Graphic Communications Designer / Senior Graphic Designer

Work as part of a creative team to develop high-impact digital and print communications that tell the exciting story of research at Illinois and support the university's research community.

Responsibilities

• Create clear, compelling design solutions that meet communication objectives and maintain brand standards.
• Manage production of all design/marketing materials from conception to completion, ensuring work is produced on schedule and held to a high standard, with exceptional attention to detail.
• Design and implement creative marketing and storytelling strategies for a broad range of audiences.
• Effectively communicate and present design concepts to teammates, OVCRI stakeholders, and communications partners across campus.
• Build and maintain relationships with area printers and other vendors regarding format and print processes to ensure materials meet specifications and standards while maintaining brand consistency.
• Obtain estimates and oversee installation when necessary.
• Provide photo editing, photo direction, and basic photography when needed.
• Research trends and technologies in visual communication, graphic design, typography, and web, digital, and social media.
• Become well-versed in areas of digital and print accessibility according to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and best practices for color contrast, readability, and more.
• Collaborate closely with OVCRI creative team members, paying special attention to how graphics and photography are woven into headlines and other copy, to create seamless, unified storytelling.
• Participate in discovery and brainstorming sessions with the team, stakeholders, and communications partners across campus.
• Support the communication needs of OVCRI units and stakeholders through thoughtful listening, strategy, creative problem solving, and timely execution of design materials.
• Participate in unit and/or campus leadership/service opportunities.
• Create production schedules for all phases of projects that include design.
• Help set up projects in the project management platform (Basecamp), and maintain project updates, sharing of design files, etc.
• Maintain organized, up to date project folders, design files, and other assets in Box.
• Archive completed projects and related information.
• Help direct design interns.
• Ensure digital and print accessibility and best practices for color contrast, readability, and more (Senior Graphic Designer).
• Participate in and help plan/lead discovery and brainstorming sessions with the team, stakeholders, and communications partners across campus (Senior Graphic Designer).
• Provide design leadership for other OVCRI marcom teams/individuals; participate in campus leadership/service (Senior Graphic Designer).
• Supervise direct design interns (Senior Graphic Designer).

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business administration, communications, public relations, or a closely related field.
• One year of professional work experience in marketing, public relations, communications, brand management, or a related professional area for Graphic Communications Designer.
• Three (3) years (36 months) of professional work experience in marketing, public relations, communications, brand management, or a related professional area for Senior Graphic Designer.
• Demonstrated experience designing both print and digital assets.

Key Skills

• Expertise in graphic design elements, layouts, typography.
• Ability to translate complex ideas into creative visual solutions.
• Curiosity, flexibility, and commitment to creative thinking.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills (both verbal and written).
• Strong organizational skills and a thorough knowledge of all aspects of print and digital production.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Advanced skills in current design software including Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a sometimes-fast-paced environment, managing multiple projects at a time.
• Preferred: Demonstrated understanding of marketing strategy and audience distinctions.
• Preferred: Ability to present and explain creative concepts and strategies.
• Preferred: Skills in digital animation, photography, user experience design, and video.
• Preferred: Clear understanding of Web Content and Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
• Preferred: Demonstrated skills in digital animation, photography, user experience design, and video (Senior Graphic Designer).
• Preferred: Experience managing/mentoring design interns (Senior Graphic Designer).

Benefits

• The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position.