Art directors, in a general sense, are responsible for overall visual effects and how the effects will affect moods within the story and how they appeal psychologically to an audience. They make decisions about creative styles implemented and how they are set in motion.
An art director in film is responsible for working in collaboration with a set decorator and manages a team of set designers, illustrators, model makers, costume designers, and makeup and hair stylists to create the mood and themes called for by the script and director.
Sometimes art direction can make or break a good film and it takes quite a bit of work to make things happen. Such as in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, who could imagine what the movie would be like without the great art direction, costumes, and fantastical effects? The same can be said for many other films including the Star Wars franchise, Harry Potter films, Aliens, various period films, epic war dramas like Saving Private Ryan and Atonement and many more. Although we only see the end result, it’s important to remember that behind every good movie not only lays a great director, actors and editors, but also many great artistic minds.