Bachelor of Fine Arts
Creative Direction
Degrees and Certificates
Program Learning Outcomes
As companies have become increasingly aware of the power of creativity to define, build, and grow their brands, the role of Creative Director has become and even more essential one. And with many of the traditional, siloed resource structures giving way to a more fluid and collaborative model, Creative Directors have the ability to influence every aspect of the way a company looks, sounds, feels, and presents itself to the world.
Graduates will be able to:
- Show, through their work, a diversity and range of conceptual solutions that are each appropriate for the particular problem being solved.
- Demonstrate a level of speed and efficiency in their idea generation, as well as the discipline to make decisive choices.
- Show an understanding of their creative process and how to best go about attacking a wide range of problems.
Graduates will be able to:
- Gain an awareness of important historical work that has played a role in the evolution of advertising. Gain a broad awareness of the best current work from around the world.
- Become well-versed in the news and current events in order to create work that is topical, culturally relevant and provocative.
Graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate through execution a thorough knowledge of available forms of media, from print, to television, to digital, to street, to social, to viral.
- Create work across all medium and gain a conceptual understanding of the possibilities and limitations of each.
- Create integrated campaigns that use multiple forms of media and require them to work in unison.
Graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate an ability to execute in print related projects and fluency in the required graphics programs, such as InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and keynote.
- Demonstrate an ability to execute television/film/video related projects and a fluency in the use of digital photography, digital video shooting and editing, sound recording, music application and special effects.
- Demonstrate an ability to execute digital based projects and a fluency in the programs required to do so.
Graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to build physical and digital presentations (Keynote, PowerPoint) that are conceptual and well-executed.
- Demonstrate the ability to do oral presentations, both to small and large audiences.
Graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate a clear knowledge of the various career options with the broader context of the advertising business.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the roles and responsibilities they will be asked to assume within a professional environment.
- Demonstrate a high level of integrity and honesty in their behavior and their work.
Beginning Fall term 2026, the Creative Direction BFA program will be integrated into the Graphic Design BFA program, joining that curriculum’s other areas of emphasis, which currently include Print and Publication, Packaging, Motion, Transmedia and Visual Interaction Design. Students entering Fall 2026 or later who wish to study creative direction can apply to the Graphic Design BFA program and select an emphasis in Creative Direction.
Courses
DB: Linkedin Learning 1.0
Digital Basics: LinkedIn Learning 1.0 is a self-directed course taught online that covers the basic principles of 2D design software such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. It leverages the unique relationship ArtCenter has with LinkedIn Learning to educate students via a select set of online LinkedIn Learning videos. Students watch the videos, learn the content, and are assessed on their learning at the end of the term.
Credits
1
Creative Direction 101
This class is an introduction to the world of advertising. It will highlight publications and sites to visit; award shows; best agencies; best current work; career paths; best grad books/sites; work ethic required and work process.
Credits
0
Communication Design 1
This class covers historical aspects of the advertising and graphic design fields, as well as addressing communication strategies including the effective use of metaphors, iconography, idioms, allegories, cliches and methodologies. The nature of symbol and cultural essence are considered in assignments where the dynamic role of image, photography or illustration is stressed. Problem solving and conceptual thinking are strongly emphasized, as are the development of philosophical and professional attitudes related to the role of the designer as interpreter of society and promoter of products and services. This course provides an intensive introduction to both the creation and critique of original ideas.
Credits
3
Comm Design - InDesign Lab
Students will learn the basic tools and functions of Adobe InDesign to successfully design and build their books and portfolios. The workshop will cover setting up documents, working with tools and panels, keyboard shortcuts, type and text frames, using grids, using master pages and importing and linking images. Students should feel free to bring projects they are working on with them to the workshop for help and critique. Meets for five weeks, starting week 2.
Credits
0
Type 1: Fundamentals
This class focuses on the study and generation of letterforms, including analysis of basic alphabet categories, historical background, and rationale of individual letter-style characteristics.
Credits
3
Art Direction 1
First basic course in a consecutive sequence of three classes. This class is about creating imagery that breaks with the conventions of time, viewpoint and content, not advertising protocol. Emphasis is on the transformation of ideas into images, and effective communication that occurs when an idea produces an image that is perceived and understood by an intended audience. While art direction is the focus, studens will have opportunities to concept ads. Course material focuses on the early works of Doyle Dane and Bermbach, the agency which began the "Creative Revolution" during the '60s and still exists today.
