Brand Design Specialist

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is seeking a Brand Design Specialist to implement the Illinois brand within its Strategic Communications and Marketing (STRATCOM) unit and across campus. The role focuses on creating and executing design projects for paid and organic media that advance university goals.

The ideal candidate brings a strong portfolio in branding and digital design, proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud and Figma, and the ability to collaborate with front-end developers and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, radio/television broadcasting, web/digital media, or a related field.
• One year of professional work experience in public relations, journalism, social media communications, newspaper reporting, radio/television broadcasting with emphasis on production, or web/digital media.
• Demonstrated experience with web/digital media that included graphic design experience.

Responsibilities

• Brand Design Service
• Work directly with StratCom's social media team to create engaging, timely graphics for the main university social media accounts.
• Work with StratCom's marketing and media management team to review and create campus advertising campaigns.
• Provide design support for marketing & communications teams across campus to strengthen the university's brand.
• Present work to clients clearly and efficiently, helping them understand the creative response to the project's goals and audiences.
• Collaborate with outside vendors such as video producers, photographers and printers as needed.
• Design and Problem Solving
• Work with the design team to produce branded designs for digital and print.
• Create visual interface design mockups for the web that show proof of concept and finalize them into high-quality completed screens for a front-end developer to implement.
• Work with the design team to advance university brand standards.
• Research trends in graphic design, typography, web design and more and implement in the brand and projects.

Skills

Brand design

Adobe Creative Cloud

Figma

Typography

Web design

Print design

Front-end collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, web/digital media, or related field

Tools

Illustrator

InDesign

Job description

Brand Design Specialist

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Urbana, IL

Type: Full-Time

Salary: $50,000 - $62,000 per year

Brand Design Specialist

Strategic Communications and Marketing (STRATCOM)

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has many stories to tell. From Nobel Prize-winning theories to biomedical innovations to the birthplace of special education and accessibility standards, we have a 150+ year tradition as a place where people refuse to accept "that's just how it is" as a suitable reason to stop asking hard questions. This is a university that forces the world to redefine the word "impossible" on a regular basis. The Strategic Communications and Marketing team at Illinois leads that storytelling through many channels, including through our design and brand implementation.

We're looking for a design professional to contribute to our design team. This position will play an essential role in implementing the Illinois brand within our unit and units across campus. This position will also help create and execute StratCom design projects, including paid and organic media, that effectively reach our target audiences and advance our university goals and priorities.

Job Summary

Design beautiful and impactful marketing and branding communications material that strengthen the Illinois brand. Duties & Responsibilities

• Brand Design Service
• Work directly with StratCom's social media team to create engaging, timely graphics for the main university social media accounts.
• Work with StratCom's marketing and media management team to review and create campus advertising campaigns.
• Provide design support for marketing & communications teams across campus to strengthen the university's brand.
• Present work to clients clearly and efficiently, helping them understand the creative response to the project's goals and audiences.
• Collaborate with outside vendors such as video producers, photographers and printers as needed.
• Design and Problem Solving
• Work with the design team to produce branded designs for digital and print.
• Create visual interface design mockups for the web that show proof of concept and finalize them into high-quality completed screens for a front-end developer to implement.
• Work with the design team to advance university brand standards.
• Research trends in graphic design, typography, web design and more and implement in the brand and projects.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, radio/television broadcasting, web/digital media, or a related field.
• One (1) year (12 months) of professional work experience in public relations, journalism, social media communications, newspaper reporting, radio/television broadcasting with emphasis on production, or web/digital media.
• Demonstrated experience with web/digital media that included graphic design experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two to three years graphic design experience.
• Knowledge of higher education setting.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Advanced skills in current design software including Adobe Creative Cloud. Excellent visual design and communication skills.
• Knowledgeable in Figma or other industry-standard web design programs.
• Strong aesthetic sense with a deep understanding of how design communicates through layout, typography, color, photography and illustration.
• Ability to clearly and consistently organize, manage and present complex information.
• Working understanding of printing processes, photography and typography.
• Knowledge and ability to prepare files for print and communicate with printers.
• Outstanding conceptual design skills with experience in illustration, motion graphics or digital animation.
• Ability to use design to help audiences better understand complex concepts or ideas.
• Ability to design usable and accessible visual Interfaces for the web that leverage current visual design practices for web in desktop and mobile devices.
• Ability to collaborate seamlessly with front-end developers to ensure interface design specifications were carried out as designed.
• Understanding of best practices for accessible and responsive design in digital environments.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills along with strong organizational skills
• Ability to work independently while producing accurate work on deadline while exercising discretion and judgment.
• Keep up to date with changing technologies.
• Ability to work in a team-based, collaborative environment with limited supervision.
• Ability to multitask, often with frequent interruptions.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5006 - Public Information Associate position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience while also considering internal equity. The budgeted salary for the position is $50,000 - $62,000.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

Please note Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position, and this position requires residency in the state of Illinois within 6 months of hire. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact Pam Steele [e-mail]. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - the state's flagship public university and one of the world's leading research institutions - every staff member helps shape what's next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you're empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence - where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [e-mail].

The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. The administration, faculty and staff embrace diversity and are committed to attracting qualified candidates who also embrace and value diversity and inclusivity.