Graphic Designer Jobs in Chicago, IL
Graphic Designer jobs in Chicago are concentrated in the Loop, River North, and Fulton Market, with strong hiring across advertising agencies, retail brands, and digital media. Employers actively filling roles include Cannon Design, University of Illinois, and Levy. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 27+ Graphic Designer jobs
Extra Help - Graphic Designer Associate - Instructional Design & Media Studio
This Position is temporary and limited to 900 hours.
Hiring Department: Instructional Design & Media Studio
Location: Chicago, IL USA
Requisition ID: 1042851
Hours per Week: 37.5
# of Positions: 1
Workplace Type: Hybrid
Salary: The rate of pay for this position is $35.66 per hour.
About the University of Illinois Chicago
UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.
This position is not eligible for benefits.
Position Summary
The Extra Help Graphic Designer Associate (Multimedia Designer) is responsible for creating visually engaging and pedagogically effective design solutions for various educational materials and digital platforms. This role will offer project assistance by generating various visual and multimedia elements, including graphics, illustrations, animations, videos, and audio content. The Graphic Designer Associate incorporates design principles and accessibility standards that enhance the quality of educational experiences.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Design and produce visuals in support of online, asynchronous, and blended courses, including illustrations, infographics, images, video, animations, 2D assets, 3D assets, games, and simulation elements.
- Seek feedback and revise visual products to meet client requirements.
- Determine the most efficient and economical means of producing artwork to convey or enhance the subject matter.
- Assist collaborators in meeting due dates and producing throughout the creative and project management process
- Design and develop engaging visual content within Learning Management System modules.
- Combine graphics with type for optimal learning opportunities that align with principles of learning with multimedia.
- Collaborate with video specialists, instructional designers, and subject-matter experts to identify and solve teaching and learning challenges using visual multimedia solutions.
- Update and redesign existing course visuals to meet project requirements.
- Remain current with and incorporate the latest industry technology tools and trends in online education and instructional media.
- Proactively engage in professional development to stay up to date on the use of applications and emergent technologies that support the learning process as well as institutional policies and industry standards for ADA / WCAG compliance, UIC marketing/brand management, etc.
- Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- Any one or any combination that equals thirty-six (36) months from the categories below1:
AND
- credit for progressively more advanced college or art-school course work that would lead to a major in graphic/visual arts communication and/or design
- 60 semester hours equals 12 months
- 90 semester hours equals 24 months
- 120 semester hours or a Bachelor's Degree equals 36 months
- work experience and/or on-the-job training that provided knowledge of progressively more advanced, generally accepted principles, theories, practices, and methods used in graphic designs and their applications to visual communications problems that are/is comparable to the training provided in the programs such as graphic/visual arts communication and/or design
- credit for progressively more advanced college or art-school course work that would lead to a major in graphic/visual arts communication and/or design
- Twelve (12) months of progressively more responsible work experience and/or training comparable to that performed at the Graphic Designer Assistant level of this series
1A Master's Degree in visual design, with emphasis in visual arts communication or a closely related field, meets all minimum acceptable qualifications for the Graphic Designer Associate level of this series.
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated expertise with design and media development tools, including the Adobe Creative Suite, video production tools, and the Google and Microsoft Office Productivity Suites.
- Experience with various design disciplines.
- Experience working in a wide range of media and technologies for a variety of audiences.
A strong understanding of design principles, including layout, typography, color theory, and composition. - Knowledge of advanced drawing, art history, and advanced photographic techniques. Knowledge of ADA/WCAG policies.
- Familiarity with educational theories, curriculum development, and instructional design principles.
- Strong aesthetic and analytical skills, design composition and typographic abilities. Skilled in producing vector graphics and digital illustrations using digital illustration software and tools such as Adobe Illustrator and Procreate.
- Skillful web development skills (e.g., html5, css3, web content management systems). Able to efficiently execute video production and design processes.
- Capable of performing video and audio editing (e.g., Adobe Premiere, Audition). Can build accessible learning assets in compliance with ADA / WCAG requirements. Competency with Windows OS and Mac OS.
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; Listens effectively during collaborative and team discussions about project goals and needs.
- Ability to convey complex information and concepts visually. Can incorporate multimedia elements such as animation, videos, and interactive graphics into educational materials.
- Able to design and prepare final production ready graphics.
- Adept at managing multiple simultaneous projects and working under pressure to meet tight deadlines.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
Extra Help - Graphic Designer Associate - Instructional Design & Media Studio
This Position is temporary and limited to 900 hours.
Hiring Department: Instructional Design & Media Studio
Location: Chicago, IL USA
Requisition ID: 1042851
Hours per Week: 37.5
# of Positions: 1
Workplace Type: Hybrid
Salary: The rate of pay for this position is $35.66 per hour.
About the University of Illinois Chicago
UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.
This position is not eligible for benefits.
Position Summary
The Extra Help Graphic Designer Associate (Multimedia Designer) is responsible for creating visually engaging and pedagogically effective design solutions for various educational materials and digital platforms. This role will offer project assistance by generating various visual and multimedia elements, including graphics, illustrations, animations, videos, and audio content. The Graphic Designer Associate incorporates design principles and accessibility standards that enhance the quality of educational experiences.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Design and produce visuals in support of online, asynchronous, and blended courses, including illustrations, infographics, images, video, animations, 2D assets, 3D assets, games, and simulation elements.
