Graphic Designer Jobs in Michigan

Position Summary

The Senior Graphic Designer leads graphic design services for Monroe County Community College’s creative team and ensures continuity with the college’s Brand Standards Guide. Under limited supervision, the Senior Graphic Designer designs and/or coordinates the development and design and production of a wide range of electronic and/or printed graphic materials, involving a variety of integrated steps and processes and requiring extensive knowledge of specialized, multi-faceted design concepts and media. Creates complex, original graphic design and comprehensive layout concepts, serves as a direct point of contact with internal clients, and oversees and coordinates production of materials, including working directly with printers and other vendors. Leads and guides the work of student designers. The Senior Graphic Designer must exhibit exceptional design skills in achieving high standards for all materials requiring design in assigned projects and tasks. This role must exhibit knowledge of the regional market and college audiences and execute design requests accordingly.

Essential Job Functions

• In collaboration with the Director of Marketing and Communications, is responsible for the visual identity for the college’s public mass communications (e.g. web, print publications, advertising, displays, artwork, illustrations, maps, graphics, brochures, folders, fliers, animations, etc.). Designs within established guidelines specific to MCCC’s intended style and tone, visually portraying the brand image and ensuring it is uniform across all interpretations for both print and digital environments.
• Consults with Marketing and Communications staff in developing creative concepts and ideas for assigned areas and often works directly with college clients and vendors in project management of creative work.
• Serve as an authority of institutional branding and marketing standards of the MCCC brand and its visual identity system. Helps provides design and professional insights for digital and print strategy for internal clients, advertising vendors or community partners of the college.
• Designs and executes creative campaigns and assets, ensuring accuracy, attention to detail, and meeting or exceeding the overall design objectives within MCCC’s established brand standards.
• Translates user needs, specifications and technical requirements into designs that are visually enticing, easy to use and engaging.
• Maintains the department’s established digital asset management system and guides new asset management that may be needed in the future. Creates and uploads photos and other assets to the system; provides user support.
• Manages the graphic design job filing and archiving system.
• Gives and receives constructive feedback and design critiques with the goal of improvement and providing work at the highest possible quality. Mentors and engages with staff and student assistant to enrich and broaden their knowledge and abilities.
• Oversees the graphic design student assistant program, including selection, coaching and mentoring of new students and management of students during their time of employment.
• Designs branding of promotional items, such as T-shirts, pennants, pens, mugs, etc.
• Designs work plans, reports, and PowerPoint displays.
• Coordinates art direction for photo shoots.
• Plans and designs campus signage.
• Coordinates printing capabilities with internal Print Center.
• Participates in professional development to maintain stay current in desktop publishing, including reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, meeting with consultants and vendors, attending conferences and courses, and completing training and/or courses as required by the designated supervisor.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design or related field.
• Four or more years of progressively responsible experience in graphic design within an external agency or in-house communications department.

• Proficiency in the use of graphic design software programs.

Supplemental Information

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite: lnDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator.
• Proficiency in executing creative concepts across platforms, including digital media and print.
• Must have excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage and coordinate multiple projects concurrently.
• Skill in influencing others toward a stated objective.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperation, understanding, trust and credibility.
• Must have excellent typography, design and production skills in both print and digital mediums, with a strong understanding of web, social media and video best practices.
• Skill in interpersonal communication and a record of collaboration and teamwork.
• Skill in creative problem-solving skills and ability to be proactive in presenting solutions to challenges.
• Ability to write and speak effectively and clearly communicate with peers, leadership team and partners.
• Ability to meet established timelines, quality and design objectives, as well as adapt to changing priorities, deadlines and directions.
• Ability to state opinions clearly and verbally describe visual concepts.
• Ability to make effective presentations to individuals and groups
• Skill in applying innovative solutions to resolve complex problems.