People Strategy, Equity, and Culture

Designer

  • Title: Designer
  • Class: Classified
  • Exempt Status: Non-exempt
  • Level: 20

Job Summary

Under the direction of management, promotes the college’s programs and offerings to the general public through the design and production of advertising and publications. This may include brochures, posters, newsletters, displays, postcards, newspaper and magazine advertisements, the schedule of classes and catalog covers. Job requires well-developed verbal skills to present and exchange technical or complex information. Interactions occur with a variety of people including college administrators and staff, vendors and contracted photographers, writers, and graphic artists.

This classification is distinguished from the Senior Designer in that incumbents assigned to the Designer classification operate within established standards but do not have authority to approve or produce designs that are contrary to established standards for visual content and appearance of the College’s public and mass communication.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities

  1. Designs and produces marketing publications utilizing a variety of software and hardware. Products may include the quarterly PCC schedule cover, annual PCC catalog cover, annual report, brochures, fliers, posters, newsletters, advertisements and special events notices.
  2. Consults with and advises clients concerning their marketing needs. Shows clients print, paper, and ink samples. Recommends possible approaches to communicating with potential audience.
  3. Secures client written approval for printing, normally after viewing a series of proofs which results in editorial and visual improvements.
  4. Meets specific deadlines based on personal workflow, department workflow, client’s needs and printer’s needs.
  5. Creates illustrations, maps, graphics and animations. Selects and prepares photographs for publishing.
  6. Evaluates and chooses appropriate printing papers and inks, and selects and manipulates type.
  7. Advises others regarding design and application of the college graphic identity standards; and checks for design integrity, appropriateness, printability, and visual appeal.
  8. Stays abreast of current design and production methods, procedures and trends. Updates knowledge of software used daily.
  9. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

Work is primarily performed in an office environment with some travel between buildings, and occasional visits to off-campus vendors. Involves tight deadlines, periods of heavy work flow and the need to make judgments amid the interruptions and distractions of an open office environment. Occasional need to work extended hours. Required to upgrade knowledge and skills as necessary to maintain state-of-the art proficiency. Exposure to video display terminals occurs on a routine basis.

Moderate lifting of paper and materials. Physical skills required to operate mouse-intensive publications software and to perform keyboarding functions. Operates scanner, laser printer, color ink jet printer, copier, and fax machine.

Minimum Qualifications

Associate’s Degree in Graphic Design plus three years of diverse design and production experience. Experience performing the duties of the job may substitute for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Must have knowledge of Windows and Macintosh personal computing systems. Must have thorough knowledge in the use of desktop publishing software (Adobe InDesign) and basic knowledge of other types of software used in the design and production of marketing publications (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, scanning software, FileMaker Pro and Extensis Portfolio).

Must have excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage and coordinate multiple projects concurrently, meeting established timelines, quality, and cost objectives. Must have effective interpersonal skills, including verbal, written and presentation. Ability to comprehend complex and technical information and convey to others. Ability to analyze complex problems and find solutions.

Reviewed: 12/18

  • Revised: 06/06
  • Replaces: Art Coordinator/Designer, 8/00