Assistant Art Director or Art Director, University Communications

About the role

University Communications seeks an Assistant Art Director or Art Director to join the Brand Studio supporting the UVA brand to create high-quality design work and provide art direction in support of broad University priorities. Reporting to the associate creative director, the assistant art director or art director translates strategy into clear, effective, accessible, and on-brand visual approaches across digital and print media. The role owns assignments, contributes to larger campaigns, and integrates the visual work of photographers, video producers, illustrators, vendors, and other creative partners with guidance on higher-complexity initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Concept, design and deliver content for marketing, digital, licensing, environmental usages across print and digital media for a range of audiences and platforms.
• Translate communication strategy and organizational goals into original visual concepts, coherent design systems and polished executions.
• Provide art direction for assigned photo, video, illustration, animation, and environmental design components; develop mood boards, visual references, shot concepts and production guidance.
• Own assignments and lead small-to-medium projects from brief through final delivery, including production details, file preparation, coordinating creative and internal review, coordination with internal production partners and vendors, version control, and proper cataloguing and archiving of files.
• Apply advanced layout, typography, composition, color and asset-selection skills to articulate the University brand in fresh, effective and accessible ways.
• Use and interpret University graphic standards and style guides; recommend practical refinements when needs arise to improve consistency or usability.
• Collaborate with writers, developers, photographers, video producers, designers, marketing professionals, licensing partners and University stakeholders.
• Present multiple concepts and design rationales to project teams and partners, integrate feedback and guide work toward agreed communication goals.
• Prepare production-ready files, coordinate with internal vendors to ensure proper reproduction of work.
• Track day-to-day work, manage several assignments concurrently and deliver work on schedule and within established budgets.

Requirements

• Strong command of design principles and current digital and print practices, including typography, layout, composition, color theory, image selection and production.
• Knowledge of digital accessibility requirements and accessible design principles.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, particularly InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
• Proficiency with project management software such as Asana or similar.
• Working knowledge of Figma and Microsoft Office.
• Demonstrated ability to develop concepts, articulate strategic thinking and design rationale and maintain high visual standards within an established brand.
• Experience owning projects from concept through final production, including knowledge of prepress, printing and proofing.
• Ability to collaborate and provide visual direction to photographers, illustrators, video producers or other creative partners on assigned work.
• Collaborative, deadline-driven work style; sound judgment; attention to detail and ability to manage competing priorities.
• Experience with responsive web design, HTML/CSS or website prototyping and wireframing.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with user experience/interface design.
• Experience with illustration, environmental graphics, data visualization or animation using Adobe After Effects.
• Experience in higher education, marketing agencies or another strongly branded organization.

Education and experience

• Assistant Art Director: bachelor’s degree with two or more years of relevant professional experience in conceptual and production design for digital and print media, supported by a portfolio that demonstrates project ownership and art-direction capability.
• Art Director: minimum of five years of relevant professional experience, including progressive creative achievement and responsibility.

Application materials

Cover letter, resume, and access to a portfolio showing relevant work, provided either as an attachment or through a digital portfolio link.

Pay

Anticipated hiring range: $65,000 to $85,000, commensurate with experience and corresponding job profile.

About The Brand Studio

The two creative studios within the Office of University Communications – the Brand Studio and the Content Studio – consist of designers, photographers, writers, video producers and social media experts. Their work covers a variety of disciplines, including digital and print design, branding, environmental and out-of-home designs, paid and owned advertising, editorial, merchandise, social media, photography, and video production. The creative studios’ core mission is to elevate, refine and advance the University of Virginia brand. In addition to working on design and multimedia content that supports institutional branding, editorial and advertising for the University as a whole, the creative studios collaborate on a wide range of projects with a variety of University partners, including the president’s office, Athletics and others. Samples of our work can be found on University Communications’ website.