Graphic Designer

Overview:

The Graphic Designer is responsible for contributing to IFT’s marketing and communication efforts through the creative development of visuals that effectively support the organization’s communication goals, align with the organization’s visual identity, and support the overall IFT brand. Successful candidates will have extensive experience working in print, digital, and environmental design and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment. This position reports to the Senior Director of Integrated Marketing & Brand Strategy and collaborates with cross-functional teams, taking individual projects from creative concepting through actual layout, photography, illustration, and production.

The Graphic Designer has exceptional design sensibilities, an innate technical curiosity and demonstrates both consistently through disparate media.

Essential Responsibilities:

Print

• Create effective deliverables using strong typographic, design, layout and ideation skills 
• Maintain consistency and alignment with the IFT brand, while exhibiting versatility and imagination in design style; actively seek out ways to improve workflows and efficiencies 
• Manage the print production process, determining print specifications, setting up files appropriately, working with the printers, reviewing proofs, and attending press checks, if warranted 
• Develop new design concepts for marketing and engagement campaigns that are highly creative and effective, but also align with the IFT brand 
• Provide creative administration support, such as layout and color explorations, researching of physical production options, scanning, file conversion, file editing, and stock photography searches 
• Help to prepare comps and presentations; edit and modify photos, illustrations, and graphs 
• Design effective info graphics and motion graphics for complex concepts 
• Keen eye for quality photography and illustration.

Interactive

• Leverage knowledge of interactive design principles and the technical and creative limitations/opportunities associated with interactive mediums to create effective designs for various interactive environments (web, e-mail, etc.) 
• Understand and apply generally accepted design standards to interactive production work, taking into account usability and online branding issues 
• Assist with the design and production/coding of various interactive assets including, but not limited to, e-mails, banner ads, web pages/microsites, presentations, etc., from concept through completion 
• Prepare comps, and establish IFT’s process for translating wireframes into visual design 
• Create html- and/or multimedia-ready graphics, and manage/maintain them within various virtual libraries, including the website content management system (CMS) 
• Develop animated graphics for digital ad placements 
• Adept Powerpoint design and animation skills 
• Motion graphics design and execution skills a plus

This is not meant to be a complete or comprehensive list as responsibilities may change; other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned at any time

Experience Requirements:

• Holds a degree in graphic design or related field 
• Requires 3 to 5 years of applicable experience 
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) 
• Proficiency with both the PC and Mac platforms 
• Expert knowledge of the Adobe Creative Suite, especially InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop 
• Knowledge of Adobe Premier Pro and Dreamweaver preferred 
• HTML skills, CMS experience, and a working knowledge of information architecture preferred 
• Demonstrated attention to detail 
• Demonstrated understanding of production specifications and techniques 
• Demonstrated ability to understand project requirements, including strategy, stakeholder interaction, resource allocation, budgeting, etc. 
• Ability to present ideas and concepts, and speak to the rationale and functionality of design concepts 
• Demonstrated knowledge of interactive usability best practices 
• Demonstrated experience in analyzing problems, anticipating consequences and eliminating obstacles to successfully complete projects

Competency Requirements:

• Strong artistic sensibility and style; excellent eye for color, composition, and typography; a passion for creativity, but an understanding of how best to employ that creativity to achieve a communication objective 
• Stays updated with best practices in the realm of motion graphics; demonstrates dedication to continuous learning about the field 
• Ability to work independently within scope of assignment 
• Ability to work cooperatively as member of a team 
• Ability to balance the communication objectives of the project with the need for visual consistency/alignment 
• Acts as a custodian of the visual identity, assisting others within the organization in applying the company’s visual standards in a consistent, appropriate manner 
• Ability to participate in meetings, creative discussions, and presentations 
• Ability to manage vendors to help produce the work 
• Ability to scope and plan timelines for projects; meet all associated deadlines; communicate actively with project team to keep deliverables on track and on schedule