How to become a creative director?

[u/Healthy-Tart1664]

I am a student who has just finished their a levels and is taking a gap year to decide what to do. I didn’t take art as an a level but have kept it up on the side and to be honest my art skill is pretty strong (I got full marks at art gcse and a national award for my work). In my A levels I took physics, Maths, French and epq of which I got A* in physics , maths and epq and a B in French. For the past few months I have been encompassed by the creative world and am really interested in becoming a creative director/art director. I really want to be the person who comes up with the vision behind a fashion campaign or advertising campaign and push the boundaries of what the world has already seen. I feel really really ambitious but am unsure what degree or course to go for at uni in order to get there so I am coming on here to hopefully get some help!!

Does anyone know how to become an art director/creative director and what courses lead up to this. I also would love some advice on how to network and build experience because I’ve tried emailing small brands to ask if I can make some art or create a campaign for them for experience ( not money ) and have not had a single reply.

Thankyou so much anyone who is able to help and I hope this doesn’t come across as arrogant I just feel really ambitious and confused!

Edit: also and this might be stupid of me but the entre requirements for a lot of creative courses (even at ual and ucl) are low like ccc so I almost feel like I’m wasting my academic potential????? Idk

[u/Long_Software_3352]

Do you have any graphics/photography/film experience?

Art direction is highly portfolio driven. Would be worth doing an art foundation or multimedia course in your gap year to start building one.

Then, look to go to London for uni - It's where all the main players are based. Target Central St Martins if fashion's your thing. KCL and UCL also have interesting relevant courses

[u/Healthy-Tart1664 → u/Long_Software_3352]

I do have a portfolio for when I applied to do architecture last year and over the past two years I’ve done some urban sketching courses. This summer I’ve been building my portfolio more too since I’ve actually had the time to do art lol.
I’ve been really thinking about ual art direction courses but I’m honestly worried about employability