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The differences between group creative 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 a group creative director and a freelance art director. Additionally, a group creative director has an average salary of $237,604, which is higher than the $85,453 average annual salary of a freelance art director.
The top three skills for a group creative director include client relationships, creative direction and business development. The most important skills for a freelance art director are photography, strong work ethic, and creative development.
| Group Creative Director | Freelance Art Director | |
| Yearly salary | $237,604 | $85,453 |
| Hourly rate | $114.23 | $41.08 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 17,927 | 9,215 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 84% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
Group Creative Directors are responsible for leading the creative vision of a product or service for an organization. Their duties include creating promotional or advertising campaigns, conducting creative strategy presentations to management, liaising, participating in client needs negotiation, and developing creative storyboards. They are responsible for assessing project content, overseeing brand visuals, and monitoring project progress. Group Creative Directors also supervise writing scripts, direct TV and photoshoots, and facilitate external supplier engagements. They help in the recruitment process of the creative team.
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.
Group creative directors and freelance art directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Group Creative Director | Freelance Art Director | |
| Average salary | $237,604 | $85,453 |
| Salary range | Between $130,000 And $433,000 | Between $51,000 And $142,000 |
| Highest paying City | Chicago, IL | - |
| Highest paying state | Illinois | - |
| Best paying company | Golin | - |
| Best paying industry | Media | - |
There are a few differences between a group creative director and a freelance art director in terms of educational background:
| Group Creative Director | Freelance Art Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 84% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between group creative directors' and freelance art directors' demographics:
| Group Creative Director | Freelance Art Director | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.4% Female, 21.6% | Male, 59.1% Female, 40.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 7.5% 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% |