Visual Information Specialist (IS-1084-07)

Smithsonian Institution; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

403b Retirement Plan

Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships

Transit/Commuter Benefits

Job summary

The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Asian Art seeks a Visual Information Specialist to design and produce exhibition catalogs, gallery guides, brochures, donor materials, and annual reports. Reporting to the Head of Graphic Design, the incumbent translates scholarly content into visually compelling print publications.

Working with curators, editors, photographers, educators, conservators, and vendors, you will balance accessibility with visual excellence and maintain Smithsonian

Qualifications

• Professional knowledge of graphic design principles, typography, editorial design, and visual communication.
• Advanced proficiency with Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, and related software.
• Some experience designing books, catalogues, brochures, and other long-form print publications.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Head of Graphic Design in the design and production of exhibition catalogues, scholarly books, gallery guides, brochures, annual reports, donor publications, and other museum print materials.
• Design page layouts, typographic systems, maps, timelines, charts, infographics, and interpretive graphics.
• Develop layouts that balance scholarly content, readability, and visual excellence.

Skills

Graphic design

Typography

Adobe InDesign

Adobe Photoshop

Education

Related art/graphic design education

Tools

Adobe InDesign

Photoshop

Illustrator

Acrobat

Job description

Visual Information Specialist (IS-1084-07)

Application Deadline: 30 September 2026

Department: National Museum of Asian Art

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Washington, DC

Reporting To: Associate Director for Brand and Communications Strategy

Compensation: $57,736 - $65,435 / year

Description

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite PROMOTION POTENTIAL: IS-09

SCHEDULE: Full Time

DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC

Position sensitivity and risk: Non sensitive / Low risk

Open to all qualified applicants

What are Trust Fund Positions?

Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
• Complete a Probationary Period.
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

OVERVIEW

About the National Museum of Asian Art

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art opened in 1923 as America’s first national art museum and the first Asian art museum in the United States. It now stewards on of the world’s most important collections of Asian art, with works dating from antiquity to the present. The museum also hosts an unparalleled collection of 19th- and early 20th-century American art.

Through an ambitious program of collecting, conservation, exhibitions, programming and research, both onsite and online, the museum serves as a global and national resource for understanding the arts and cultures of Asia and their interaction with America, past and present. By presenting the arts and cultures of Asia in their extraordinary richness, the museum furthers cross-cultural understanding and aims to exemplify foundational ideals of curiosity, creativity and respect.

Located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the museum is free and open 364 days a year (closed Dec. 25). The Smithsonian is the world’s largest museum, education and research complex and welcomes millions of visitors yearly. For more information about the National Museum of Asian Art, visit asia.si.edu

The Opportunity

The National Museum of Asian Art seeks a Visual Information Specialist to support the design and production of museum publications and printed communications. Reporting to the Head of Graphic Design, the incumbent assists in developing exhibition catalogues, publications, gallery guides, brochures, donor materials, annual reports, and other print projects that communicate the museum’s collections, exhibitions, and research.

Working as part of the Design team, within the museum’s Department of Brand Engagement and Communications, the Visual Information Specialist collaborates with curators, editors, photographers, educators, conservators, and external vendors to translate complex scholarly content into visually compelling publications. The position requires exceptional graphic design skills, strong typography, print production knowledge, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects while maintaining the museum’s high standards for visual excellence.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Publication Design

• Assist the Head of Graphic Design in the design and production of exhibition catalogues, scholarly books, gallery guides, brochures, annual reports, donor publications, and other museum print materials.
• Design page layouts, typographic systems, maps, timelines, charts, infographics, and interpretive graphics.
• Develop layouts that balance scholarly content, accessibility, readability, and visual excellence.
• Revise publications based on editorial, curatorial, and design feedback.
• Ensure consistency with Smithsonian and National Museum of Asian Art brand standards.

Print Production

• Prepare production-ready files using industry-standard prepress practices.
• Perform image preparation, color correction, retouching, file optimization, and proof review.
• Coordinate with printers regarding specifications, schedules, and quality assurance.
• Assist with paper selection, binding methods, specialty printing, and finishing options.
• Maintain organized production archives and final publication assets.

Design & Creative Production

• Create supporting print collateral including brochures, invitations, gallery guides, signage, educational materials, proposals, and promotional pieces.
• Assist with exhibition graphics and environmental graphics as assigned.
• Edit and prepare photographs and illustrations for publication.

Project Management

• Manage multiple publication and print projects from concept through production.
• Help develop schedules and coordinate milestones with editors, curators, and vendors.
• Ensure adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards.

Collaboration

• Work under the direction of the Head of Graphic Design to develop creative solutions.
• Collaborate with curators, editors, photographers, educators, conservators, and communications staff.
• Participate in design critiques and contribute ideas that strengthen museum publications.
• Work independently and collaboratively to complete assignments.
• Collaborates across the Design team to support exhibitions, publications, digital initiatives, institutional communications, and other museum collateral and priorities as assigned.

Administrative

• Maintain project documentation and production records.
• Assist with procurement related to printing and publication vendors.
• Complete required administrative responsibilities in accordance with Smithsonian procedures.
• Communicate regularly and effectively with supervisors and team members.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To qualify for this position, applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the IS/GS-05 level in the Federal service or comparable experience.

Specialized experience for this position includes experience such as:

• Assisting with the design or production of print publications, brochures, reports, catalogues, gallery guides, invitations, signage, educational materials, donor materials, or other printed communications;
• Using graphic design software to prepare layouts, edit images, format text, create production files, or revise design materials. Advanced proficiency with Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, and related software;
• Collaborating with designers, editors, curators, photographers, educators, vendors, or communications staff to complete visual information or publication assignments;

Applicants may also qualify for the IS-07 level based on:

Undergraduate or graduate education with major study in commercial art, fine arts, art history, industrial design, architecture, drafting, interior design, photography, visual communication, graphic design, publication design, or another field related to the position.

OR

A combination of graduate education and specialized experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Professional knowledge of graphic design principles, typography, editorial design, and visual communication.
• Advanced proficiency with Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, and related software.
• Some experience designing books, catalogues, brochures, and other long-form print publications.
• Some knowledge of commercial printing, color management, prepress workflows, proofing, and file preparation.
• Some experience preparing high-quality reproductions of works of art for publication.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with editors, curators, authors, photographers, printers, and vendors.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• Familiarity with accessibility principles and Smithsonian brand standards is desirable.

Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.

Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.

Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."

Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.

What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

Relocation expenses are not paid.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact [e-mail] Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following: https://www.si.edu/oeo