Graphic Designer

Rice University • Houston, TX

6d • 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 contributes from project ideation and client communication through asset creation and final production delivery. The designer keeps up with emerging design trends, uses current design technology, and prepares production-ready files for commercial print vendors and digital channels. The role works with internal creative teams and communications teams across the university.

This is a hybrid position based at Rice University in Houston, Texas, combining in-office and remote work. Regular collaboration with colleagues across campus is required, and work arrangements may change under Rice policy 440. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required for major university events or publication deadlines. The position is exempt from overtime under the FLSA. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

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 “big idea” thinking and polished, production-ready execution.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, Fine Arts, or a related field; additional related experience may be substituted for the education requirement 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, with the ability to take direction and meet deadlines and project schedules.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in higher education, an agency, or a complex in-house marketing environment.
• 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.
• 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 such as bleeds, color profiles, and die lines, and vendor coordination.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a catalyst for creative thinking, project timeliness, and successful project completion.
• Develop and produce visual solutions for 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: Mid Level