Credits
3
Motion Design 1
MD1 is the first course where students learn how to bring their design to life with motion. Students will use lessons learned from Narrative Sketching/Imaging and digital language learned from Digital Basics to develop their creative suggestion before choreographing their solutions. MD1 will feature 2 main projects with some shorter learning objective assignments earlier in the term. The 1st project will be kinetic type that focuses on handling typography in motion. The 2nd project will feature more sophisticated approach with an expanded approach to the assignment. The 3rd & final Motion piece using graphic elements. Imagery will be limited to stills or keyed elements. Storyboards, animation. 20-30 sec.
Credits
3
Visual Concepts
This course provides conceptualizing process, design, and production of creating still images for advertising. It focuses on formulating effective ideas for images that communicate the message, as well as constructing outstanding visuals.
Credits
3
Communication Design 2: Information & Context
Course description and learning outcome: Messaging in different contexts. Design as: research/conception/form-giving/production. Research as catalyst for design ideas. Designing from a place of understanding (content, audience, context). Use of 2 contexts (ie.screen/print) /or audiences (ie. young/old)/ or formats (ie. poster/card). Use of modular division of space, simple grids. Use of color. Analysis of audience reaction and communication success or failure. Project types: 3 or 4 projects to give a variety of content types. One project with greater text component. Continuing emphasis on need for multiple ideas before designing.
Comm Des 2: Info & Context
Course description and learning outcome: Messaging in different contexts. Design as: research/conception/form-giving/production. Research as catalyst for design ideas. Designing from a place of understanding (content, audience, context). Use of 2 contexts (ie.screen/print) /or audiences (ie. young/old)/ or formats (ie. poster/card). Use of modular division of space, simple grids. Use of color. Analysis of audience reaction and communication success or failure. Project types: 3 or 4 projects to give a variety of content types. One project with greater text component. Continuing emphasis on need for multiple ideas before designing.
Credits
3
Type 2: Structure
Type 2 is a rigorous introduction to the fundamentals of typography, with emphasis on the formal aspects of designing with typographic elements, and the responsibilities inherent in working with visible language.
Credits
3
Imagery and Meaning
Lens-based imagery is fast becoming a universal language. This course explores the use of photography as a creative tool for graphic designers, creative directors, and others who wish to develop their skills and vision in the art direction of photography and professional photographers. We will study the history of collaborative image making while adding camera assignments, so that we may better understand the technical / aesthetic issues of photography. These include lensing, lighting, layout, file management, and image manipulation. We will further develop the skills needed to discern the quality of an image and to direct and create original photographic communications rather than using formulaic stock imagery. to discern the quality of an image and to direct and create original photographic communications rather than using formulaic stock imagery.
Credits
3
Narrative Imaging
This course will enable students to use photography and videography to effectively capture situations and to unleash the narrative and symbolic potential of images. The course starts by creating a narrative with stills and ends with creating a narrative with motion. Students will learn: storytelling from narrative single images to a multi image narratives and photo essays; how to understand meaning in photographs; compositions and cropping; original and found images (photo editing); art directing and how to conduct a photo shoot. This class teaches the art of the storyboard as a powerful story-telling device used in motion graphics.
Credits
3
Creative Process
This is the second class in a consecutive sequence of three writing courses. Students will learn techniques for solving advertising problems in unique ways, and develop non-traditional portfolio pieces.
Credits
3
Basics of Video Production
Students will learn how to shoot, direct, art direct and edit short narrative film. The class will also explore the impact of sound in a production. Students will learn the basics of cinematic structure and how to storyboard an idea to produce an effective, visually compelling moving image piece. The first project is highly structured to give students the experience and skills to then develop their own vision in the final project. The class uses Premier Pro as the editing software.
Credits
3
Art Direction 2
Second intermediate course in a consecutive sequence of classes. Special emphasis is placed on final art direction and copy. Students are encouraged to collaborate with other disciplines such has Photography, Graphics and Illustration to prepare their advertising concepts for portfolio consideration.
