised that creative direction would be my ideal job.However after reading these posts it seems that the ‘design’ aspect of the job is centred around graphics/graphic design.I feel strongly that i have these skills, but would an employer look upon my skills as favourably as id like?

Hello

Are CDs responsible for keeping the cost of using freelancers inside the budget of a job?

Many thanks!

S

For the young people that have asked Qs about the type of education they would need: 4 years of Graphic Design, Graphic Communications, Copy Writer/Ad programs. That is only the first step, then you have to become a pro through experience -around 10 years of work experience or equivalent talent.

CD is not a profession on itself, it is a tittle, a higher stage in the creative career.

Hey All

I recently graduated from a UC Berkeley with a degree in poli sci (yes, i know it has nothing to do with advertising),but I finally realized that advertising/being a creative director is what I want to do with my life. I was wondering if anyone would like to mentor me through the process or would like to provide me pearls of wisdom as to where to get started. My e-mail address is tony.suen@gmail.com.

Hey, thank you so much for this post. I am a high school student, but since starting my general business course last year, I have been very interested in a career in marketing. One of the things you mentioned in the list of possible failings of a creative director is that they do not recognize they are only half-way up the ladder. Don’t take this as a stupid question, but what’s above a creative director? I want to climb the chain of command, and knowing now to what levels I want to ascend of that ladder would be fantastic. Are you stuck as a creative director, or can you keep on rising?

This string on the role of a Creative Director has been a good find. I am disappointed only that it has not received further attention from many more Creative Directors over the years, particularly in the last couple of years – at a time when the understanding and expectations of the position are being mightily blurred – leading to the misapplication of the title.

I recently ran across an article at a popular UX Design blog http://www.uxbooth.com/blog/user-experience-designer-vs-creative-director/. The article was sincere and well written. However, I was stunned that the author was comparing the position of Creative Director to the position of User Experience Designer. Even more surprising was the very honest suggestion by the author that the former just may be supplanted by the latter in the modern agency era.

The article certainly gave me pause, and forced me to consider what may be the shape of things to come (or shape of already here) as professionals in the creative space shape their futures. Apparently, gone are the days when one could espouse confidence regarding the function of a Creative Director, an Art Director or a Graphic Designer.