What do you call it when you manage the creation of graphical material, and it's your idea, but someone else does the actual computer work?
January 27, 2010 8:13 PM   Subscribe

I develop publications with an external designer, managing everything from the concept to the fine details - but they do the actual computer work. So that I can be credited appropriately in the publications, I need to give a name to my contribution... but I'm not sure what to call it!

For each project, I dictate how things should look from beginning to end. The initial idea, the layout and location/size of the graphical elements and text on each page, the color scheme, the selection of photos and other art... all this is done by me, and sent to the designer. They do the actual work in Photoshop/Pagemaker/etc, and send me drafts until I'm happy with the result and it goes to the printers. For the designer, this way of working is the exception: their other clients send them a Word document and leave all the design choices up to them.

You're probably thinking 'so what - big deal!' But here's why it's important: for each project, the designer adds a short, discreet line of text to the material that says 'design: [their name]'. I don't mind them doing this, as we have a good relationship that I'd like to keep that way, and it's fair they get their props. But I'd also like appropriate credit for my work.

Therefore I'd like to add something before the 'design:' line, but I'd like your help in deciding what that should be as I'm not actually sure what term I should use for the role I'm playing. 'Concept' seems too basic when I'm managing every step of the process. 'Art direction'? Something else?

(Anonymous because the designer lurks here!)
posted by anonymous to Media & Arts (5 answers total)
 
I would say either editor or project manager describe pretty accurately what you're doing.
posted by scody at 8:21 PM on January 27, 2010


Actually, on rereading your question, I think art director would be better than editor; I initially thought you meant that you selected/developed/managed the text/content in addition to the graphics, but it sounds like you're really just overseeing the visual side of things. Or still go with project manager, in the event that the designer prefers not to think of him/herself as being art directed.
posted by scody at 8:29 PM on January 27, 2010


Art director, if the other person is calling himself designer. But truly, it doesn't sound like he should be getting a design credit at all; it sounds more like he does production and you do the design and art direction.
posted by Uncle Glendinning at 8:31 PM on January 27, 2010


You're an art director. And to be quite honest, it sounds like you should be getting most of the credit - not that the designer isn't important but he is following your vision. In this scenario, if it was in the ad industry, the main credit would be the art director. From the sounds of it, the designer is operating more like a mac artist/operator.
posted by Jubey at 8:56 PM on January 27, 2010


I'd say Creative Director for you and Designer (or Production Artist, depending on skill level) for the underling.
posted by rhizome at 1:03 AM on January 28, 2010 [2 favorites]


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