Advertising art director : Career development

Art directors start with their copywriter partner as a junior creative team, probably working on less glamorous campaigns but gaining valuable experience, building up their book and working on a variety of brands. Tenacity, confidence in your ideas and being an enthusiastic team player are essential if you are to progress to be a middleweight art director. This may take about four years - or less if you win awards or work on particularly successful campaigns.

From being a middleweight, you can rise to a senior creative position and then, if you are successful, you could become a creative director. Not all creative agencies have executive creative directors, but the role exists in large, global agencies.

Many advertising agencies now provide an integrated service to clients and career development very much depends on your ability to think conceptually and produce ideas that translate across multimedia platforms. It is important that you understand the possibilities that are offered by internet and mobile platforms as well as traditional media.

Freelance work is available but may be precarious unless you are well established. It may be possible to specialise in your field by focusing on areas such as trade or recruitment.

A common career move for many senior creatives is to set up their own agency. Many also move across into directing adverts, television or cinema.