Temporary Junior Designer, Brand & Communication

NPR is a thriving, mission-driven multimedia organization producing award-winning news, information, and music programming in partnership with hundreds of independent public radio stations. Our audience values information, creativity, curiosity, and social responsibility—and our employees do too. We are innovators and leaders in diverse fields, from journalism and digital media to IT and development, touching the lives of millions worldwide every day. Across the organization, we foster a workplace where collaboration, diverse voices, and inclusion drive our success. Integrity, adherence to ethical standards, and compliance with legal obligations are fundamental responsibilities for every employee at NPR.

About the role

NPR’s Branding team builds, protects, evolves, and stewards the NPR brand. We aim to expand the reach and impact of everything NPR produces—from up-to-the-minute digital and broadcast content to on-demand podcasts, events, videos, and curated app experiences. We are seeking a creative, bold, big-ideas designer to join our fast-paced team of copywriters, designers, strategists, and project managers. This individual will apply creative savvy, top-notch design expertise, and brand-building skills to strengthen NPR’s brand and attract new users to its ever-growing portfolio of shows. The role centers on NPR’s mission: to inform and engage audiences with compelling editorial programming and first-rate journalism. All applicants must submit a portfolio, which will be the primary source of evaluation for this role.

This is a union-represented role covered under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement with NABET-CWA DMU.

Responsibilities

• Build out brand assets and systems following concepts and creative direction from senior designers, including: logos, podcast tiles, key art, typography applications, color palette implementations, brand patterns, social media templates, and brand kit packages.
• Apply existing brand guidelines to create compelling visual assets that express the unique ethos and editorial mission of NPR podcasts, programs, and editorial properties.
• Support the reimagining of existing NPR editorial property brands to resonate with diverse audiences.
• Conceptualize and execute complete brand systems for smaller, lower-visibility NPR projects and properties.
• Collaborate with senior team members to ensure brand work aligns with the NPR parent brand and overall brand family/hierarchy.
• Create marketing campaigns that follow existing brand guidelines and systems, contributing to art direction and creative concepts alongside copywriters and senior designers.
• Build campaign assets required for each campaign: digital and social ads, Apple/Spotify art, illustrations, animations, video beginning/end slates, and graphic systems.
• Pay attention to audience research and user testing, adapting to new insights and applying learnings to your work.
• Actively contribute ideas to team brainstorms, whether in the room or via collaboration tools.
• Partner with copywriters and senior designers to support brand directions and campaign visions.
• Create visual designs based on target audience data, project requirements, and limitations articulated in creative briefs.
• Create presentation decks and supporting materials for campaigns and brand projects.
• Ensure final graphics and layouts are high-quality, align with brand standards, and maintain consistency across brands and campaigns.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree, Design degree, or equivalent in work experience.
• 1-3 years of experience in graphic design and digital advertising (or equivalent portfolio demonstrating strong design skills).
• Experience with branding, typography, key art, digital design, and social media design.
• Interest in motion graphics and animation, with a willingness to learn and develop these skills.
• Passion for brands, marketing, and creative campaigns, with a growing understanding of advertising best practices.
• Able to work in a fast-paced, constantly evolving, news-driven environment.
• Open and receptive to feedback from senior team members and stakeholders.
• Ability to interpret feedback and make thoughtful design revisions.
• Self-motivated and enthusiastic, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Able to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines while maintaining attention to detail and visual quality.

Skills

• Strong proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator) required.
• Basic knowledge of Premiere and/or After Effects is a plus.
• Experience working with copywriters is a plus.

Work Location & Requirements

This is a remote-permitted role based out of our Washington, D.C. office. You may choose to work (a) remotely from a location within the United States that NPR approves, (b) on-site at an NPR facility (based on desk availability and approval), or (c) a combination of both. Occasional travel to other locations may be required to perform the duties of your position.

Pay

The U.S.-based anticipated hourly rate for this opportunity is $32.45–$33.42 per hour. The range reflects the minimum and maximum hourly rate NPR expects to provide for new hires across all US locations.

Schedule

This is a temporary (6-month) full-time position. Regular, full-time employees scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week are eligible to enroll in NPR’s benefits options.

Benefits

• Access to health and wellness benefits for employees and dependents, including medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Life, accidental death and dismemberment, long-term disability, and short-term disability insurance.
• Voluntary retirement savings plans for eligible employees.
• Paid time off.
• Financial well-being programs.