art director

American  

[ahrt di-rek-ter, dahy-] / ˈɑrt dɪˌrɛk tər, daɪ- /

noun

1. Movies, Television. the person who determines the staging requirements for a production and often designs the sets or supervises their building and dressing.

2. Also called art editor.  a person who is responsible for the selection, execution, production, etc., of graphic art for a publication, advertising agency, or the like.

3. artistic director.

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art director British  

noun

1. a person responsible for the sets and costumes in a film

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Etymology

Origin of art director

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

The book cover is an existing painting by Brooklyn-based artist Naruki Kukita, selected by veteran art director Martha Kennedy with Kemp’s input.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

Then there’s Phil Hayes’s efforts as the art director and background specialist.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

We’d met the summer before on his first feature film, Dementia 13, where I had assisted the art director.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 11, 2025

The brand's former art director revealed least year he had amyloidosis, a rare incurable condition that affects the body's vital organs and nerves.

From BBC • Jan. 13, 2025

As art director, I’ve been keeping count in a notebook.

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman