Graphic Designer

Rice University • Houston, TX

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

Rice University’s Creative Services team within the Office of Public Affairs is seeking a Graphic Designer to plan, produce, and design visual content promoting Rice across digital and print platforms. Reporting to the Director of Creative Services, this full-lifecycle creative professional handles project ideation, client communication, asset creation, and final production delivery. The role calls for familiarity with emerging design trends and design technology, and the ability to prepare files for commercial print vendors and digital channels.

The Graphic Designer works with internal creative teams on Office of Public Affairs initiatives and with communications teams across the university. This is a hybrid role based at Rice University in Houston, Texas, combining in-office and remote work. Regular collaboration with colleagues across campus is required; occasional evening or weekend work may be needed for major university events or publication deadlines. Work arrangements may be subject to change under Rice policy 440.

Applicants should attach a resume, cover letter, and a link to a digital portfolio in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in PDF format. Portfolios should demonstrate conceptual thinking and polished, production-ready execution. The position is exempt and salaried, and is not eligible for overtime. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, Fine Arts, or a related field; additional related experience beyond the required amount may substitute for education on an equivalent year-for-year basis.
• Two to three years of professional graphic design experience in an agency or fast-paced in-house creative team.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, and collaborative design tools such as Figma and Canva.
• Familiarity with digital design tools, emerging creative AI technologies, and current and future design trends.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including comfort presenting ideas to clients and collaborating with external vendors.
• Organized and creative, able to take direction while meeting deadlines and project schedules.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in higher education, agency, or complex in-house marketing environments.
• Experience with multi-page publications, large-format print or signage, or invitation and fulfillment packaging.
• Familiarity with basic motion graphics, micro-animations, or digital content creation tools.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a team player and eagerness to learn, grow, and receive constructive feedback.
• Knowledge of and proficiency in print preparation, prepress specifications (bleeds, color profiles, die lines), and vendor coordination.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a catalyst for creative thinking, project timeliness, and successful project completion.
• Develop and produce visual solutions by designing university digital and print materials, including directing photography and managing print production.
• Provide professional graphic design and print production services for university projects assigned by the Director of Creative Services.
• Create designs and maintain the visual quality, consistency, and tone of university print and web materials, ensuring content remains current and follows best practices.
• Understand and implement the university brand identity to ensure consistent branded communications for internal and external audiences.
• Coordinate workflow among design development teams, vendors, and print shops to ensure quality and process efficiency.
• Keep current with design trends, emerging technologies, software developments, and industry issues that enhance graphic design, and share relevant information with the Creative Services team.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level