A Guide to Choosing a Creative Director Degree

A career as a creative director is ideal for students who want to work in the fashion, art and advertising industries. These professionals help turn ideas into reality and oversee the design and implementation of creative projects. Students should pursue a bachelor's degree to enter this field and optimise their job prospects. 

At LIS, we provide an interdisciplinary degree programme that equips students with valuable skills in core disciplines, giving them flexibility over their career paths. Our students can also access resources for career development, networking, and personal well-being.

This guide explores some great degrees for creative directors and how to get started in this industry.

Table of Contents

• What is a Creative Director?
• Do You Need a Creative Director Degree?
• Great Degrees for Creative Directors
• Do You Need a Certification to Become a Creative Director?
• Planning Your Creative Director Career
• How to Choose the Right Degree for Creative Directors

A creative director plans, implements and oversees the concept and vision for innovative projects. They determine the direction for various projects and work with multiple teams and professionals to turn ideas into reality. These professionals can work in a variety of creative industries, including fashion, marketing, advertising, film, and digital media. 

These are the typical work responsibilities for creative directors:

• Planning and overseeing marketing campaigns
• Managing creative teams
• Overseeing the development of creative content
• Managing the creative team's budget
• Presenting project information to clients and executives
• Supervising work completed by creative departments

If you want to launch a career as a creative director, a bachelor's degree offers a great foundation, as many of the skills required for this field are taught in a degree programme. 

Creative degree programmes cover these topics:

• Research
• Fashion Cultures
• Brand Management
• Fashion Proposals
• Visual Media
• Strategic Thinking

A degree will increase the chances of landing a job, show potential employers you are committed to this industry and give you the resources you need to excel in this field.

Finding the right degree for your creative director career can be challenging. 

To help, we've outlined a few great degrees and their offerings. 

Arts and Sciences: Interdisciplinary Problems and Methods (BASc) – The London Interdisciplinary School 

The BASc degree from The London Interdisciplinary School (LIS) is a three-year, full-time programme that teaches students interdisciplinary expertise. 

It’s really important for creative directors to think differently and to see the world from different perspectives – this is exactly what LIS's BASc degree delivers. Unlike traditional pathways focusing on linear skills, LIS breaks down fundamental skills, critical thinking and creativity to help students gain skills that can be adapted to many other desired fields.

Lectures are led by a diverse range of industry professionals, including artists, philosophers, and journalists, giving students exposure to innovative ways of thinking. They will also work on real-world projects for real-world experience. In addition, LIS brokers summer internships, allowing eligible students opportunities to network and gain experience. 

Key Curriculum:

• Qualitative Methods 1B: Explore visual language as a process from information mapping to photography and videography. 
• Problems 2A: Understand how to think critically about technology innovation, focusing on data studies and technology ethics.
• Design Thinking: Learn about key design thinking mindsets, models and methods, how they are applied and what impact they can have across disciplines and problems.
• Communities and Campaigning: Students carry out a campaign of relevance for a community of which at least one group-member is a member. Students deploy academic methods like interviews and focus groups, as well as methods for analysing successful campaigning materials.
• Telling the Story of a Wicked Problem: Study the forms and structures which storytellers use, and put it all together in an authentic multi-media campaign strategy. 
• Capstone Project: Students can create a hands-on project based on any problem they are most passionate about in creative direction or any other discipline. 

Fees:

• £9,000 / a year for home students
• £17,000 / a year for international students

Financial Aid:

• Financial Support Bursary: LIS provides eligible learners annual support between £1,000 and £7,000.
• Hardship Grants: Students who experience unexpected economic challenges can apply for a grant. 
• Income from Internships: Students who have joined an internship that pays at least the London Living Wage can apply for support. 

Key Takeaways:

• Gaining interdisciplinary skills gives students complete flexibility in their career paths.
• There are opportunities to gain practical experience through projects and internships.
• Completing the capstone project is a fantastic way for students to reflect on their passions and interests while building a professional resume. 

BA (Hons) Creative Direction - Arts University Bournemouth

The Arts University Bournemouth offers a BA (Hons) in Creative Direction for three or four years of full-time study. Students who opt for four years can complete a one-year work placement and gain practical experience working alongside industry professionals. This degree equips students with analytical and creative skills in problem-solving, strategy, design, and research.

