Senior Graphic Designer

The Senior Graphic Designer creates complex design materials to visually communicate SMUD's goals, programs, and events. This role involves collaborating with the graphics team and providing training and guidance to other employees on design techniques.

Responsibilities

• Assists the Art Director in assigning, directing, training, and monitoring the work of the Graphic Design department's projects, computer operation, layout/type design, illustration, and printing specifications.
• Assists the Art Director in the daily scheduling of work requests by assigning, prioritizing and processing new work requests; reviews completed projects.
• Plans, designs, arranges, and creates comps for presentation and final art files for full color copying from in-house and outside printing vendors.
• Creates advanced designs using a wide variety of inspiration and style to the appropriate computer applications.
• Coordinates graphic work with in-house and commercial printers; establishes overall printing specifications such as the appropriate paper specs, dimensions, ink, and colors; performs press checks.
• Designs and coordinates construction or production of freestanding displays.
• Consults with clients and prepares graphics to support training, lectures, seminars, and meetings.
• Creates advertising, charts, graphs, flyers, signs, brochures, reports, and other materials.
• Operates Mac-based computer and uses advanced-level related software (such as the Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign).
• Takes photographs using a smart phone or digital camera for comps.

Requirements

• High school diploma or satisfactory completion of an acceptable General Education Development (GED) Test
• Three (3+) or more years of related experience.
• Knowledge of materials, techniques, tools, and equipment used in graphic design; fundamentals and techniques of design, mockups, layouts, and electronic files for printing; advanced color theory and typography; advanced production and freehand drawing and lettering techniques; photographic procedures and techniques, including the use of cameras, reproduction, design best practices, and graphic design software including current versions of Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign.
• Skills to plan, direct and review the work of others on a project or day-to-day basis; develop and consolidate design ideas and presentations; select methods, media and equipment best suited to attain desired visual effects; establish quality, color, size, and type of paper; make scale drawings in black and white and color; use smart phone and digital cameras to shoot photos for use in comps, research or reference, and in some cases, printed pieces; consult with clients on graphic needs for a variety of projects; interact tactfully and effectively with SMUD staff and others in a team environment; understand oral and written instructions; work under the pressure of tight deadlines; work with a variety of computer applications and software applications; communicate effectively both orally and in writing internally and externally; and work on one's own under minimum supervision.
• Desirable Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design or a related field. Membership to professional graphic design/advertising associations. Awards for work in graphic design/advertising. Understanding and development of a multi-channel campaign. A strong knowledge of branding and how to evolve it. A compelling portfolio demonstrating creativity, versatility, and a solid understanding of design principles and branding.

Key Skills

• Graphic design experience
• Knowledge of design fundamentals and techniques
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign)
• Photographic procedures and techniques
• Design best practices
• Project management and scheduling
• Advanced design creation
• Printing specifications and press checks
• Client consultation and graphic preparation
• Photography for comps