Art Direction
- Intermediate to Advanced
Most designers know how to execute. Few know how to define direction.
This course teaches you how to turn ideas into clear visual systems, guide creative work across disciplines, and step into a more strategic, direction-setting role.
About This Course
What art direction is and why you should take a course in art direction as a designer or creative.
From Executing to Directing
Most designers are taught how to execute—but not how to define direction. This course focuses on helping you think like an art director: translating ideas into clear visual direction, building cohesive systems, and guiding creative work with intention instead of guesswork.
Built Around Real-World Practice
You’ll work through a series of structured projects that reflect how art direction actually works—from moodboards and brand systems to campaign critiques and a full rebrand. By the end, you won’t just have stronger visuals—you’ll understand how to show your ability to think, lead, and direct creatively.
Who This Course Is For
1
Working Designers Wanting to Become Art Directors or Leadership
2
Design Students Wanting To Specialize In Art Direction
3
Professionals Who Want To Work Better With Designers
4
Freelance Creatives Who Want to Direct Campaigns
What You Will Learn
Think Like an Art Director (Not Just a Designer)
Turn Ideas Into Strong Visual Systems
Build Brands That Feel Distinct and Intentional
Direct Creative Work Across Disciplines
Lead Projects, Teams, and Clients Effectively
Create One Art Direction Project
Unit Breakdown
7
Units
31
Lessons
5
Projects
Unit 1
The Role of An Art Director
Have you ever wondered what an art director does? In a creative team environment, an art director wears multiple hats. In this unit, we will introduce the multifaceted nature of the job of an art director and how it works together with designers.
Unit 2
The Art Direction Process
This unit provides a comprehensive overview of the entire art direction process, from client meeting, to finalizing the creative brief, to communicating with designers, defining key visuals, storytelling and more.
Unit 3
Branding and Messaging
A good art director is an expert at branding and messaging. Unlike designers who are in charge of the look and feel and user experience of the product, art directors will need to help clients define the messaging of the campaign, product and brand. This unit provides a great overview for aspiring art directors to learn more about the branding process.
Unit 4
Art Direction for Different Creative Disciplines
The creative industry has many disciplines. Almost all of them need some form of art direction. This unit introduces 3 disciplines that often work closely with art directors and designers. Students will gain prospective on how to provide art direction for different creative disciplines.
[ 3 more units are hidden ]
Receive the Complete Syllabus via Email
Work With Our World-Class Instructors
Our team of instructors are great at what they do and teach well, too
Stephanie Sell
Product Designer
- Washington, D.C. USA
Jenni Renas
Visual Designer
- Richmond, Virginia, USA
Arnold Kotra
Brand & Visual Designer
- France
Ashley May
Senior Product Designer
- Michigan, USA
Nina Shahriaree
UI/UX & Visual Designer
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
Silvia Script
Senior UI/UX Designer
- Washington D.C. USA
Our Students Work At Top Companies Around the World
What Students Say
Our course has helped designers get to the next level of their career
Eric Abraham Johnson
Senior Designer Turned Art Director at Nike
I work at a small agency as a marketer and wear many hats as a marketer. Our agency had just landed a huge contract with a federal agency, and my boss needed someone to hop on the project as a creative director ASAP. She asked me if I could do it. I thought I’d better!Â
I literally found this course in a panic and I’m so glad I did because otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to transition into this role.
Yael Shapiro
From Marketer to Creative Director at Agency
Kim Cahill
Design Student at University of GeorgiaÂ
Have Questions About this Course?
Enrollment Options
Best Value
Art Direction (Full Program)
$599
one-time
This means you can schedule 5 instructional sessions with your instructor to go over your assignments, ask questions about course content and receive career coaching.
- 5 instructor sessions
- Homework support
- Pay one-time and enroll directly
- Produce 1 project
Low Entry Price
Art Direction (Self-Study)
$299
one-time
This means you don’t have automatic access to instructor sessions due to the lower price but you may purchase sessions as you need for an additional $80 per one-hour session.
- Purchase sessions as you go
- Homework support
- Pay one-time and enroll directly
- Produce 1 project
Combo + Saver
Art Direction + Portfolio School
$3,699
one-time or $740 x 5
Want to study art direction and properly upgrade your portfolio to get ready for a new career in art direction or a promotion? Enroll in the course bundle to save $100 and kickstart your new career under the expert guidance of our instructors.
- Best for students who want to build portfolio
- Saves $100 compared to enrolling separately
- Split payment plans available
Free Download
How To Become An Art Director
A clear guide to the role, the path, and what it actually takes to move beyond design execution. Understand what art directors really do, how the role differs from senior designer, and what it takes to make the transition.
- What art directors actually do (and don’t do)
- The real difference between designer, art director, and creative director
- The most common paths into art direction
- How to know if this is the right next step for you
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How To Become An Art Director
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FAQs
Is this course for beginners?
No — this course is built for designers who already have foundational design skills and want to move into a more senior, strategic role. If you’re brand new to design, we’d recommend starting with Visual Design Foundation first.
What will I have at the end of the course?
You will fully understand the job of an art director and able to start directing creative projects within your field. You will have learned to critique creative campaigns, set up campaign budgets, mentor design team members and direct creatives from multiple disciplines. You will also have finished 1 art direction project, which you could add to your existing portfolio. If you need to build out a full Art Direction portfolio, you should combine it with our Portfolio School program.
What tools do I need?
The course focuses on art direction thinking and process rather than any single tool. You’ll get the most out of it using whichever design software you already work in — Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar.
How long does it take to complete?
The course is fully self-paced, so it depends on how much time you commit each week. Most students working through it consistently complete it within 6–10 weeks.
Do we get to apply the knowledge into practical projects?
Absolutely! We believe in learning by doing. That’s why we designed exercises for each unit with intention. Students are expected to complete every exercise and quizzes in order to complete the course. This is not a passive learning experience – it’s active. We also wrap up each course with a portfolio-level project, so you can be sure to take away with you a polished piece from every course you finish. You can also combine this course with our Portfolio School program to build out a full portfolio website with 3 projects (this short course has time for 1).Â
Can I get feedback on my projects?
Yes. If you purchase the full course (not the self-study option), you will also have 5 instructor sessions available for you to book on your own schedule. Your instructor will critique and review your projects with you live online. If you purchase the self-study option, you will be able to purchase instructor review sessions a la carte as you need at $80/per hour per session.
Do I get a discount on your courses if I purchase multiple?
Yes, we provide discounts for certain courses if they care purchased together. They are usually courses that are related to each other, each time you enroll in a course, you will see which other courses you can enroll in for a discount in the checkout page.
If you want to receive a bulk discount for purchasing 3 or more courses, please contact us in the contact page. We can provide a custom discount for you.
Should I take a standalone course or enroll in your career program?
It depends on your needs. If you are already working as a designer and would like to uplevel your skillsets, we recommend taking individual courses as you need.
If you are a new designer looking to break into the field and get your first job or client as a designer, we recommend our School of Design career program or combine an upskilling course with Portfolio School if you want to build your portfolio with the knowledge you learned at the course – you do not want to show any knowledge gap in your interview and portfolio.
Stop Just Executing. Start Directing.
If you’re ready to move beyond making things look good and start defining creative direction—this is your next step.