Job Description

Graphic Designer

Under the guidance of the Director, Exhibitions, the Graphic Designer is responsible for designing impactful and dynamic graphic identities for exhibitions and internal and external institutional initiatives from concept to execution. Working collaboratively with cross-departmental teams, the Graphic Designer leverages current design practice to develop world-class experiences that embody the DIA's visitor-centered approach across print, digital, and environmental graphics.

Essential Functions

• Provides graphic design services for all museum needs internal and external including but not limited to Exhibitions, Marketing and Communications, Development, Programming, Visitor Experience, Events, Education Programs, Interpretation, Studio, Talent and Culture, and other museum projects as assigned.
• Collaborate with internal museum stakeholders to manage and design world-class museum experiences from concept to execution across exhibitions, installation, print, digital, and environmental graphics.
• Research and develop exhibition and initiative identities and execute them across a variety of platforms (in-gallery graphics, signage, invitations, etc.).
• Create design assets that align and elevate exhibition and initiative identities and DIA standards.
• Execute designed identities across a variety of assets, ensuring a shared design language between designs for in-gallery graphics, invitation suites, signage, and other collateral.
• Design and execute bespoke programs for non-exhibition events and programs.
• Execute one-off institutional projects in adherence with the brand identity and design systems.
• Develop, maintain, and present effective presentations, mockups, and prototypes to project teams to facilitate feedback mechanisms and approvals.
• Oversee diverse production methodologies, including large-run offset, short-run digital prints, environmental graphics, and digital graphics, ensuring the highest quality across media.
• Manage and oversee the RFP and bid process in collaboration with the Production Coordinator and the Purchasing Department.
• Work with Production Coordinator to facilitate the production of graphics and installation of all graphic elements.
• Develop, monitor, and meet schedules and budgets, in collaboration with Exhibitions staff and other stakeholders.
• Maintain and document cohesive design standards and criteria for museum presentation that meet or exceed ADA standards.
• Partner with Research, Library, Archives, and Information Collections to ensure the archiving and preservation of design files.
• Apply DIA values to interactions to support a culture of belonging among internal and external stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Master's degree in graphic design, communication design, or other relevant design discipline required. Master's degree preferred. Five (5) years of broad graphic design experience designing and producing environmental graphics, printed collateral, or digital for diverse audiences and applications required. Experience in a museum environment is preferred. Fluency in Adobe Create Suite required. Additional years of experience may be substituted for degree requirement.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated collaboration skills to work across departments and divisions internally and with diverse stakeholders externally.
• Demonstrated ability to develop graphic design concepts that engage with the latest design conversations and are fluent with digital media, architecture, and various types of artwork.
• Working knowledge of design graphics for production, including large-run offset, short-run digital prints, environmental graphics, and digital graphics.
• Advanced proficiency with the Adobe Creative Suite.
• Demonstrated organizational skills to plan, manage, prioritize, and complete multiple on-going projects to meet deadlines and goals.
• Ability to communicate with, manage and oversee vendors to meet expectations and deadlines.
• Experience with developing and tracking budgets for projects, assuring adherence to approved budgets.
• Ability to provide information, ideas, and instructions clearly, effectively, and professionally through talking or writing.
• