Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between art directors and freelance art directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an art director and a freelance art director. Additionally, an art director has an average salary of $88,367, which is higher than the $85,453 average annual salary of a freelance art director.
The top three skills for an art director include graphic design, art direction and creative concepts. The most important skills for a freelance art director are photography, strong work ethic, and creative development.
| Art Director | Freelance Art Director | |
| Yearly salary | $88,367 | $85,453 |
| Hourly rate | $42.48 | $41.08 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 11,472 | 9,215 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
An art director's duty will vary depending on the line of industry involved. However, most of the responsibilities will revolve in taking charge of the artistic direction and decisions in a project or campaign. Most of the time, it is an art director's call to conceptualize and bring a vision to completion and take the lead in coordinating with various artists and creative staff. Furthermore, an art director must oversee the progress of workflow and workforce, develop plans and strategies, and approve or provide suggestions in every creative output from staff.
As a freelance art director, you will work hand-in-hand with the production designer to procure works of art for your organization. Note that your duties will depend on your particular industry. Generally, though, you will determine the artistic tone of various projects and use visuals to give life to magazines, websites, ad campaigns, and lots more. You may also lead a team of artists, evaluate the art, and approve copies. In this role, it is very likely you will work for an advertising agency, publisher, or media production company.
Art directors and freelance art directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Art Director | Freelance Art Director | |
| Average salary | $88,367 | $85,453 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $135,000 | Between $51,000 And $142,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | Washington | - |
| Best paying company | The Walt Disney Company | - |
| Best paying industry | Technology | - |
There are a few differences between an art director and a freelance art director in terms of educational background:
| Art Director | Freelance Art Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between art directors' and freelance art directors' demographics:
| Art Director | Freelance Art Director | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 57.4% Female, 42.6% | Male, 59.1% Female, 40.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 7.8% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 7.6% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |