Designer

What you’ll do

• Aid in the layout and design of editorial content for all four NEWSWELL Chicago print publications.
• Ensure that stories and advertisements are correctly formatted, visually appealing, and placed according to page plans and templates.
• Act as the first line of defense for catching layout issues, including misaligned elements, incorrect typography, spacing, missing assets, and formatting errors.
• Support the Editorial and Digital Design Lead in weekly page production, special projects, and design workflows.
• Prepare pages for print production, checking bleeds, color profiles, image resolution, and final file integrity.
• Follow established design templates, style guidelines, and brand standards to maintain visual consistency across all products.
• Update graphics, photos, pull quotes, and other design elements as needed to support editorial layout.
• Collaborate with editorial staff to ensure layouts reflect story hierarchy, news value, and readability.
• Communicate proactively about missing assets, photo needs, or scheduling issues that may impact production.
• Occasionally assist with digital assets, such as resizing images or preparing simple visuals for digital products.

What you'll need

• Proficiency in Adobe InDesign; basic working knowledge of Photoshop or Illustrator.
• A strong attention to visual detail, layout structure, hierarchy, and typography.
• The ability to work efficiently under deadline pressure and handle multiple pages or tasks at once.
• Good communication and collaboration skills with editors and design leads.
• An understanding of print production basics (resolution, file setup, PDF export settings).
• A commitment to accuracy, consistency, brand alignment, and high design standards.
• Relevant qualifications, including coursework or experience in graphic design, journalism, visual communication, or related fields.
• Entry-level experience in layout design or print production (professional, internship, or student media experience accepted).
• Potential familiarity with Chicago neighborhoods and community-focused journalism.
• Preferred skills and abilities, including Spanish fluency.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan with matching employer contribution.
• 22 days of vacation time.
• 11 holidays, including your birthday.
• Parental leave.
• Significant tuition reductions.
• $30 bi-weekly cell phone reimbursement.