Graphic Designer

Socket.dev; Itasca (IL); On-site; USD 71,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is seeking a talented Graphic Designer to create and typeset content for print and digital distribution, with strong typography, layout, color theory, and print production skills. The candidate will design visuals for publishing projects and collaborate with editors and authors to ensure accuracy and quality.

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Production and Editorial Services, you will maintain branding across publication portfolios, stay current on

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design or related discipline.
• At least three years’ experience in graphic design and typesetting for print distribution and digital distribution.
• Proficiency in typography, layout design, color theory, and print production processes; experience in publishing/academic environments preferred.
• Strong analytical, organizational and communication skills; proficient with Adobe CC tools and MS Office; able to collaborate with editors and authors.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain visual branding for publication portfolios; ensure brand consistency.
• Ensure quality and timely production from concept to final files.
• Stay current with design trends and publishing technologies.
• Recommend cost‑saving design and production solutions while maintaining quality.
• Present design concepts to authors, editors and staff and incorporate feedback.
• Develop and maintain editorial style and formatting guidelines for manuscript preparation.
• Maintain the AAP Identity Program and update guidelines/resources.
• Advise on visual design, accessibility, and technical standards for digital/web products.
• Collaborate on cross‑functional teams to determine best formats for publications.
• Coordinate with external vendors for image and asset development.
• Maintain organized digital asset libraries.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Typography

Layout design

Color theory

Print production

Creative messaging

Editorial teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in graphic design

Tools

Adobe Creative Cloud

InDesign

Illustrator

Photoshop

MS Office

Macintosh

Teams

SharePoint

Job description

Graphic Designer

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the nation’s leading advocate for children’s health, seeks a talented Graphic Designer with experience creating and typesetting content for print and digital distribution, including proficiency in typography, layout design, color theory, and print production processes. This role will design, compose, and create innovative and compelling artwork, graphics, and other visual elements for AAP publishing projects; develop design concepts, visual messaging, and publication formats in collaboration with staff, editors, and authors to ensure accuracy and quality of final copy; and prepare and execute finished artwork, layouts, and composed copy for use by printers and vendors across a variety of print and digital platforms.

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Production and Editorial Services, some tasks will include:

1. Create and maintain visual branding for a broad range of publication portfolios, including clinical and professional titles, digital products, textbooks, parenting/consumer titles, and patient education materials. Incorporate the creative use of color, typography, layout, and composition that appropriately aligns with the content, ensuring consistency with organizational brand standards and audience needs.
2. Ensure the accuracy, quality, and timely production of design concepts from creation through final file preparation and delivery. Conduct quality control reviews to ensure accuracy of layouts, typography, image placement, and final production files.
3. Stay current on emerging trends, software applications, publishing technologies, and industry best practices, maintaining extensive knowledge of graphic design and production tools to ensure the AAP remains competitive and innovative among medical and professional publishers.
4. Recommend cost‑saving design and production solutions, through the efficient use of color, artwork, trim size, page count, and printing specifications, while maintaining quality and brand standards.
5. Present comprehensive and cost‑effective design concepts for review by authors, editors, and staff and incorporate feedback.
6. Develop and maintain editorial style and formatting guidelines to aid editors and authors in preparing manuscripts for design and production process.
7. Maintain the AAP brand Identity Program. Regularly update the Identity Program website, providing current guidelines, templates, and resources for staff to support consistent AAP branding and design standards across all publications and products.
8. Serve as publishing design consultant for digital and web‑based products or product components, providing guidance on visual design, accessibility, functionality, and technical standards to ensure effective design, usability, and production outcomes.
9. Serve on cross‑functional project teams to determine the most effective format and visual design for publications or group of publications, including custom publishing projects.
10. Work with outside vendors to coordinate image, graphical, and digital asset development and provide high‑quality completion of projects.
11. Maintain organized digital asset libraries.
12. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualified candidates will possess:

1. Bachelor’s degree in graphic design or related discipline or an equivalent combination of relevant education and work experience required.
2. At least three years’ experience in graphic design and typesetting for print distribution required and digital distribution preferred, with proficiency in typography, layout design, color theory, and print production processes. Experience within a publishing, editorial, academic, or association environment and working with health‑related content preferred.
3. Excellent analytical, organizational, verbal/written communication, interpersonal, and customer services skills essential. Strong technical acumen essential with proficiency in MS Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Macintosh, and the ability to learn and apply technology including the use of AI;experience with virtual meeting platforms (e.g., Teams) and document collaboration platforms (e.g., SharePoint) preferred. Must be able to think creatively, take initiative, manage multiple priorities simultaneously within strict publication deadlines, work both independently and as part of a team, collaborate effectively with various internal and external constituents, and promote and maintain a positive and cooperative team‑oriented work environment with a commitment to fosteringa culture where everyone feels valued and respected. Some evening/weekend work and travel required.

A reasonable estimate of the current base pay range for this position is $70,368.96 - $74,278.36. Compensation decisions take into account a wide range of factors, including but not limited to relevant experience, skills, certifications, geographic location, business needs, and organizational policies. In addition to those factors,