Has anyone else ever felt like they had to choose between design and advertising? I feel like I’m at a crossroads and my portfolio as it stands is 50/50. I always thought it was good to be able to do both, but I’m hearing feedback that I need to focus on one or other in order to move up the ranks. Curious what others think.

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Depends, hot take from an old person, it’s never too late to get all conceptual but longevity for us ad’s right now unless you’re medaled up doesn’t seem to be in traditional advertising unless you are partnered up as a team. As an 84 (44) year old cd/ ad in advertising I can tell you copywriters get way more work/ are more desirable then ‘art directors’. and on the cushy Faang/ tech job front, where actual demand is, most ‘cd jobs are really = design director.

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Good advice! Starting to feel like leaning towards design is the way to go. Would you say a senior designer title is equivalent to senior AD? I’m worried it’ll look like a demotion to go from AD to designer, but hopefully worth it in the end

The Art Director path will allow you to be conceptual and also do a little design.

If you go full Designer, you wont be concepting campaigns anymore.

Which interests u more?

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To be completely honest, concepting campaigns is stressful to me because I never properly learned it as a graphic design major so it’s hard to tell if I’m weaker in that area and should just focus on design or if I am just still growing and I need to tough it out!

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CD1 already alluded to this, but I learned to my disappointment that if you have any interest in going in-house, especially in tech, you’re better off focusing on design.

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Kinda seems like design is the way to go! It’s a little hard to accept though because it feels like a demotion to go from AD back to designer. Hopefully will be worth it in the end if I can work my way back up to some sort of director role

I think a CD wants to know is what is career goal? Are you wanting to be a CD or ECD? Then it’s all about the idea, you have to win awards, and you are more marketable based on where you worked and if you have a partner.

If your design is stronger than your ideas, they may think you’re more suitable aspiring to be a Design Director.

I’m a studied Graphic Designer and trained AD. I often get the same feedback when applying for higher AD roles that my portfolio is too design focused. Hardly ever do they think, “Wow! This person can concept and has potential, can photo edit, and do great layouts.”

I will say it’s not impossible. I recently saw a CD’s book that had sections of their site separated into Art Direction, Branding, Illustration, and Experiential. You just have to find the right person that can see your potential and will give you a chance.

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Great advice! Thanks so much

I can totally resonate with you, I’m in that same position. I’m interested in doing UX design and advertising and I’ve been told to choose or the other but I think they kind of overlap each other. Im going with advertising maybe focus on design later down the road at some point

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