Career Suggestion

Art editor

Art editors use content and images to create the visual style and layout of online and printed media.

Average salary (a year)

£28000.0 to £54000.0 (starter to experienced)

Typical hours (a week)

37.0 to 42.0

You could work

evenings occasionally

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

University

It may help to have a higher national diploma (HND), foundation degree or degree in a subject, such as:

  • graphic design
  • art and design
  • illustration
  • fine art
  • photography
  • publishing

It's important to get some experience with a magazine, design studio or publishing organisation.

Your university careers service can help you find relevant work experience, internship and placement opportunities.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • a foundation diploma in art and design

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
  • university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

College

You could apply for a job as an assistant editor after completing a creative or media related course at college.

Relevant subjects include:

  • photography
  • art and design
  • graphic design

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

Work

You may be able to join a company’s creative team as a graphic designer or assistant picture editor.

With experience and further training on the job, you could move on to become deputy art editor and eventually editor.

Direct Application

You can apply directly for jobs if you've got the right skills and experience. You may have an advantage if you have an interest or background in the subjects covered by the company or agency.

For example, an interest in science, architecture or sport might be useful if you want to work on magazines covering those fields.

More Information

Career Tips

It’s helpful to build a portfolio of work that showcases your creative art and design skills to employers.

You can keep up to date with the latest trends, features and design tools by:

  • watching free webinars and doing online training courses
  • reading and watching the latest industry blogs for news, tips and trends
  • exploring how to use artificial intelligence tools to enhance your image editing and desktop publishing skills

Professional and Industry Bodies

You may find it useful to join the Professional Publishers Association (PPA) for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of media production and communication
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to organise your time and workload
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • excellent written communication skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Day-to-day tasks

As an art editor, you could:

  • discuss the design brief with the creative team
  • plan the layout and design of printed and online front covers and pages
  • use your judgement to select artwork, graphics and images for publication
  • work to tight deadlines
  • supervise an editorial team
  • manage and use stock image libraries
  • commission artwork from outside agencies or freelancers
  • check copyright and image licensing rules
  • plan the look and style of artwork for future editions

Working environment

You could work in a creative studio or in an office.

With experience, you could:

  • become an art director
  • work for an advertising agency
  • be self employed as a freelance art editor
  • set up your own design or publishing agency

Related careers

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