Credits
3
Comm Des 3: Narrative & Scale
Introduces narrative sequence through temporal or spatial means. Messaging in 3 moves or more (images, screens, pages, sentences) or in 3 dimensions. Media agnostic (students may choose an appropriate medium/method). Builds on CD1+2 but adds serial/multiple communication. Deals with series/stories/sequences/choices/transitions. Project types: Messaging in sequence. Multiple pages or screens. Image or language sequences. Storyboards. Interaction or navigation choices. More complex grids. Multi-page documents. Motion.
Credits
3
Type 3: Context
This course asks students to apply what they have learned in Type 2 to particular contexts, allowing the individual nature of the project content and audience to start influencing and determining their typographic choices.
Credits
3
Vis Ix Des 1: Intro to UI
Web Design introduces students to web technologies and the basics of web design. They learn how to organize content, visually design sites, and build a working prototype by applying a basic understanding of HTML and CSS, also taught in the class. Students also take a workshop to help them with web technologies.
Credits
3
Sequential Design 1
Teaches foundational storytelling and design-based narratives. Students should be 2nd-3rd term standing.
Credits
3
Brand Concepts 1
This course provides an introduction to the fundamentals of branding with emphasis on conceptual process and development, and basic branding/concepting methodologies and techniques.
Credits
3
4th Term Review
Required for all 4th term Advertising students. Portfolio review & successful review by Dept Chair.
Credits
0
Comm Des 4: Identity Systems
Course description and learning outcome: Developing a graphic voice for client or message. Consistency of voice through different media/contexts. Importance of design as editing (research, content forms) and designer as author of content. May involve branding. More complex problems than CD 1, 2, 3. Media agnostic. Opens up to communicating solutions in print, packaging, motion, interactive, environmental, 3D. Project types: Longer more in depth projects, 1 or 2 per term. Possibility of student-generated projects aligned to their individual interests or in collaboration with work in another class. Maybe all students work on a different project. ie. A theme is given but they must develop/generate content themselves.
Credits
3
Brand Concepts 2
Credits 3Brand Concepts 2
This is a beginning course that builds on the information from Advertising Concepts 1. Emphasis is on the application of conceptual advertising principles and design. Research, copywriting and marketing knowledge are applied to advertising assignments.
Credits
3
Copywriting 1
Credits 3Copywriting 1
This is the first class in a consecutive sequence of three writing courses. Course material provides an introduction to the craft of advertising copywriting and gives students a basic understanding of the copywriting process as it applies to advertising.
Credits
3
Creative Writing 1
This foundational writing course is designed to equip you with the core skills essential for clear, effective communication across a range of formats. You'll explore different writing structures-from storytelling and manifestos to long-form and short-form copy-building a strong foundation in both creative and strategic writing. You'll gain the confidence to write across genres with clarity, purpose, and a distinct voice.
Credits
3
Digital Narrative
This course provides an introduction to the design and conceptual process of creating television commercials. Focus is on the technical, as well as the emotional content of various commercial formats through storyboard design.
Credits
3
The Advertising Photographer
The Advertising Photographer: From Concept to Completion, is a course that mirrors the development and execution of a professional advertising photo shoot. Beginning with brand or products' research to concept ideation and storytelling, Students will learn how to communicate stylized ideas through the use of photography, imaging, and photo-treatments.
This course guides students through the process of executing a professional advertising photo shoot. Course demos will include a fully produced photo shoot with an automobile, models, professional grip, and stylists. Each student will get a chance to partake in each roll; photographer, assistant, digital tech, and producer. The shoot will be followed by an in-depth look into the process of making selects, as well as building out layered Photoshop files for final finish and color grade. This course will include several industry guest speakers that will provide in depth insight into their area of expertise.
The course will culminate with students producing, shooting, and finalizing their own photo shoot. These shoots will be centered around a client or product with an understanding of how the content will speak to the target demographic. Students will learn all aspects of an advertising shoot that include; estimates, pre-production deck, scout locations, pre-block out shots, and team building of stylists, make-up artists, and assistants needed to execute a professional advertising shoot. The outcome will be a composite of multiple images for the application of the perfect color grade.
Credits
3
Toolbox
It's not a box, it's a place that explores the boundaries of communication. It's a course built with multidisciplinary teams to create content at the speed of culture tackling a variety of contemporary topics that make people look, make them think, make them care.
