Graphic Designer

Summary

Zan Associates is in search of a full-time multimedia and graphic designer with skills and expertise in engaging text heavy design, social media, illustration and some animation and print production. Experience in video editing is a plus. This position comes with a competitive salary and benefits package, and career advancement opportunities.

In this role, you would be part of a creative team to create assets for engagement activities that provide communities with a voice during the planning, designing, and building phases for public projects. We work with various public agencies in Minnesota and Oregon including MnDOT, Metro Transit, Metropolitan Council, Hennepin County, City of Minneapolis, City of St Paul, ODOT and more. Most of our projects are infrastructure projects where people walk, bike, roll, take transit and drive; and place-based projects where people gather like urban cores, parks and community centers. Our creative team works with our project managers, project delivery staff, and clients to develop materials for print and digital mediums that range from designing public meeting promotions and materials to visually interpreting complex engineering drawings, so they are suitable for a public audience.

You would be responsible for collaborating with project managers and staff in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment to create design deliverables for multiple projects. You will use independent judgment and creativity along with oversight and work direction from our creative team leader. You must possess a strong and varied graphic design skillset that can support the creation of deliverables – in accordance with client brand standards and guidelines – that include handouts, postcards, large format presentation and event materials, summary reports, infographics, map and technical illustrations, social media graphics, and basic video editing and captioning. You must also be (or be eager to become) skilled at creating deliverables that are compatible with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. In addition to client-based work, you will also be responsible for developing and designing Zan marketing and internal communications. Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required.

Key Responsibilities

• Working with project managers and staff to manage, balance and prioritize creative requests
• Advising on project branding and design strategies
• Interpreting technical information/drawings and designing public-facing, easily digestible vector graphics
• Setting expectations with project staff for realistic deadlines and effort based on competing projects and budget
• Providing constructive feedback and critiques
• Building and designing websites in Social Pinpoint
• Conceptualize and animate social media posts and digital ads
• Designing and producing text heavy layouts that may include graphics, illustrations or infographics that maintain a consistent design language/brand/style throughout the project
• Updating our Wix website
• Maintaining Zan’s creative asset library
• Supporting company business development by designing proposals and marketing materials
• Staying up to date with software advances and independently learning new skills to add value to your work 2
• Proactively managing your workload to deliver work on time
• Supporting company strategic visioning process and implementation
• Understanding the clients/brands we work with and the industry we work in
• Collaborating with project staff and within the Creative team to create effective designs with the desired look, feel and functionalities
• Ensure that digital materials are structured in accordance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
• Designing documents and presentations in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint
• Illustrating maps and simple vector graphics
• Storyboarding and video animation experience is a plus

Required Education & Experience

• Degree in graphic design and/or animation and motion graphics; or equivalent relevant experience.
• 5 years of experience working in the graphic design field.
• Skilled and experienced in creatively using graphics, illustration, and type to communicate concepts/brands across different touch points.
• Strong editing, layout and visualization skills.
• Skills and experience creating 2-D animation; skills in producing and creating videos is a plus.
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Acrobat, Photoshop, After Effects, Premiere Pro).
• Experience developing and maintaining Wix and Squarespace websites and digital engagement platforms such as Social Pinpoint.
• Familiar with ADA website and print material accessibility requirements, including WCAG and Section 508.
• Self-motivated, organized, detail-oriented, can work independently and on multiple creative design projects at a time.
• Enjoys collaborating with a team and is confident in communicating creative ideas and receiving team feedback.
• Experience working for a consulting or professional services firm or a job where you need to track and report the hours you work to specific projects or clients; experience as a consultant in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry is a plus.