Graphic_Design_and_Outreach_Specialist

GRAPHIC ART, DESIGN AND OUTREACH SPECIALIST, OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR Job Description The Graphic Art, Design and Outreach Specialist is the principal graphic artist/designer for all CTE publications and outreach materials. These include, but are not limited to CTE’s bi-annual newsletter (Areté), and promotional materials for events/activities/services including the Ann Ferren Teaching Conference, Adjunct Faculty Orientation, Noontime Conversations, the STARS Program, Geek Out Sessions, Social Science Research Laboratory Seminars, and many others. Promotional materials include posters, T shirts, mugs, report covers, flyers, bulletin board displays, AU Shuttle Advertisements, display art for venues such as the Faculty Corner and the STARS pod in Hughes Hall and many others. During his or her tenure, the Specialist is the driving force behind the overall branding and image of CTE. This position is responsible for envisioning and planning multiple stages of outreach campaigns. The expectation is that he or she will create an entirely new ‘look’ for CTE, while sustaining themes created by previous Graphic Art, Design and Outreach specialists. Since CTE’s reach is university wide, materials must be prepared for faculty, students and other members of the community. Intended audiences span many age cohorts, interests and levels of computing, information technology and multimedia sophistication. Thus, this position requires a creative understanding of methods and styles that appeal to a wide variety of audiences. This position is also responsible for the CTE website design, from its architecture and appearance to the production of templates that are required for maintenance and the addition of content. He or she works closely with CTE’s outreach group, the Dynamos, with managers and with the Director to ensure that the full range of CTE programs are represented in a manner that is complete, functionally oriented, creatively engaging and customer friendly. Like all staff members in the Director’s Office, this position serves, as needed, as a point of contact for all CTE-related inquiries. He or she provides information about all services offered by CTE, answers and directs queries appropriately, and is a creative problem-solver for any of a wide variety of problems and questions that arise. This facet of the position can be viewed as a multifaceted ‘concierge’ with sufficient knowledge of statistical research, multimedia, software applications and pedagogical support services provided by CTE to offer first-level problem solving. He or she functions as an informed bridge to more sophisticated support when escalation of a request is appropriate. Qualifications MA, MFA, or PhD student. A major in communications, art, design or marketing is preferred. Maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.5 in his or her academic program is required. The position requires a strong portfolio of design work in a variety of media, including print and online. There must be strong design skills with a variety of software applications, including, for example, Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop; Apple Aperture; Macromedia Flash, Dreamweaver, and Fireworks. The position requires an ability to communicate detailed information, both verbally and in writing. He or she must be flexible to a variety of inputs and constructive feedback as part of interpersonal communications with groups and event/program managers requiring support. There must be an understanding of branding and the capability to create a range of products, from logos to posters to web sites. Ability to multitask and work to tight deadlines, with a variety of project managers, is vital. In addition, the successful candidate must be creative, excel in customer service, and have strong administrative skills. A two year commitment is preferred, but less may be considered in the case of an exceptional candidate.