Design and Production Associate

NEWSWELL at Arizona State University•Chicago, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

NEWSWELL Chicago, the new home of four iconic Chicago area publications, is seeking a detail-driven Ad Design and Print Production Associate. This role will be responsible for bringing journalism, advertising, and marketing materials to life across print and digital platforms. The associate will oversee design and production for printed publications, marketing materials, and digital advertising content, acting as a liaison between creative design teams and external print vendors. The position requires a combination of creative understanding, technical print production knowledge, strong project management, and communication skills. NEWSWELL Chicago's network includes the Austin Weekly News, Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest, Forest Park Review, and the Riverside–Brookfield Landmark. These publications have deep roots and significant energy, covering creative, culturally rich, and future-shaping neighborhoods on Chicago's West Side and near-west suburbs. In February 2026, NEWSWELL acquired the assets of Growing Community Media to ensure these vital outlets have the stability, resources, and vision to thrive. NEWSWELL supports newsrooms in becoming nonprofit and community-focused, offering strategic guidance, innovative solutions, and operational support, enabling journalists to concentrate on serving their communities. Through partnerships with Arizona State University, NEWSWELL introduces cutting-edge ideas, research, and tools to reinvent local news and strengthen democracy.

Requirements

Strong understanding of offset, digital, and large-format printing, including paper types, ink, color theory, and finishing techniques.
Strong sense of typography and its design uses.
Expert knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat) and Microsoft Office365.
Expert knowledge and understanding of Mailchimp templates and WordPress interface.
Experience with FTP interfaces.
Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines.
Excellent interpersonal skills to act as a liaison between sales and creative teams, marketing, and vendors.
Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, printing technology, marketing, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
3-5+ years of experience in print production, advertising agency, or high-volume creative services environment.

Nice To Haves

Hands-on experience preparing files for newspaper or magazine production, including inserts, special sections, and advertising layouts.
Experience collaborating with sales, editorial, and marketing teams in a fast-paced production environment.
Ability to adapt quickly to changing deadlines and priorities.
High attention to detail with a strong commitment to accuracy and consistency.
Interest in local journalism, community storytelling, and public-service media.
Ability to work collaboratively across teams and support cross-departmental and special projects as assigned.

Responsibilities

Manage daily production workflows, including scheduling, resource allocation, and quality control from concept through final delivery.
Work with sales staff to create ad campaigns and approve client-submitted files for size, font, and color accuracy.
Work with the classified department, adjusting weekly files, creating and sharing ad proofs for client approval.
Work with sales staff on digital ads.
Create and manage sales/marketing campaigns, supporting weekly special sections, quarterly community guides, and periodic audience outreach events.
Review and pre-flight final production files, approve weekly page proofs for color accuracy, and ensure files meet printer specifications.
Work closely with fellow designers to ensure design elements (fonts, colors, layouts) are technically sound for print.
Work with sales and editorial departments to create, monitor, and enforce production schedules.
Identify and resolve technical bottlenecks in the production process such as color/printer file conflicts or client files that do not match our specs.
Perform other duties as assigned, consistent with the scope and responsibilities of the role.