Graphic Designer (Senior Graphic Designer) - Creative & Digital Services, VC Student Affairs

University of Illinois Chicago•Chicago, IL

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) is seeking a Senior Graphic Designer for its Creative & Digital Services department within VC Student Affairs. This hybrid role involves performing highly complex graphic design work across various media, with a focus on long-form and multi-page publications. The Senior Graphic Designer will collaborate with clients and colleagues to create effective, brand-aligned visual solutions, manage technical and production challenges, and prepare production-ready files. The position requires advanced design judgment, the ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines, and potentially provide guidance to less-experienced staff.

Requirements

Thirty-six (36) months of progressively more advanced college or art-school coursework leading to a major in graphic/visual arts communication and/or design (120 semester hours or a Bachelor's Degree equals 36 months), OR work experience and/or on-the-job training comparable to such coursework.
Twenty-Four (24) months of graphic design experience comparable to that performed at the Graphic Designer Associate level.
A Master's degree in visual design, with emphasis in visual arts communication or a closely related field, meets the requirements.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a higher education, agency, in-house creative, print production, or similarly collaborative service environment.
Demonstrated publication and editorial design experience, particularly long-form and multi-page materials such as annual reports, viewbooks, catalogs, guides, booklets, programs, magazines, or similar publications.
Portfolio demonstrating advanced typography, editorial hierarchy, grid systems, pagination, image integration, and visual consistency across complex publications.
Knowledge of university or institutional brand standards and experience applying brand systems across multiple media.
Experience designing for both print and digital environments, including web graphics, presentations, large-format or environmental applications, and multimedia projects.
Familiarity with accessible design practices and preparing digital materials for diverse audiences.
Experience coordinating projects that move between design, print production, photography, video, web, vendors, or other creative service areas.
Experience providing design guidance, technical assistance, or informal mentoring to junior designers, students, or other creative staff.

Responsibilities

Work closely with clients and CDS colleagues to clarify project goals, audiences, deliverables, schedules, budgets, and design requirements, including complex projects with multiple media applications.
Develop and refine highly complex visual concepts, layouts, and design solutions for print, publications, digital, web, presentation, display, environmental, multimedia, and other communication needs.
Design and produce multi-page and long-form publications such as annual reports, viewbooks, catalogs, guides, booklets, programs, magazines, and similar materials, applying strong editorial hierarchy, typography, grid systems, pagination, image integration, and visual consistency.
Resolve or advise on complex design, technical, and production problems, including projects that span multiple media or require advanced production knowledge.
Select and apply typography, imagery, illustration, photography, layout, and other visual elements to create clear, cohesive, and effective communications.
Prepare mockups, proofs, and presentation materials to communicate design concepts, support client review, and coordinate production.
Create and prepare high-quality electronic artwork and production-ready files for in-house print, digital delivery, display, multimedia, and approved external production.
Develop technical specifications and provide cost/time estimates and procedural information for projects requiring outside services, materials, or specialized production.
Coordinate with customer service, print production, photographers, videographers, web staff, vendors, and other partners to confirm production methods, requirements, schedules, and quality standards.
Help resolve production or technical issues with outside vendors when advanced design or production expertise is required.
Create web graphics, presentation materials, and other digital assets and perform image editing, manipulation, and optimization using current professional design tools.
Apply university and departmental brand standards and established production practices while maintaining accuracy, visual quality, accessibility considerations, and consistency across deliverables.
Maintain organized project files and accurately record labor, materials, project status, and other required information in departmental business and project-management systems.
Manage multiple projects and deadlines, communicate status or production concerns promptly, and collaborate with team members to resolve design or production issues.
Provide design advice, technical guidance, and informal mentoring to student employees, junior designers, or other less-experienced staff as assigned; may assist supervisors with workload coordination, interviews, or performance feedback when appropriate.
Advise supervisors regarding design software, equipment, technology, and production needs based on project requirements and evolving industry practices.
Maintain current knowledge of graphic design, publication and editorial design, print production, digital media, accessibility, multimedia, and evolving creative technologies and practices.
Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.