Graphic Designer

John Locke Institute; Greater London; Remote; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

John Locke Institute (JLI) seeks a highly creative Graphic Designer to join its Marketing Department as the Institute's sole in-house designer. You will push creative boundaries while ensuring designs align with brand objectives and business goals.

The role involves residential programmes, the Global Essay Prize, and new initiatives like Locke Magazine and a podcast. You will own the design process from concept to final execution across marketing and digital assets, maintaining a consistent

Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional graphic design experience, including time as sole/in-house designer in a high-value brand or academic setting.
• Strong portfolio spanning brand, print, digital and editorial work.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop; knowledge of Canva and AI in design.
• Thorough knowledge of print production, file prep, colour management and proofs.
• Experience designing multi-page publications to a professional standard.

Responsibilities

• Own the creative process from concept to final design across marketing and digital assets.
• Maintain a strong brand identity across digital, print, social and marketing platforms.
• Translate complex ideas into simple, powerful visuals with strong typography and composition.
• Develop graphics for social media formats and work with marketing teams on visual direction.
• Prepare artwork for printing, liaise with printers, and review proofs.
• Design merchandise and branded materials to supplier specs.
• Create visual assets for the website and coordinate with developers.
• Manage photography and video library, edit visuals, produce short-form video assets.
• Handle design requests across the organisation and meet deadlines across time zones.
• Take ownership, welcome feedback, and refine designs for excellence.

Skills

Graphic design

Brand identity

Adobe Creative Suite

InDesign

Illustrator

Photoshop

Canva

AI in design

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

InDesign

Illustrator

Photoshop

Canva

Job description

Location: Remote with some international travel

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis.The vacancy will close once a suitable applicant is found. Early application is encouraged.

About the Role

The John Locke Institute (JLI) is looking for a Graphic Designer to join our Marketing Department as the Institute's sole in-house designer.We are looking for a highly creative, detail-oriented, and passionate Graphic Designer who can transform ideas into compelling visual and sensory experiences. You will be someone who pushes the creative boundaries while ensuring every design aligns with brand objectives and business goals.

JLI runs international residential programmes and the Global Essay Prize, one of the largest essay competitions in the world.The Institute will shortly launch the Locke Magazine, a podcast and a debating championship.

JLI is a small, founder-led organisation of approximately 15-20 people.Ideological compatibility with JLI's classical liberal positioning is a requirement for this role.Candidates will be required to demonstrate a strong portfolio; we are interested in the range of what you have designed and the standard you hold yourself to.

What You Will Do

• Think beyond the brief by bringing fresh perspectives, original concepts, and creative solutions to every project.
• Own the creative process from initial concept, brainstorming to final design execution across all marketing and digital assets for the Institute's residential programmes, Global Essay Prize and all other programmatic activities.
• Maintain a strong a strong and consistent brand identity across all digital, print, social media and marketing platforms.
• Translate complex ideas into simple, powerful, and visually engaging communication.
• Demonstrate a strong eye for typography, colour, composition, layout, and visual storytelling.
• Develop graphics and campaign assets for social media channels, adapting each to the relevant formats, and work with the Director of Marketing, the Social Media Manager and the Events team on visual direction.
• Design and layout of publications, including the Locke Magazine, yearbooks …
• Prepare artwork for professional printing, manage print specifications, liaise with printers and suppliers, and review proofs to ensure materials are produced correctly.
• Design merchandise and branded materials, including tote bags, notebooks, luggage tags and stickers, to supplier specifications.
• Create visual assets for the website and work with developers to ensure the finished site reflects the intended design.
• Manage the Institute's photography and video library, edit photography and video, and produce short-form video and reel assets as required.
• Manage design requests from across the organisation, prioritising competing deadlines and supplying final files in the correct formats for print, web and social media.
• Manage multiple projects independently while maintaining exceptional quality, attention to detail and timely delivery.
• Take ownership, welcome feedback, and continuously refine designs to achieve creative excellence.

What You Will Bring

• 3+ years of professional graphic design experience, including time as a sole or lead in-house designer in a high-value brand, reputable academic institution, or similar organisation.
• Provide a strong design portfolio spanning brand, print, digital and editorial work.
• A strong creative mindset with the ability to turn ordinary concepts into extraordinary visuals.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop. Knowledge of other relevant design tools such as Canva, and appropriate use of AI in design is highly desirable.
• Thorough knowledge of print production, including file preparation, colour management, paper stocks, finishes and proofing.
• Experience designing multi-page publications to a professional standard.
• Competence in photo editing and short-form video editing.
• Typographic judgement and restraint: work that achieves authority through clarity rather than decoration.
• The ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines across time zones.
• Experience in the education, publishing or cultural sector is a plus.
• A proactive attitude, strong work ethic, and genuine passion for design.

Skills and Attributes for Success

• A commitment to quality, clarity and the Institute's measured, authoritative voice.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Calm and effective under pressure during peak periods.
• Self-motivated, able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Openness to accept and implement constructive feedback.

Our Recruitment Process

• 15 minute screening interview
• Short task plus submission of three examples of work for which you were principally responsible, with a note on your role and the outcome