This is an fast paced class requiring critical thinking at a high level. The tools are: Inspiration, Freedom to Experiment, and Awareness.
Credits
3
Crash!
This upper-term (7-8) studio course offers an immersive, fast-paced experience that mirrors the demands of working in a real-world creative company. Led by a faculty member serving as creative director, students are paired in teams to collaborate on projects for two different clients over the course of 14 weeks. The class is structured around rapid ideation, pushing you to develop and deliver multiple assignments across both traditional and non-traditional media. With a focus on creative agility, strategic thinking, and professional execution, this intensive course prepares you for the realities of agency or studio life.
Credits
3
Crashvertising
This intense immersion course, meeting weekly, allows students to experience the pace and intensity of working in a real-world creative agency. Students will work on multiple assignments on a range of media, both traditional and non-traditional. In the middle of the term the students will be required to attend 3 week workshop with an eminent creative director to hone their concepting, creative, and presentation skills.
Credits
3
Brand Concepts 3
This intermediate-level course emphasizes the definition of target audience, marketing objectives, and the development of specific creative briefs through to finished comprehensives.
Credits
3
Media Maker's Lab
Media Makers Lab is a new class combining the skills of advertising, film and design students in an intense collaborative immersion of short storytelling of advertising concepts applied to multiple social media platforms. The class is specifically created to emulate the process of a creative team working in an ad agency or a design firm crossing into the world of marketing.
It will be a 5 hour class made up of 3-4 teams comprising one from ad, one from film and one from design to work on a series of briefs every two weeks from concept through to final production. Week one is getting a concept approved. Week two is shooting your concept, editing with sound design and presenting finished video(s) in class the second week. There will be 6 assignments each term. It will move fast. You will shoot on a smart phone or a digital SLR, no big budget shoots. Shoestring productions only.
You must submit a website/portfolio to be accepted into the class. We will curate/form these teams prior to the first class. You will get an email telling who your partners are. You're expected to introduce yourself to each other before the first class. With your get-to-know-each-other you will come to the first class with the name of your company that you've agreed on as a team. You will present that name with a brief raison d'etre to support your company name
The outcome is to disrupt the status quo of the conventional business model of ad agencies, clients and commercial production companies with the simple application of strong concepts and clear storytelling.
Credits
3
Conscious Communication
Conscious Communication is an intense immersion course at ArtCenter College of Design that allows students to experience the pace of a professional environment, creating work relevant to current real-world social issues. Led by photographer and creative director Matthew Rolston, students will produce a series of targeted short-form videos, ultimately making powerful pieces of audiovisual communication.
The class addresses issues that affect us all, among them: the movements for diversity, equity and inclusion; mental health; the climate crisis; the promotion of joy and kindness; and many other pressing topics. The course is ideal for aspiring advertising professionals, creative directors, filmmakers, photographers, and those who wish to communicate powerfully in the public interest.
For more information about the course, please visit www.consciouscommunication.io.
Credits
3
Photography for Art Direction
Photography is the current universal language. This course will explore the use of photography as a creative tool for designers, creative directors, and others who wish to increase their skills to engage photography and photographers in their vision. We will study the history of collaborative image making while adding camera assignments to better understand technical issues including lensing, lighting, layout, color, file management, and image manipulation. Our focus is on the skills needed to discern the quality of an image and to direct and create original and compelling photographic communications as opposed to formulaic stock imagery."
Credits
3
Smashvertising
This intense immersion course, meeting a full day for multiple days, allows students to experience the pace and intensity of working in a real-world advertising agency. Led by an eminent creative director, students will work on multiple assignments on a range of media, both traditional and non-traditional.
Credits
3
6th Term Review
Required for all 6th term Advertising students. Portfolio review & successful review by Dept Chair.
Credits
0
Crafting Disruption
An advanced, fast paced class combining conceptual thinking with the ability to craft and execute across the many digital platforms, connecting brands, products and services to unsuspecting consumers in a way that disrupts their normal patterns of consumption.
