Graphic Designer: Engineering Communications, Tickle College of Engineering - UTK

Job Description

The Graphic Designer supports Engineering Communications by developing high quality visual materials that advance strategic communications and elevate the college’s brand. This role produces print and digital design assets for a wide range of audiences and partners across the college. The Graphic Designer is responsible for creating compelling, on brand design solutions that support marketing, recruitment, advancement, events, and internal communications.

The designer collaborates with stakeholders to translate goals into clear visual deliverables, manages multiple projects at once, and ensures consistency with university and college brand standards.

• Act as lead designer and work alongside project team members to develop concepts and appropriate communication vehicles for the client.
• Create designs that possess a strong sense of composition, typography, and color and work within existing brand guidelines.
• Develop design solutions for projects ranging from small-scale items (posters, invitations) to larger-scale, high-profile, complex projects (magazines or full communication campaigns involving multiple designed pieces across print, electronic, video, and other media).
• Assemble visual prototypes (“comps”) when needed.
• Create templates for clients in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and other software programs such as Adobe InDesign.
• Work with hired freelancers such as photographers and illustrators to make decisions about visuals for high-impact printed and digital pieces such as magazines and campaigns.
• Arrange and direct photo shoots.
• Collaborate with team members to ensure design consistency across various media, especially during campaigns.
• Handle office or project administrative tasks, including emailing, project data entry, logging time per project, and attending staff and project planning meetings.
• Liaise via email or in person with clients about projects.
• Work with printers and promotional item vendors to package pieces for print, obtain estimates for printing items, fill out Publication Authorization Number request forms, and liaise with printer and vendor regarding deadlines and delivery of printed items.
• Provide quality assurance by proofreading, approving printer’s proofs, and attending press checks.
• Keep apprised of design trends and methodologies.
• Make design format decisions that work within project budgets and align with marketing plans.
• Help develop the office’s creative culture and uphold quality standards.
• Work with management to conceptualize and set standards for the public representation of the college.
• Meet with clients and internal teams to access communication needs and goals and develop strategies for achieving those goals.
• Present design concepts and strategic direction to clients and fellow team members.
• Assist with archiving, organizing, or maintaining digital asset libraries, templates, and design files to ensure efficient team access.
• Perform related duties consistent with the role and level of responsibility as assigned by the Director of Communications.

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic-design or related degree

• 4+ years related professional experience with digital media design

• Strong proficiency in industry standard design software
• Proficiency in industry standard office suite software (Word and Excel)
• Solid knowledge of printing processes and techniques
• Strong organizational skills
• Proven written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage and deliver multiple projects at once, shifting from project to project as needed, working and thinking proactively, and prioritizing tasks appropriately
• Ability to present concepts, designs, and/or rationale to clients or team members in a clear, confident manner
• Ability to plan ahead and develop creative strategies
• Ability to produce large volume of work in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to manage projects through multiple rounds of approvals and edits
• Ability to collaborate effectively with team members to provide recommendations to assistant director and director
• Ability to motivate peers and lead individuals who are not direct reports
• Ability to…