- Seek feedback and revise visual products to meet client requirements.
- Determine the most efficient and economical means of producing artwork to convey or enhance the subject matter.
- Assist collaborators in meeting due dates and producing throughout the creative and project management process
- Design and develop engaging visual content within Learning Management System modules.
- Combine graphics with type for optimal learning opportunities that align with principles of learning with multimedia.
- Collaborate with video specialists, instructional designers, and subject-matter experts to identify and solve teaching and learning challenges using visual multimedia solutions.
- Update and redesign existing course visuals to meet project requirements.
- Remain current with and incorporate the latest industry technology tools and trends in online education and instructional media.
- Proactively engage in professional development to stay up to date on the use of applications and emergent technologies that support the learning process as well as institutional policies and industry standards for ADA / WCAG compliance, UIC marketing/brand management, etc.
- Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- Any one or any combination that equals thirty-six (36) months from the categories below1:
AND
- credit for progressively more advanced college or art-school course work that would lead to a major in graphic/visual arts communication and/or design
- 60 semester hours equals 12 months
- 90 semester hours equals 24 months
- 120 semester hours or a Bachelor's Degree equals 36 months
- work experience and/or on-the-job training that provided knowledge of progressively more advanced, generally accepted principles, theories, practices, and methods used in graphic designs and their applications to visual communications problems that are/is comparable to the training provided in the programs such as graphic/visual arts communication and/or design
- credit for progressively more advanced college or art-school course work that would lead to a major in graphic/visual arts communication and/or design
- Twelve (12) months of progressively more responsible work experience and/or training comparable to that performed at the Graphic Designer Assistant level of this series
1A Master's Degree in visual design, with emphasis in visual arts communication or a closely related field, meets all minimum acceptable qualifications for the Graphic Designer Associate level of this series.
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated expertise with design and media development tools, including the Adobe Creative Suite, video production tools, and the Google and Microsoft Office Productivity Suites.
- Experience with various design disciplines.
- Experience working in a wide range of media and technologies for a variety of audiences.
A strong understanding of design principles, including layout, typography, color theory, and composition. - Knowledge of advanced drawing, art history, and advanced photographic techniques. Knowledge of ADA/WCAG policies.
- Familiarity with educational theories, curriculum development, and instructional design principles.
- Strong aesthetic and analytical skills, design composition and typographic abilities. Skilled in producing vector graphics and digital illustrations using digital illustration software and tools such as Adobe Illustrator and Procreate.
- Skillful web development skills (e.g., html5, css3, web content management systems). Able to efficiently execute video production and design processes.
- Capable of performing video and audio editing (e.g., Adobe Premiere, Audition). Can build accessible learning assets in compliance with ADA / WCAG requirements. Competency with Windows OS and Mac OS.
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; Listens effectively during collaborative and team discussions about project goals and needs.
- Ability to convey complex information and concepts visually. Can incorporate multimedia elements such as animation, videos, and interactive graphics into educational materials.
- Able to design and prepare final production ready graphics.
- Adept at managing multiple simultaneous projects and working under pressure to meet tight deadlines.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
See All 27 Graphic Designer Jobs in Chicago
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Find Graphic Designer JobsGraphic Designer Job Market in Chicago
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate
Graphic Designer Jobs in Chicago: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a graphic designer job in Chicago?
Chicago's graphic designer market is strongest in advertising and branding agencies clustered in River North, in-house creative teams at major retailers and food brands headquartered downtown, and fast-growing digital media companies in Fulton Market. Candidates with a strong portfolio tailored to brand identity or packaging design tend to move faster here. Networking through local design organizations like AIGA Chicago and attending industry events in the city also gives applicants a meaningful edge over remote applicants.
Which companies hire graphic designers in Chicago?
Companies currently hiring graphic designers in Chicago include Cannon Design, University of Illinois, and Levy, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Chicago's mix of Fortune 500 corporate headquarters, independent creative agencies, and consumer goods companies means there is consistent demand at both the agency and in-house level.
Are there remote graphic designer jobs in Chicago?
Yes, though it varies by specialization. Graphic designers working in digital, UX, or motion tend to find remote options more readily than those in print production or packaging, where hands-on collaboration with vendors and printers is common. About 36% of graphic designer openings tied to Chicago are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with hybrid arrangements especially common among in-house teams at Chicago's large corporate employers.
How can I get a graphic designer job in Chicago with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Chicago is through junior or assistant designer roles at mid-size advertising agencies in River North, many of which hire recent graduates from local programs at SAIC, Columbia College Chicago, and DePaul. Internships that convert to full-time roles are common at Chicago's consumer packaged goods and retail companies. A focused portfolio showing brand, digital, or social media work gives entry-level candidates the strongest foothold in this market.
Which industries hire the most graphic designers in Chicago?
Most graphic designer openings in Chicago sit in Construction & Real Estate, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Chicago's deep base of advertising agencies, consumer goods brands, and financial services firms with large marketing teams makes it one of the more consistently active markets for in-house and agency creative work in the Midwest.
See All 27 Graphic Designer Jobs in Chicago
Find roles in Chicago that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Graphic Designer Jobs