Visual Designer
University of San Francisco - San Francisco, CA
posted 2 days ago
About the position
The University of San Francisco's Office of Marketing Communications (OMC) provides centralized marketing and communications services to the USF community and in support of the university overall. OMC provides in-house full-service marketing capabilities ranging from creative services to multimedia-integrated relationships, with a seven-figure annual advertising spend. In partnership with the president's and provost's offices, departments, divisions, and the schools and college (OMC's 'partners'), this work communicates with varied audiences, including prospective students, alumni, and the business community via the university's website (usfca.edu), social media channels, alumni magazine, and other outlets and platforms. University of San Francisco's mission statement animates all aspects of university life and work. USF celebrates diversity in all its forms - through inclusive dialogues, interpersonal experiences, and intercultural appreciation - in support of a thriving campus climate and inclusive excellence. Working under the supervision of the Director of Creative Services, the Visual Designer is part of the team that includes a Jr. Visual Designer, Senior Visual Designer, Production Manager, and Director of Creative Services, as well as a small group of student design interns. The Visual Designer partners with multiple teams within the Office of Marketing Communications and joins the multimedia team to round out the creative group within the marketing division at USF. The Visual Designer ideates and creates on behalf of the university, working with the Creative Director, and acts as a support to the Senior Visual Designer. Projects range from working with precise established aesthetics to projects with more creative leeway, all while keeping within the brand identity of the university.
Responsibilities
- Produce top-tiered marketing materials for both print and digital formats that support student recruitment, fundraising, alumni relations, and other communication efforts, including the university magazine, admission recruitment materials, university events, and advertising.
- Create concepts and designs for print and digital projects, and other special projects, producing them to be print- or publish-ready, as coordinated by Production Manager and aligned to media specifications.
- Provide layouts and printed comps to marketing strategists and partners for approval with clear and well-informed design rationale.
- Partner closely with the multimedia, marketing strategy, web communications, social, and editorial teams on a multitude of projects.
- Utilize conventional design software Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, etc.) to create concepts and designs for publications (print and digital) as assigned.
- Successfully handle up to 15+ projects simultaneously under deadline pressure and with an exceptional attention to detail and ability to communicate effectively with colleagues.
- Provide detailed printing and mailing specs to Production Manager to secure price estimates.
- Act as liaison to Graphic Center and Art & Architecture programs, USF's on-campus student-run design shop, and the OMC design department. Mentor the student designers that meet on a weekly basis, and make recommendations to Senior Visual Designer for potential student intern candidates.
- Collaborate with Production Manager to preflight files for print or digital and insure files are prepared properly for distribution.
- Play a role in advocating for and upholding the USF brand identity, managing the logo assets library, and educating the campus community about the brand messaging, guidelines, and appropriate logo usage.
- Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree
- At least two to five years of prior visual design experience
- Must have strong design acumen and creative concepting
- Exceptional attention to detail and ability to manage and prioritize multiple concurrent projects at varying stages of production
- Keen time management and communications skills
- Robust willingness to collaborate and strong interpersonal skills
- Ability to develop and effectively pitch creative concepts
Nice-to-haves
- Web development skills, including HTML, CSS, and a familiarity with Drupal CMS or similar platform are preferred
- Editorial design, art direction, and social media design experience a plus
- Additional creative software expertise (video, animation, audio, etc.) a plus
- An understanding of usability and user-centric online design a plus
- Illustration, animation, and photography skills a plus
