Art editor

Career path and progression

With experience, you could:

• become an art director
• work at an advertising agency
• become self employed as a freelance art editor
• set up your own design agency

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

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

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Art and Design - Art editors need a strong eye for visual composition, colour, and style to design magazine layouts and covers. They make decisions about how images, typography, and graphics work together on every page to create a cohesive and appealing look.
• Design and Technology - Art editors use the design process daily, from developing initial concepts to producing finished page layouts. Understanding how to work through design briefs, iterate on ideas, and use tools to create polished visual outputs is at the core of the role.
• English Language - Art editors work closely with text, deciding how headlines, captions, and body copy sit alongside images on a page. They need strong communication skills to write briefs for freelancers, discuss ideas with colleagues, and ensure the words and visuals tell a coherent story.

Also relevant

• Media Studies - Art editors shape how magazines communicate across print and digital formats. Media Studies builds an understanding of how images, text, and layout work together to create meaning and appeal to specific readerships – helping inform the editorial and design decisions behind every page.
• Computer Science - Art editors use desktop publishing and computer graphics software every day, and increasingly work with digital publishing platforms. Understanding how software tools work at a deeper level helps them solve technical problems, automate repetitive tasks, and adapt to new digital formats.
• Business - Art editors manage freelance designers, illustrators, and photographers, which involves budgeting, scheduling, and coordinating projects. Those who go on to set up their own design agency or work freelance also need to understand how to run a business and manage clients.
• English Literature - Art editors need to understand the tone and themes of written content so they can match the visual style to the editorial voice. A feel for narrative, mood, and audience – skills developed through studying literature – helps them make design choices that complement the writing.