Credits
3
Thinking for Next
The unexplored space of new market advertising:
Every brand wants to be successful in their market, dominating the competition and delivering products that keep them relevant, profitable and moving ever forward. As advertising partners, it's our job to find new creative ways to help them accomplish this goal. In this class we will creating layered campaigns that take the brand beyond where they have been, pushing the limits of their identity and explore the endless creative possibilities. Moving them forward into new unexplored market spaces.
Thinking for next is a medium to advanced course, that will focus on creating comprehensive campaigns centered on emerging market opportunities. Students will use research and existing brand identities to design and craft projects that work cohesively across an array of media platforms.
Credits
3
Creative Writing 1
An advanced course focused on the craft of writing across a range of disciplines, including social media, advertising, and emerging media, as well as experiential marketing. Students will explore how writing adapts to different formats and audiences, learning to shape messages that are clear, compelling, and memorable. Through a variety of assignments, the course emphasizes the power of language in storytelling, concept development, and strategic communication-equipping you to write with precision, persuasion, and creative impact.
Credits
3
Copywriting 2
An advanced understanding into the craft of copywriting for branding and advertising. Assignments given to reinforce/teach students about the importance of presenting information clearly, provocatively and memorably.
Students will learn to write brand manifestos, taglines, headlines in a range of tones, positioning, and style that match the individual brands. Students will create portfolio-ready, fully integrated campaigns for three individual brands, with copy as a focus. These campaigns will include manifestos, headlines, experiential, and digital executions. Students will write website-ready campaign descriptions and setups for each campaign, and learn how to best represent, describe, and convey their concepts. Students will evolve their presentation and communication skills, with the focus on clear, emotive idea representation. Students will explore and research writing tone and style, in advertising executions and beyond, bringing in weekly examples that they find and connect with - building a curated reference collection for themselves.
Credits
3
Idea Lab
Teaching advanced concept skills with an emphasis on campaign and brand development, strategic thinking, writing, layout and design through varied systems, whether emerging technologies, or tried and true delivery mechanisms.
Students will get tools that will help them produce branding ideas guided by strategic framework. They will gain insights into the largely unconscious nature of the creative process.
Credits
3
Creating Culture
A class designed to immerse students in the language & communications of subcultures. We will explore culture as it relates to audience, interests, community, and storytelling. This will entail a broad look at different subcultures and how it relates to each students interest/trajectory. We will build on current skill-sets and strengthen / select new tools applicable to each students aim.
The course will ebb and flow from broad discussions to targeted and nuanced communication executions. The work that will culminate from this class will be diverse and nothing like what they have done prior. We will also touch on diversity, "breaking through" tactics, authenticity, adapting to the future, strategy and other skills that doesn't look like "ads".
Credits
3
7th Term Review
Required for all 7th term Advertising students. Portfolio review & successful review by Dept Chair.
Credits
0
Brand Concept 4
This is multi-disciplinary, experiential course that challenges you to create cohesive events that engage a brand's audience in unexpected places and ways, reinforcing brand identity and value propositions.
Credits
3
Channel U
The unexplored space of new market advertising: USING YOUR LIFE & FEELINGS TO COMMUNICATE ON BEHALF OF COMPANIES.
Don't create advertising - communicate with other human beings. Most advertising is bland, impersonal and irrelevant to the people viewing it. So, it's ineffective. Whatever the media, the best communication feels personal, like one human being talking to another. So rather than simply figuring out a new way to say this product is 'so awesome', it's more effective to bring your own humanity to the product or message. This requires looking for ideas within, (not on Google and YouTube). Unearthing your thoughts, feelings and experiences around a brief.
Credits
3
Impact Lab
Students will consider the development of projects in both traditional and non-traditional media, from ad campaigns to television commercials. The objective of this class is the establishment of a finite conceptual direction, the blueprint of a project.
Credits
3
CRDR Competition Course
In this studio course, Creative Direction students will create entries for the Annual Show competition. Students will develop their entries individually or on self-selected teams (as permitted by competition rules), but will meet as a class for strategy development, brainstorming, mutual critique, and feedback from faculty. This course requires the students to enter the One Show competition.
Credits
3
Winning the Pitch
Understand the unique requirements of pitching and winning new business in today's world. This course will teach how platform thinking (vs executional thinking) is required to help traditional and non-traditional agencies win in this highly competitive space. Students will learn how strategy, execution and pitch presentation theater can help make creatives invaluable to their organizations. The end result are 2 full campaigns, one of which will be presented in a way that helps sell big ideas beyond just executions.
