Getting a job as an Art Director

go to an ad school. consider vcu or art center.

Thx, but that's not quite the answer I was looking for.
I think you misread my question.

the reason is "experience". When you did it before, you know the expectations, you know the standards, you know the possibilities and you know the limitations. The more you do, the more you know. That is why it's usually from bottom up, not from outer ring.

Ads agency does not usually do what you do, it's a desperate ads agency that does. They have to survive the business so they would take anything that can use your skill to generate income. If your heart is not at what you currently do, quit and get the real job. Don't waste your time, cos time is pararel to experience, which you need to climb up the ladder.

Hope this answers.

Hi,
In the ad agency world Art Director and a Graphic designer are two separate things.
Art directors have a vision of how the work has to look like "visually." They are also (depending on the copywriter you're working with) are originators of an idea.
They work with photographers, oversee retouchers and have a direct contact with the client. They develop story boards for commercials, work with illustrators and go on commercial shoots...

Graphic designer (in the agency world) is pretty much stuck by the computer designing what the Art DIrector had asked him to design. Graphic designers must have the solid knowledge of them dreadful style-sheets and has to know how to operate multiple page layouts like the back of his/her hand. It's more mechanical than conceptual.

It is better to start your career as an Art Director, albeit a junior, than having to become a designer and then work your way into an art director's chair. Next time you go shop for another agency, position yourself as an AD to begin with. Make up several ads and try to sell them to a client even if it's a probono or something...

What you are doing now, seems to me is what the Customer Marketing and Direct Marketing Agencies do. My friend you are NOT in the Traditional ad agency, sorry :)
Just between you and me and one million other folks, the work you do know is useless at the Traditional agency. Don't waste your time, work at least a year at your current place and start working on your book. Then jump the ship when the opportunity comes.

Good Luck!

Craftsman, I appreciate you taking the time to answer me. You have really cleared some doubts.
Thanks very much.

craftsman is right and basically took the trouble to explain in a long answer what I tried to make you understand in a very brief one. investigate those two ad school programs and a lot of questions will be answered.

I would like to say that Art directors develop design concepts and review material that is to appear in periodicals, newspapers, and other printed or digital media. They decide how best to present the information visually, so that it is eye catching, appealing, and organized. Art directors decide which photographs or artwork to use and oversee the layout design and production of the printed material. They may direct workers engaged in artwork, layout design, and copywriting.

Graphic designers - or graphic artists - plan, analyze, and create visual solutions to communications problems. They decide the most effective way of getting a message across in print, electronic, and film media using a variety of methods such as color, type, illustration, photography, animation, and various print and layout techniques. Graphic designers develop the overall layout and production design of magazines, newspapers, journals, corporate reports, and other publications. They also produce promotional displays, packaging, and marketing brochures for products and services, design distinctive logos for products and businesses, and develop signs and signage systems - called environmental graphics - for business and government. An increasing number of graphic designers also are developing material for Internet Web pages, interactive media, and multimedia projects. Graphic designers also may produce the credits that appear before and after television programs and movies.

The first step in developing a new graphic design is to determine the needs of the client, the message the design should portray, and its appeal to customers or users. Graphic designers consider cognitive, cultural, physical, and social factors in planning and executing designs for the target audience. Designers gather relevant information by meeting with clients, creative or art directors, and by performing their own research. Identifying the needs of consumers is becoming increasingly important for graphic designers as the scope of their work continues to focus on creating corporate communication strategies in addition to technical design and layout work.

Graphic designers prepare sketches or layouts - by hand or with the aid of a computer - to illustrate the vision for the design. They select colors, sound, artwork, photography, animation, style of type, and other visual elements for the design. Designers also select the size and arrangement of the different elements on the page or screen. They also may create graphs and charts from data for use in publications, and often consult with copywriters on any text that may accompany the visual part of the design. Designers then present the completed design to their clients or art or creative director for approval. In printing and publishing firms, graphic designers also may assist the printers by selecting the type of paper and ink for the publication and reviewing the mock-up design for errors before final publication.

Graphic designers use a variety of graphics and layout computer software to assist in their designs. Designers creating Web pages or other interactive media designs also will use computer animation and programming packages. Computer software programs allow ease and flexibility in exploring a greater number of design alternatives, thus reducing design costs and cutting the time it takes to deliver a product to market.

Graphic designers sometimes supervise assistants who carry out their creations. Designers who run their own businesses also may devote a considerable amount of time to developing new business contacts, examining equipment and space needs, and performing administrative tasks, such as reviewing catalogues and ordering samples. The need for up-to-date computer and communications equipment is an ongoing consideration for graphic designers.

and if you know about these points than you should definitely get the new job this is a right time...

Hope answer the question:)
Cheers

In theory Art Director and a Graphic designer are two different jobs, but in real life of small agencies it’s the same. And if you are from a small country with small market, than that it is art is graphic. Sadly.

Here is what I did to become an Art Director. I worked a crappy bartending job during the day and made friends with people who worked in an ad agency across the street. I pride myself on the way I treat people. Im likeable and am super easy to get along with. I weasled my way into the agency with them one night for drinks. I asked for an old creative brief. I was reading "Hey Whipple Squeeze This" at the moment ans asked if I could try and crack the brief for them. They said yes because they liked me and for a week I would share my ideas and doodles on cocktail napkins at the bar with them. They wanted to help me. Not because I had good ideas at first. But because I wanted it. Yada Yada yada they helped me with my book. They gave me an old Mac and a cracked version of photoshop for free. I brought two bottles of scotch a week to the agency that i got for free from my manager at the bar as part of my bonus for the week. I made a book. I had 7 print ads. 2 commercials. Interactive ideas and I walked into the office with very humbly and asked for a job. My references were the Senior Art Director and Copywriter, Graphic Designer, and Account Planner.

The CD already knew he was going to hire me when I walked in because everyone had talked about how easy i was to get along with and my work looked just like theirs. (coincidence?). So to make a long story shorter. I got the job and everyone was happy.

Moral of the story. People hire people. You should always be a mentor. Its all about the ideas.
I got a job in Advertising with NO formal education and no student loans.