At the end of this programme, students will know how to develop design projects based on their client's needs and aspirations. They will have the resources and knowledge to find their unique creative vision while completing hands-on projects, participating in workshops, and working with experts, agencies, and businesses. 

Key Curriculum:

• Design
• Creative Industries
• Research
• Negotiation and Investment

Fees:

• Students must contact the university for home fee and international fee status information. 

Financial Aid:

• Accommodation Bursary: Qualifying undergraduate students can apply for £1,000 toward accommodation costs. 
• Disabled Students Bursary: Disabled students can contact Arts University Bournemouth to find out about all the scholarships and bursaries they are entitled to.
• Early Payment Fee Waiver: International students can apply for early tuition fee waivers for every year of study. 

Key Takeaways:

• There are ample scholarships and bursaries available for students.
• This degree focuses on a blend of practical and creative skills for aspiring creative directors.
• Students can gain real-world experience and complete a placement year. 

BA (Hons) Fashion Styling and Creative Direction - Solent University 

Students who want to become art directors in the fashion industry may find the BA (Hons) Fashion Styling and Creative Direction degree programme the best option. You can study full-time for three or four years and complete a foundation year. The foundation year is ideal for students who still need to fulfil the entry requirements for this degree but would like to kickstart their learning experience.

Solent University provides access to specialist facilities, such as a hair and make-up studio and modern photography studios. Students will complete 100 hours of practical training, which they can add to their resumes. They will also receive one-on-one guidance from a personal tutor to help them develop and apply their unique creative ideas in fashion and design. 

Key Curriculum:

• Editorial Fashion
• Trend Forecasting
• Style Cultures
• Creating Beauty

Fees:

• £9,250 / a year for home students
• £17,750 / a year for international students

Financial Aid:

• Carers Bursary: Students who are recognised by local authorities as carers may apply for £1,200 toward their studies. 
• Estranged Students Bursary: Students who the Student Finance England recognises as 'irreconcilably estranged' can receive a  £1,500 bursary. 
• Local Student Bursary Scheme: Eligible students with a household income of less than  £25,000 a year can apply for £ 1,000 in funding for one academic year. 

Key Takeaways:

• A foundation year is available for students who want to study this degree but don’t meet the entry requirements.
• Dedicated guidance from a personal tutor will help students understand the creative industry and how to build unique projects.
• There are many opportunities for practical experience, preparing students for the workforce.

BA (Hons) Creative Direction for Fashion -  University of the Arts London

The University of the Arts London (AUL) delivers the BA (Hons) Creative Direction for Fashion degree requiring three years of full-time study. Alternatively, you can study for four years and complete a work placement to gain real-world experience from industry professionals. This programme focuses on project management, research, creative concepts, and creative mindset development.

Students will learn about emerging technologies in the fashion industry and collaborate with pioneers such as H&M, the Centre for Sustainable Fashion, the Hyman Archive, and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Key Curriculum:

• Introduction to Fashion Communication 
• Critical Issues in Fashion Research
• Critical Communities
• Fashion Communication: Situating Your Practice

Fees:

• £9,250 / a year for home students
• £17,750 / a year for international students

Financial Aid:

• UAL Bursaries: This university provides several bursaries worth £1,400 each to students who meet the qualifications. 
• UAL Hardship Fund: Qualifying students with a household income below £55,000 may receive financial aid. 
• Summer Hardship Fund: Eligible students can apply for this scholarship and receive financial support based on economic difficulties. 

Key Takeaways: 

• There are various scholarships and bursaries available for students.
• Students will work alongside industry professionals and creative teams for hands-on experience.
• There is an option to complete a placement year and develop industry networks. 

BA (Hons) Fashion Art Direction - Manchester Metropolitan University

The BA (Hons) Fashion Art Direction degree at Manchester Metropolitan University requires three years of full-time study. Students can opt for four years and complete a work placement or study abroad in one of the university's sister universities. This university provides cutting-edge facilities and a studio environment to foster creative projects and encourage team collaboration.

Photography workshops, lecturers from creative professionals worldwide, and placement opportunities with globally renowned companies such as Nike, Adidas, and JD Sports are available. At the end of this programme, students will have a first-hand understanding of how to excel as an art director in the fashion industry. 

