What does a video game art director do

A video game art director is mainly responsible for these areas:
1. Creating the artistic vision for a video game
2. Communicating that vision to the game's publisher, management, producers and team
3. Maintaining that vision consistently throughout the production process
4. Mentoring art staff so their careers and artistic skills flourish
5. Being heavily involved in the hiring of new art staff
6. Communicating regularly with other studio departments to ensure the art direction is feasible and supported properly by code, engine etc.
7. Offering educational opportunities to the art team. This includes seminars, training courses, life drawing classes etc.
Various artists may create or develop specific parts of an art piece or scene; but a sole art director unifies the vision. In particular, the art director is in charge of the overall visual appearance and how it communicate visually, stimulates moods, contrasts features, and psychologically appeals to a target audience. The art director makes decisions about visual elements used, what artistic style to use, and when to use motion.
One of the most difficult problems that art directors face is to translate desired moods, messages, concepts, and underdeveloped ideas into imagery. During the brainstorming process, art directors, coworkers, and clients are engaged in imagining what the finished piece or scene might look like. At times, an art director is ultimately responsible for solidifying the vision of the collective imagination while resolving conflicting agendas and inconsistencies between the various individual inputs.