Generally, a freelance creative director is tasked with transforming a client’s idea into a concrete and creative output. For many companies, creative directors are also involved with designing a product in a way that reflects a company’s vision and appeals to the general public as well. This job requires a person to be current on trends, have a sense of ingenuity, and possess good social skills.
Industries related to art and marketing are always in need of a freelance creative director. In theatrical plays and films, creative directors can be in charge of preparing and decorating the stage or the set, usually to make the scenes look more alive. They can also manage a team of designers assigned in different departments: costume, lighting, or music. Fashion shows and media events can also benefit from a creative director, who can work alongside an events coordinator to prepare the venue, set the menu, and create the ambiance ideal for the event.
A freelance creative director can also work for technology-related industries, such as computers, appliances, and automobiles. Companies like these want to offer the public not only an effective gadget, but one that is attractive as well. In this case, creative directors can work with product designers and contribute to the overall appearance of the product. They can also work with writers and graphic artists to come up with advertisements and promotions once the product is available on the market.
Web-related companies can also be another working opportunity for a freelance creative director. Working in industries like these can involve laying out and designing an interactive website and deciding which content to include. Even video games are in need of a freelance creative director, who can create a narrative plot within the game, design characters and their abilities, and construct the different obstacles in each game level.
Many creative directors are employed by advertising agencies, which seek clients and companies to work for. Under an agency, the director continually works with the same creative team, making for good interaction and rapport among the group. A freelance creative director, however, is not associated with any agency, but is self-employed and directly looks for clients; this means he should have superior social skills to be able to work and relate to different people. On the financial aspect, a freelancer has the advantage of receiving a higher salary, as no percentage is given to the agency itself. Freelance creative directors also get to choose which clients they want to work for and may find more fulfillment in the process of creating and designing.