Associate Vs. Assistant: What's The Difference?

Drafted Staff

In almost every creative field, there are two types of jobs that have similar responsibilities but are considered to be at different levels. These roles are often referred to as ‘assistant’ or ‘associate’, and they can be found in fields such as fashion, advertising, art, and design. In the world of business, the word “assistant” is used to describe someone who provides support to another person. It doesn’t matter what kind of job that individual has as a personal assistant—they could be anything from a secretary to an administrative assistant. There are many creative industries that use the terms “assistant” and “associate” for very specific roles within a company or agency. This article will explain what these titles mean and which one you should apply for based on your experience and skillset.

What is an Associate Creative Producer?

An associate creative producer (or ACP) is more of a creative role than an administrative one. They work closely with creative directors and creative teams to create concepts and ideas for a company’s marketing plan, as well as overseeing the creative team to make sure that the campaign is executed to satisfaction. ACPs often have their hands in multiple marketing campaigns at once. A creative director is responsible for the overall strategy and creative direction of the company’s campaigns and advertising. An ACP works with the creative team to come up with the specifics, such as the copy and visuals that will be used in the advertisements. Unlike an administrative assistant, an ACP works closely with the creative team to come up with the ideas, copy, and visuals for the campaigns. ACPs also oversee the execution of these ideas and ensure that the creative team successfully completes the project.

What is an Assistant Creative Director?

Creative directors often have the title of “assistant” next to their name, but there is also the role of assistant creative director. The only difference between these two titles is the amount of years that someone has been in the industry. In the creative agency world, an assistant creative director is often at the top of the creative chain of command. They will report directly to the creative director and are responsible for managing the team of creatives that report to them. Unlike an ACP, an assistant creative director often has years of experience behind them and is capable of leading creative teams on their own. An assistant creative director is responsible for managing the creative team and making sure that they are following the creative director’s vision. They will work with the creative team to create ideas and visuals, but they will also be responsible for ensuring that the creatives have the tools they need to complete the project.

What is an Art Assistant?

An art assistant will assist an art director with the creation of visual marketing materials for a company or product. This could include things such as storyboards, product mockups, flow charts, brochures, and more. The art director is responsible for the overall creation and direction of these visuals, whereas the art assistant is there to help with the nitty-gritty details of each project. Because this is such an involved and important job, an art assistant is often someone who has been in the industry for at least a few years. Art directors may prefer to work with someone who has experience over someone who is fresh out of school. At the same time, art directors often want to work with people who are eager to learn since they will be mentoring them and showing them the ropes.

What is a Graphic Designer?

A graphic designer is someone who creates visual content for a variety of different industries. This could include anything from brochures, advertisements, logos, or product visuals. Graphic designers are responsible for the overall concept behind these visuals, as well as the final product itself. Graphic designers are often hired by companies or individuals who need help with branding and visual content. A graphic designer will work closely with their client to determine which visuals work best for their product or service. They will create concepts and mockups with different variations so that their client can choose the best one.

What is a Copywriter?

A copywriter is someone who creates the actual “copy” for advertisements, campaigns, and websites. This includes things such as product descriptions, headlines, and testimonials. A copywriter will be hired either by an advertising agency or directly by a company. They will be given a brief that outlines the goals of the campaign and what they are trying to achieve. From there, they will create the copy that will be used in the advertisements or on the website. Copywriters often work closely with an art director to make sure that the copy is incorporated into the visuals correctly. They will also work closely with an ACP or assistant creative director to make sure that the copy aligns with the overall strategy of the campaign.

What is a Storyboard Artist?

A storyboard artist is someone who creates visual storyboards for movies, television shows, and advertisements. They will create a comic-like storyboard that illustrates the intended scenes or shots that will be included in a project. A storyboard artist will work closely with the director and producers to determine the best visuals for the project. Depending on the type of project, the storyboard artist may work directly with the creative team to incorporate their ideas into the storyboard.

Conclusion

There are tons of different creative jobs out there, and each one comes with its own set of responsibilities, challenges, and skill set. If you are looking to break into the creative industry, it’s important to know what each job title entails so that you can pursue the one that best fits your interests, skillset, and experience. If you are just starting out, it’s important to start as an assistant or associate. This will give you the chance to work closely with people in the field and learn from them. It will also allow you to get a feel for the industry before making the jump to a full-time position.

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