Task - Week Seven

An Art Director has a vast array of everyday jobs, but their key role is to monitor the visual outcome of the game they're directing for. They have to keep track of and break down the art related production tasks, and manage people as well as game assets. They have a responsibility to help mentor less experienced team members, and monitor the consistency of any outsourced art.

In itself it doesn't appear to be a very creative role in a project. The Art Director rarely works on assets or art for the project, and is mostly in charge of managing other people's art within a project. This is limiting, as in most companies Art Director is the top of the art career path, and without moving across to the programming path (which also ends in a managerial position) this is the only position available at that level. Some people wouldn't be happy with the move away from art, and into managing people.

Art Directors have to be good with people. They have to be well organised, keeping track of who's doing what and where its going when its finished. They have to know how to motivate people, and how to offer criticism well. Criticism is often taken the wrong way, when it can be very helpful. Mostly they have to love their job, and have a genuine enthusiasm for what they're doing. There are long working hours involved, and the sort work required takes a lot of dedication. They have to not need a lot of sleep to function well, too.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/jobs/perpetual-entertainment/north-america/art-director-id4218
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