Credits
3
Portfolio Studio
Emphasis is on the development of advertising pieces for the finished portfolio. All aspects of photography, design and typography are finalized. Students also complete personal I.D., Letter head, Bussiness card, resume, website and leave behind. 160
Credits
3
Bookcamp
This course provides an opportunity for students to put all their skill sets together and focus solely on creating portfolio pieces for their book. All assignments will be catered to specific needs of each student so that they can create new work that complement their existing portfolio. These will be complementary pieces to a student's portfolio, based on an understanding of the conceptual process and development presented in class. Students will be able to create Print, Social/Stunt, and Experiential campaign execution for a product/service, but most importantly, they will be Portfolio ready.
Credits
3
Portfolio & Career Preparation
This course supports the graduating student's role as a junior designer within a studio or in-house setting, and a role in art direction and design. Lectures and guest speakers will focus on expectations of the recent graduate as a working professional. The graduating students' professional responsibility, personal attitude, studio structure and client/vendor relationships will be discussed.
Credits
3
The Power of Pleasure
Sensuality, seduction and pleasure are at the core of almost every effort in the worlds of entertainment, advertising and marketing. In order to ignite desire and create brand awareness in consumers and audiences, it is necessary to speak in symbolic visual terms. A curated selection of films, advertising campaigns, photography, brand materials and 'brand codes' will be examined in order to form an understanding of the traditions of the art of visual seduction and how such traditions constantly evolve in response to society's ever- changing conditions and values. Students will create concepts, research documents, mood boards and a short film using pre-existing footage, the focus of which will be an instructor-assigned luxury brand communication project.
Credits
3
Campaign Lab
Credits 3Campaign Lab
This course will review past work and assign new projects that will focus on categories that will complete the finished portfolio. Discussions will cover present advertising trends and current agency activities. There will be special emphasis on preparing and perfecting all concepts through to final photography, illustration and copy application. This class in conjunction with the Portfolio Studio class is the culmination of all work that will complete the final portfolio.
Credits
3
TestLab Berlin: HSCI Elective
TestlabBerlin is a sponsored studio abroad project. One core faculty member will run the project for the entire semester, additionally there will be guest faculty/lecturers/guest critics in Berlin.
Available to fifth term and above students by application.
Students will experiment with new creative strategies for art & design production which will be informed by real-time response from a chosen audience. This feedback process will be enabled both through social media (Socialtecture) and through in-person interaction with the audience. The resulting projects are cross-cultural in nature and dramatically broaden the creative horizon of all participants.
Credits
3
TestLab Berlin:Cultrl Immrsn
TestlabBerlin is a sponsored studio abroad project. One core faculty member will run the project for the entire semester, additionally there will be guest faculty/lecturers/guest critics in Berlin.
Available to fifth term and above students by application.
Students will experiment with new creative strategies for art & design production which will be informed by real-time response from a chosen audience. This feedback process will be enabled both through social media (Socialtecture) and through in-person interaction with the audience. The resulting projects are cross-cultural in nature and dramatically broaden the creative horizon of all participants.
Credits
3
TestLab Berlin:HSOC Elective
TestlabBerlin is a sponsored studio abroad project. One core faculty member will run the project for the entire semester, additionally there will be guest faculty/lecturers/guest critics in Berlin.
Available to fifth term and above students by application.
Students will experiment with new creative strategies for art & design production which will be informed by real-time response from a chosen audience. This feedback process will be enabled both through social media (Socialtecture) and through in-person interaction with the audience. The resulting projects are cross-cultural in nature and dramatically broaden the creative horizon of all participants.
Credits
3
TestLab Berlin:HSOC Elective
TestlabBerlin is a sponsored studio abroad project. One core faculty member will run the project for the entire semester, additionally there will be guest faculty/lecturers/guest critics in Berlin.
Available to fifth term and above students by application.
Students will experiment with new creative strategies for art & design production which will be informed by real-time response from a chosen audience. This feedback process will be enabled both through social media (Socialtecture) and through in-person interaction with the audience. The resulting projects are cross-cultural in nature and dramatically broaden the creative horizon of all participants.
Credits
3