Pinterest to Portfolio #5: The Art Director's Role On Set
All The Things I Wish I Knew Back When I First Started
Okay, so… The pitch is approved. The team’s been briefed. And the perfect crew is in place. It’s shoot day, and everything you’ve planned, pitched, and prepped for is about to come together. This is the moment when all the hard work, late nights, and carefully curated moodboards meet reality. And while it’s tempting to think your job’s done once the shoot kicks off, as an art director, this is when you need to be most present.
On set—Every. Detail. Matters. The lighting, the styling, the smallest hand gesture—they’re all part of the puzzle you’ve been putting together. But a smooth shoot day isn’t just about knowing your vision; it’s about managing the team, troubleshooting on the fly, and, most importantly, knowing when to step in (and when to step back). Here’s what a day on set should look like for an art director.
If you’re new here—hi, welcome! I’ve linked the first four articles in this series below so you can catch up. If you’re a regular, hiiii, thank you for coming back❤️
Pinterest To Portfolio #1: Coming Up With "The Big Idea"
Ah, the big idea. That mythical unicorn of creativity—the one that stops you in your tracks on the Tube, scrolling your phone, or watching TV. Truly great ideas are rare, and when you see one, you know it. But most of the time? You’re left scratching your head, wondering how it ever made it past the pitch stage. Too clever to connect, or so watered down by revisions it’s been reduced to “meh.”
Pinterest To Portfolio #2: Moodboards
Being an art director isn’t just about putting together beautiful moodboards—though I won’t lie, sometimes I wish it were that simple.
Pinterest To Portfolio #3: Pitching Your Idea
The hardest part of working in a creative field? Creativity is subjective.
Pinterest To Portfolio #4: Why Preparing For a Shoot, Can Be More Important Than The Shoot Itself
As the world winds down for the festive season, I’m still in full swing—this year, my only days off are the 30th & 31st. That said, I’m looking forward to a proper break from my full-time job when I go on holiday in January, which actually begins with an exciting project: shooting PS25 abroad. Being deep in the trenches of pre-production for this shoot has me reflecting on the next chapter in this series—the stage that can truly make or break your vision:
This instalment is written for my past self—the version of me who had no clue what to do when I first stepped onto a set as a Junior Art Director. I mean, sure, you have to be agile and learn fast to survive, but honestly? I wish someone had sat me down and given me a heads-up before I walked into that first big, glossy studio.
So, consider this a cheat sheet: everything I wish I’d known when I was starting out, plus the lessons I’ve picked up along the way…
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