Graphics Designer, Level I

Graphics Designer, Level I

Location: NY-New York

Job Description:

GENERAL DUTIES

This class of positions encompasses the performance of technical and/or artistic work necessary for the visual presentation of information data. There are two assignment levels within this class of positions. The following are typical assignments within this class of positions. All employees perform other related duties.

Assignment Level I - under general supervision, performs moderately complex artistic work such as:

− Designs all forms of print and digital materials, consulting with originating departments in order to produce print-ready and web/social media material.

− Prepare art materials, freehand or mechanically, for various art layouts.

− Ensures that departmental work adheres with federal ADA compliance guidelines

− Assists with enforcing brand standards

− Designs and produces internal working forms for various departments, as requested.

− Performs photo retouching

− Assists in the coordination of design projects for the college.

− Creates short animations for use in areas such as video displays, advertisements, social media, and general correspondence.

− Designs Power Point/slideshow presentations from outlines and graphics received from department.

− Performs related work

Assignment Level II - under general supervision, performs work of advanced level such as:

− Estimates production time and may provide cost effective options for publications.

− Assists with outside vendors on specifications and bids, as required.

− May supervise lower ranking personnel as necessary.

− Assists with recruiting and training, as required.

CONTRACT TITLE

Graphics Designer

FLSA

Non-exempt

CAMPUS SPECIFIC INFORMATION

The Graduate Center (GC) is the focal point for advanced teaching and research at the City University of New York (CUNY), the nation's largest urban public university. With over 35 doctoral and master’s programs of the highest caliber, the Graduate Center fosters pioneering research and scholarship in the arts and sciences and prepares students for careers in universities and the private, nonprofit, and government sectors. The Graduate Center’s commitment to research and scholarship for the public good is exemplified by its more than 30 centers, institutes, and initiatives, including its Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC), a 200,000 square-foot facility in upper Manhattan, designed to promote collaboration among scientists in five areas of global research and innovation: nanoscience, photonics, structural biology, neuroscience, and environmental sciences.

The Graduate Center (GC) benefits from highly ambitious and diverse students and alumni—who in turn teach hundreds of thousands of undergraduates every year. Through its public programs, the Graduate Center enhances New York City’s intellectual and cultural life.

The Graphics Designer, Level 1, in the Office of Institutional Advancement and Communications at the GC will handle design work for the institution and its programs, centers, and offices. Through working closely with our office, and internal clients, the designer will work to understand the goals of each project and determine ways to reach those goals through their design work, while adhering to brand standards. Design projects include promotional materials, such as brochures, one-sheets, invitations, business cards, signage, banners, social media graphics, and other materials, digital and/or print versions. The designer also works with our in-house print shop and external printers to determine specifications and complete jobs.

This position reports to the Director of Digital Media.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Coordinate print and digital design projects from concept to completion. This includes intaking client requests, understanding needs and timelines, designing different options, working with editorial team on text content, incorporating feedback, getting final approval from client, and handling the printing process and delivery.

• Develop fresh creative ideas while adhering to and enforcing brand standards. Maintain our brand guide and enforce our branding guidelines across the institution.

• Design promotional and event materials (brochures, banners, social graphics, signage, etc.) with clear, engaging design concepts.

• Create tools for our community and our department, including creating and updating templates with our branding and fillable content areas, for Canva, PowerPoint, Outlook, Word, etc. for our GC community. Similarly, create templates in design software for our department’s internal use to be used for reoccurring jobs.

• Edit, retouch, and prepare photographic images for different needs and to meet specific specs depending on the project. Utilizing stock photos and manipulating them as needed.

• Collaborate with programs, centers, and offices to create logo lock ups with the official Graduate Center logo.

• Work with in-house and external print shops, understanding goals of project in order to recommend paper size/quality, color specifications, and other print needs (binding, perforation, etc.), as well as getting cost estimates for clients.

• Ensure print and digital projects meet accessibility standards, including contrast issues, image requirements/restrictions. Confirm designs follow WCAG, ADA, PDF/UA best practices for digital and print accessibility .

• Create visually engaging emails that are functional across different email clients and devices and adhere to accessibility standards.

• Optimize file formats/web-safe exports.

• Create layouts for PDFs intended for online use that comply with PDF/UA standards

• Produce simple motion graphics or animated assets (GIFs, social reels, etc.), when needed.

• Design cohesive visual identities (step and repeats, podium signage, tablecloths, etc.) for staging our public programming and other events, including commencement and student orientation.

• Organize files, templates, and assets for team use.

• Help recruit and train design-centered intern/part-timers and assist in managing related design-centered work produced by them.

• Work with web team to create and choose graphics for the GC website.

• Contribute innovative ideas for new design initiatives and special projects.

• Provide input on visual strategy and support long-term visual identity planning.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

All full-time and part-time CUNY staff are expected to work in-person 80% of their work time. This hybrid work schedule is subject to change.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1.A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in fine arts, commercial art, or similar, and one (1) year of satisfactory, full-time experience or the freelance equivalent in graphics or related field, or

2.An associate degree from an accredited college or university in fine arts, commercial art, or similar, and two (2) years of satisfactory, full-time experience or the freelance equivalent in graphics or related field, or

3.A high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State's Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization and three (3) years of satisfactory, full-time experience or the freelance equivalent in graphics or related field.

Note:To be placed in Assignment Level II, an additional two (2) years of satisfactory, full-time experience or the freelance equivalent in graphics or related field is required.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

A preferred candidate should have:

• Bachelor's degree and 3 years related experience required.

• Proficiency with InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat Pro, and Canva.

• Experience with developing and implementing brand guidelines and consistent visual identity for an entity.

• Understanding materials and production for printing.

• Familiarity with accessibility issues.

• Experience using Redmine or similar project management software.

• Extremely well-organized and detail oriented.

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.

• Self-motivated and able to prioritize tasks and projects.

• Demonstrated ability to bring fresh, original design ideas to both print and digital media.

• Strong conceptual thinking and ability to translate abstract ideas into engaging visual solutions.

• Portfolio that showcases a wide range of creative projects, including experimental or innovative work.

• Comfort with brainstorming, rapid prototyping, and explaining creative concepts to non-design audiences.

• Curiosity about emerging design trends, tools, and technologies, with a willingness to experiment.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Sponsorship will not be offered for this position.

COMPENSATION

New Hire* - $57,033/year

Incumbent Minimum - $ 64,450/year

*This amount reflects a 13% salary suppression in effect for the first 24 months of employment.

BENEFITS

CUNY offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees and eligible dependents based on job title and classification. Employees are also offered pension and Tax-Deferred Savings Plans. Part-time employees must meet a weekly or semester work hour criteria to be eligible for health benefits. Health benefits are also extended to retirees who meet the eligibility criteria.

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY

CUNY Job Posting: Information Technology/Technical

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.

Job ID

31308

Location

Graduate Center