Graphic Designer

Duke University; Durham (NC); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University’s Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs team seeks a Graphic Designer Specialist to craft visuals that align with the Duke brand across marketing channels. You will produce print, digital, and social graphics, collaborate with photographers and editors, and ensure accessibility standards are met.

This hybrid role requires 2+ years of design experience, a BA/BS in graphic arts or related field, and strong proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud and Canva.

Qualifications

• BA/BS in graphic arts, fine arts or related field required.
• Two years of directly related Graphic Communications and Design Experience.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud and Canva, or comparable design software.

Responsibilities

• Create original, high-quality graphic assets for print, digital, web, and social media platforms.
• Design materials for university-wide marketing campaigns and storytelling initiatives.
• Produce graphics, illustrations, and layouts for social media content, digital and print advertising, newsletters, presentations, and other collateral.
• Collaborate with photographers, videographers, writers, and editors to bring creative concepts to life.
• Prepare final artwork and files for both digital and print production in alignment with platform requirements and accessibility standards.

Skills

Adobe Creative Cloud

Canva

Microsoft Suite

Brand stewardship

Visual storytelling

Typography

Layout

Responsive web graphics

Accessibility standards

Brand guidelines

Collaboration

Project management

Education

BA/BS in graphic arts

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe InDesign

Adobe After Effects

Canva

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (On-Site and Remote mix)

Requisition Number: 275482

Regular or Temporary: Regular

Location: Durham, NC, US, 27710

Date: Oct 8, 2026

Please include a cover letter and a portfolio link with your application. Applications submitted without both materials may not be considered.

Join a creative, collaborative team and help steward a globally recognized brand through compelling design and multi-channel campaigns, working alongside talented photographers, videographers, writers, marketers, and strategists who help tell Duke’s story to the world.

Be You.

The Graphic Designer Specialist serves as a key member of Duke University’s Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs team (“MarComms”).

This position develops visual designs that support the university’s brand, mission, and marketing objectives across a wide range of channels. The designer will create compelling graphics for marketing campaigns, social media, storytelling content, advertising, marketing collateral, and digital platforms while maintaining visual consistency and alignment with Duke’s brand standards.

Work Arrangement – Hybrid (This is not a remote role.)

DEPARTMENTAL PREFERENCES

• Work requires two or more years of design experience in a marketing, communications, or creative role — preferably within a complex organization or agency setting.
• Experience producing graphics for digital and social platforms is strongly preferred.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

BA/BS in graphic arts, fine arts or related field required.

Experience

Two years of directly related Graphic Communications and Design Experience.

Be Bold.

Skills

• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, After Effects, etc.) and Canva, or comparable design software.
• Understanding of Microsoft Suite (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint) and collaborative project management systems.
• Proficiency developing and stewarding a large, institutional brand and trademark with many sub-brands and components.
• Strong visual storytelling, typography, and layout skills.
• Working knowledge of digital design standards, including responsive web graphics and accessibility best practices.
• Understanding of branding, marketing strategy, and audience engagement.
• Excellent attention to detail, time management, and collaborative communication skills.

Work Performed

Design & Creative Production

• Create original, high-quality graphic assets for print, digital, web, and social media platforms.
• Design materials for university-wide marketing campaigns and storytelling initiatives.
• Produce graphics, illustrations, and layouts for social media content, digital and print advertising, newsletters, presentations, and other collateral.
• Collaborate with photographers, videographers, writers, and editors to bring creative concepts to life.
• Prepare final artwork and files for both digital and print production in alignment with platform requirements and accessibility standards.

Brand Stewardship & Strategy

• Apply and uphold Duke University’s brand identity and visual guidelines across all creative output.
• Ensure all designs reflect Duke’s values, voice, and strategic positioning in higher education.
• Support the development and refinement of Duke brand guidelines, sub-brand identities or campaign visuals as needed.
• Demonstrate understanding of marketing principles, audience insights, and user experience to produce design solutions that achieve business and communication goals.
• Lead a Design Working Group, a convening of designers across the university, to build community, share resources, and learn from each other.
• Track all work within the team’s project management system, keeping up with status, deadlines and collaboration.
• Work closely with strategists, content creators, and digital marketing specialists to develop integrated campaign assets.
• Participate in creative brainstorming sessions and contribute to concept development.
• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, meeting deadlines and project specifications.
• Coordinate with vendors or printers when necessary to ensure high-quality production and delivery.
• Participate in team and university events such as commencement, back to school efforts, the INSIGHTS summit, monthly communicator meetings and more, as an integral part of the MarComms team. Some of the events will, on rare occasion, be after normal working hours or weekends.
• Stay up to date on design trends, emerging media formats, and new tools or technologies.
• Recommend creative approaches that enhance the effectiveness and reach of Duke's marketing and communications.

Choose Duke.

Join a talented team and use your design skills to help share Duke's story with the world.

Anticipated Pay Range:

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $48,068.00 to USD $84,554.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: [e-mail]; phone: [phone]).

Nearest Major Market:

Durham

Nearest Secondary Market:

Raleigh

Read more about Duke’s commitment to affirmative action and nondiscrimination at hr.duke.edu/eeo.