The job covers all aspects of layout, design and photography.
Day-to-day tasks may include:
laying out pages for the magazine, often to tight deadlines
discussing design and layout ideas with the editor and other colleagues
commissioning and briefing photographers on the style and format of shots required
commissioning illustrators to produce any graphics needed
choosing the best images to use, either from commissioned pictures or stock library photography
drafting rough sketches of the cover design for discussion, then producing the final layout
ensuring that the art elements of the magazine are delivered on time and within budget.
On a broader level, the art editor is responsible for:
setting the magazine's overall visual style
establishing design templates - so that the magazine always has a recognisable look, no matter who lays out the pages
anticipating trends, and presenting proposals to make sure the magazine's design does not become stale
redesigning the magazine for relaunch.
Almost all page design is done on computer. Specialised design software is used. Art editors now use the latest technology to send pages directly to press.
In some companies the art editor may do most of the layout personally. On larger publications, he or she leads and trains a team of designers and art workers.
Art editors must liaise closely with colleagues and freelance contributors, including writers, sub-editors and photographers.