Key Curriculum

• Fashion Cultures
• Fashion Collaboration
• Fashion Futures
• Industry Proposal

Fees:

• £9,250 / a year for home students
• £21,500 / a year for international students

Financial Aid:

• Care Leavers' Bursary: Students leaving local authority care can receive  £1,000 annually. 
• Emergency Support: Students with unexpected economic difficulties can apply for emergency financial aid. 
• Vice Chancellor's International Regional Scholarship: Students from eligible regions can apply for a 50% tuition fee reduction in their first year of study. 

Key Takeaways:

• There are opportunities to complete a work placement and study abroad.
• Students can work on their resumes and establish industry connections.
• This university provides top-tier learning facilities to help students gain creative and technical skills. 

No, you don't need a certification to become a creative director; a bachelor's degree is sufficient to launch a career in this industry. 

However, you can complete short courses to expand your skills and stand out in the job market. Instead of learning specialised skills in a creative course, students can complete any of our short courses at LIS and gain expertise in leadership, analytical thinking and problem-solving.

You can complete all or any of these short courses at LIS:

• Systems Thinking for Sustainability: Explore systems thinking and how it impacts interconnected environmental and social challenges.
• Risk and Reputation: Understand what it takes to become a leader and leverage online communities in today's media-driven world. 
• Cross-functional leadership: Gain the knowledge to manage teams across diverse departments. 

In addition to these short courses, learners can further their skills and complete our interdisciplinary master's degree. 

Here is how to plan your creative direction career, including the skills you need and your job outlook. 

Top Skills for Creative Director Jobs

To become creative directors successfully, professionals must have the skills needed for strategic vision, career development, and securing high-quality jobs. Here are the top experts for aspiring creative directors. 

• Photography: A significant part of the creative process for directors is photography. Professionals must know the fundamentals of this discipline and how to work with photography software. 
• Brand Management: In the creative industry, directors must understand how to develop and reflect a brand narrative in innovative projects. 
• Art Direction: Creative directors must work with various teams in diverse sectors to guide the visual aspects of a narrative or project. 
• Creative Vision: The building block of every director's project is creative vision. Professionals must know how to think outside the box and form strategies that address business needs. 
• Concept Development: Aspiring creative directors must prepare to generate innovative concepts that align with their target audience. 
• Leadership and Communication: Directors working in creative agencies often have to oversee entire teams. They should have superb leadership and communication skills to manage various professionals. 

The Average Salary for Creative Directors 

The average salary for a creative director depends a lot on the role, the company and the project. 

While a starting salary for advertising creatives is between £20,000 and £28,000, if a professional continues to progress and take on director roles, they could expect to earn anything from £40,000 - £150,000. 

The more valuable experience a professional has, and the more extensive your professional network, the higher your chances of securing a job with high earning potential. 

Will the Creative Director Jobs Market Grow?

The number of jobs in the UK's creative industry grew to 2.4 million in 2022 — a 14.1% increase since 2019. This figure is significantly higher than the average growth rate across all UK jobs, 0.6%. 

With so many opportunities in the creative industry, students must stay updated with industry trends and ensure they have the relevant qualifications to secure a job after graduation. 

These are the key factors in picking the right degree to launch your creative direction career.

Tuition Fees

Students who want to become creative directors must consider the cost of their degree. Evaluate the cost of your entire degree and develop a plan for funding it. A detailed plan for affording your degree programme is critical to avoid any financial challenges during your studies. 

Financial Support

Your degree programme must offer financial support to help students afford their studies. Having as many economic resources as possible is ideal because studying is costly and can burden many students. Check universities for their scholarships and bursaries and how this can make it easier for you to fund your programme. 

Industry Networking 

Aspiring creative directors must select a degree programme with networking opportunities. Networking will help students land jobs after graduation, build relationships with advertising agencies, and advance their careers. 

Practical Training 

The degree programme you opt for must offer practical training to give you real-world experience of becoming a creative director. In this industry, practical knowledge is invaluable; access to this training also helps you build a portfolio before you graduate. 

Become a Creative Director with LIS

A career as a creative director is ideal for innovative students who want to work in digital media, fashion and advertising industries. There are many great degree programmes to help you get started. To choose the right pathway, consider the tuition costs, financial support, networking opportunities and practical training. 

While traditional degree programmes focus on linear training, LIS teaches students interdisciplinary skills, giving them flexibility and control over their careers. We provide career and wellbeing programs, internships to learn practical skills, and lectures from industry experts. 

Ready to start your journey to be a creative director? Contact us today.