Associate Graphic Designer

Art and Wellness Enterprises•Bentonville, AR

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Graphic Designer plays a vital role in supporting and elevating the creative and visual direction of our projects. This position not only ensures the accurate translation of design concepts into print-ready production files and digital assets but also contributes original creative work across a wide range of design needs. Working closely with - and supporting - every member of the design team, the Associate Graphic Designer is responsible for producing high‑quality marketing materials, digital designs, advertisements, and other visual content that adhere to brand guidelines. In addition to production excellence, this role is expected to work independently on creative assignments, support campaign development, explore multiple design directions, and contribute thoughtful visual problem‑solving to larger initiatives. Success in this role requires strong attention to detail, technical mastery of design software, conceptual curiosity, and a refined sense of visual aesthetics. This is an exciting opportunity for a designer who is ready to grow creatively, contribute meaningfully to our visual identity, and take on both production execution and independent design development.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in graphic design: Two-year program that provided foundational knowledge and practical skills in graphic design. Topics covered: design principles, typography, color theory, image editing, layout design, and software proficiency.
Proven experience as a production designer or graphic designer with a strong portfolio showcasing production and/or design projects across various mediums.
Expert proficiency in graphic design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and other design tools.
Solid understanding of typography, layout principles, color theory, and visual hierarchy.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and clients.
Strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Minimum 1-year of technical experience with prepress and print production processes.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in graphic design: A four-year bachelor's degree program with comprehensive education in graphic design. Topics covered: design theory, conceptualization, web design, print design, motion graphics.
Bachelor’s degree in visual communication or a Related Field: Degrees in visual communication, communication design, or similar fields. Topics covered: broad range of visual communication concepts.
Two-years of experience with prepress and print production processes.
1-2 Years of Professional Experience: Production Designer or Graphic Designer: This experience could be gained through full-time, freelance work, or part-time design positions.
Freelance Designer: Practical design production experience even without extensive full-time work experience.
Design Assistant: Work as a design assistant in a studio, agency, or non-profit setting with experience in handling design files, adhering to brand guidelines, and supporting other designers.
Design Production Assistant: Graphic design roles focused on print and digital production.
Communication Skills: Clear and effective communication to understand project requirements, present design ideas, and work collaboratively with team members, clients, and stakeholders.
Attention to Detail: Production work requires meticulous attention to detail to ensure that designs are accurate, consistent, and adhere to brand guidelines, especially when preparing files for print.
Team Collaboration: Graphic designers often work within teams, so being able to contribute positively, share ideas, give and receive feedback, and adapt to different working styles is essential.
Time Management: Meeting deadlines and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
Problem-Solving Skills: Being able to analyze problems, brainstorm solutions, and adapt your designs accordingly is valuable.
Flexibility and Adaptability: Design projects can evolve, and requirements may change. Being flexible and adaptable to adjustments helps maintain the quality of your work while meeting shifting needs.
Patience: Dealing with revisions, edits, and changes is part of the design process. Having patience when addressing feedback and making necessary adjustments is essential.
Creative Thinking: While production work involves adhering to established design guidelines, creativity is still important, especially when finding innovative ways to present information or solve design challenges.
Empathy: Understanding the audience's perspective and the goals of the project helps you create designs that resonate with the target audience and effectively communicate the intended message.
Adherence to Deadlines: Consistently delivering work on time demonstrates reliability and helps maintain the overall project schedule.
Resilience: Design work can be demanding, with tight deadlines and high expectations. Being resilient in the face of challenges or setbacks is valuable to maintain a positive attitude and continue producing quality work.
Ethical Integrity.

Responsibilities

Creative conceptualization: Provide creative conceptualization and ideation for marketing campaign development.
Work independently on creative design needs and visual problem-solving.
Explore multiple design directions and contributing to concept development.
Prepare Print-Ready Materials: Convert design concepts into print-ready files, ensuring accurate color profiles, resolutions, and bleed settings for various printing methods.
Digital Asset Creation: Produce digital graphics for online platforms, including social media, websites, email campaigns, and digital advertising.
Adhere to Brand Guidelines: Maintain consistency with established brand guidelines and ensure all designs align with the company's visual identity.
Layout Design: Create layouts for brochures, flyers, posters, and other marketing collateral, arranging images and text in an aesthetically pleasing and coherent manner.
Image Editing and Enhancement: Retouch and manipulate images to enhance visual appeal and ensure they meet the required standards.
Typography: Select and implement appropriate fonts, sizes, and styles to enhance readability and overall design aesthetics.
Collaborate with Design Team: Work closely with and support other designers, art directors, and creative leads to bring design concepts to life and achieve project objectives.
File Management: Organize and manage design files, maintain version control, and ensure efficient file sharing among team members.
Secondary proofreading: Review designs for spelling, grammar, and accuracy before finalizing them for production.
Quality Control: Perform thorough checks on design files to identify and rectify any technical issues or discrepancies before sending them for production.
Adapt to Feedback: Incorporate feedback from team members, clients, and stakeholders to refine and improve designs.
Time Management: Prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and manage multiple projects simultaneously to ensure timely delivery of design assets.
Stay Updated: Keep up-to-date with design trends, software updates, and industry best practices to continuously enhance skills and knowledge.
Communication: Clearly communicate design choices, concepts, and technical considerations with team members and clients.
File Format Conversion: Convert design files between various formats for different platforms and purposes.
Assist in Pre-Press Setup: Collaborate with print vendors to ensure accurate pre-press setup and troubleshoot any technical issues that may arise.
Problem Solving: Identify and address potential design challenges or technical issues during the production process.
Support Other Design Needs: Assist in various design-related tasks as needed, such as photo research, icon creation, and visual mockups.
Animation and Motion Graphics: Create simple animations and motion graphics for videos, presentations, or web banners, adding an engaging dynamic element to visual content.
Content Creation: Generate original visual content, such as infographics, charts, and diagrams, to communicate complex information effectively.
Presentation Design: Design visually appealing and engaging presentation materials for internal and external use, such as sales pitches or company updates.
Sustainability Considerations: Integrate sustainable design practices into projects, considering eco-friendly materials, printing methods, and resource conservation.
Data Visualization: Translate complex data into visually appealing and understandable graphics, charts, and visualizations.