UA Production Artist/Graphic Designer / Graphic Artist III

Michigan State University - East Lansing, MI

Full-time - Mid Level

Remote - East Lansing, MI

Educational Services

About the position

University Advancement is seeking a Production Artist/Graphic Designer to join its Engagement Team. The designer will play a crucial role in the development and execution of marketing and communication projects across various channels. We are looking for candidates who have a proven track record of contributing to personalized communication materials as well as multichannel marketing campaigns that not only look great but also perform efficiently. The ideal candidate is a forward-thinker who is aware of current trends and possesses excellent verbal and written communication skills. The Designer's work will support a variety of clients, including the Alumni Office, Annual Giving, Principal Gifts, and Donor Relations. The candidate must be proficient in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, and all social media platforms. Prior experience working on a wide range of marketing functions, including branding, communications, advertising, email marketing, digital marketing, presentations, and websites is required. Digital photography skills are a plus. The role involves producing creative designs and visually compelling, on-brand materials for a variety of print and digital products using Adobe Creative Suite. The designer will prepare final press-ready files based on supplied specifications for numerous types of printing, including offset, web, screen, and digital. Additionally, the designer will be responsible for making various formats of supplied artwork production-ready, resolving any artwork issues that arise during production, and providing image retouching and manipulation. The role also includes creating custom PowerPoint presentations and templates, preparing images and web banners for online and mobile applications, and collaborating closely with directors, art directors, writers, project managers, and other staff. The designer will maintain knowledge of MSU branding standards and accessibility requirements, ensuring compliance with archival and preservation standards.

Responsibilities

• Produce creative designs and visually compelling, on-brand materials for a variety of print and digital products using Adobe Creative Suite.
• Prepare final press-ready files based on supplied specifications for numerous types of printing - offset, web, screen, digital, etc.
• Make various formats of supplied artwork production-ready and resolve any artwork issues that arise during production.
• Provide image retouching, clipping paths, and additional image manipulation.
• Package and preflight files for release to printers.
• Create PDFs for print and client review.
• Create custom PowerPoint presentations and templates.
• Prepare images, web banners, etc. for online and mobile applications.
• Collaborate closely with directors, art directors, writers, project managers, and other staff.
• Assist as needed in photo and video shoots.
• Track and coordinate assignment progress and status using the Engagement Team's project tracking system.
• Coordinate production with Advancement and college/unit colleagues.
• Maintain knowledge of MSU branding standards and accessibility requirements and understand how it impacts print and online production.

Requirements

• Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Commercial Art, Graphic Design or a related field.
• Five to eight years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in commercial or graphic art including marketing and supervision, print production, graphic techniques and procedures, computer graphics, web page design software.
• Must have a valid driver's license.
• 5+ years of design production skills and a proven track record of working to deadlines in a complex environment.
• 5+ years of producing digital design files and press-ready print files.
• Knowledgeable of ADA and WCAG standards.
• Knowledge of print production and production of design for online, social media, and nontraditional media.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

Nice-to-haves

• BA degree or higher preferred.
• Collaborative team-oriented style with the ability to work with a variety of personality types and sensitivity to various cultures.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines.