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What an international agency checks in your book
An international agency looks for judgement and consistency: which visual world you build, and why that decision and not another.
Free digital resource · Art Direction
Career guide: Art Direction
Become the art director agencies are looking for.
Format
Guide + checklist + roadmap
Plan duration
12 months in 4 phases
Price
Free · no sign-up
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From standalone piece to integrated campaign
Moving from a piece to a campaign means a central idea, an execution system and channel adaptation, with consistency across every format.
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Salary ranges by role and region
Salary ranges vary by seniority and type of structure: small studio, network agency or an in-house brand team.
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A 12-month roadmap
Months 1-3: rebuild a campaign. Months 4-6: direct a project from start to finish. Months 7-9: an art direction book. Months 10-12: senior hiring processes.
Diagnosis
What the international market values
Relative weight of each skill in selection processes and in your rate.
Central idea and concept94/100
The asset that can't be automated
Presenting and defending86/100
An idea poorly told doesn't exist
Team leadership74/100
Marks the leap to a senior role
Production control62/100
Budget, deadlines and quality
Roadmap
Your 12-month plan, phase by phase
Phase 1 · Months 1-3
25% of the planRebuild a campaign
- Audit what you already have and discard 70% of it
- Define the professional profile you're aiming for
- Block out 5 fixed hours a week for your own work
Deliverable: A written diagnosis and work plan
Phase 2 · Months 4-6
50% of the planDirect a project from start to finish
- Build the centrepiece of your new positioning
- Document your method step by step
- Get feedback from two professionals above your level
Deliverable: One complete, publishable, defensible case
Phase 3 · Months 7-9
75% of the planAn art direction book
- Go to market: contacts, processes or proposals
- Prepare a 3-minute presentation of your work
- Track responses and adjust the message every two weeks
Deliverable: Portfolio and pitch validated outside your circle
Phase 4 · Months 10-12
100% of the planSenior hiring processes
- Raise your rate or level of responsibility
- Select projects aligned with your specialism
- Set a professional goal for the next 12 months
Deliverable: A new position or a newly negotiated rate
Progression
Where you start and where you end up
30%TodayYou execute briefs with your own judgement
52%Month 4Your method is visible and repeatable
76%Month 8You compete in international processes
100%Month 12You lead, choose your clients and charge for value
Checklist
Tick off what you have already sorted
Portfolio and evidence
- Three projects told as cases: problem, decision, result
- One piece that demonstrates your judgement, not just your technique
- A measurable or verifiable result in every case
- All material in English, ready for international review
Positioning
- One sentence explaining who you serve and with what judgement
- A professional profile updated with that same sentence
- A 3-minute presentation recorded and reviewed
- Clarity on why Art Direction and nothing else
International market
- A list of 20 target studios, brands or teams
- Five real contacts started this month
- A rate or salary band defined per project and per month
- Availability and working hours agreed in writing
Training and next step
- A training gap identified in a single sentence
- A realistic weekly calendar compatible with your job
- An instalment payment plan reviewed
- A profile assessment completed to validate the programme
Actions for this week
- Rebuild an existing campaign around your own central idea.
- Record a 3-minute presentation defending that idea.
- List five structures (studios or brands) where you want to lead.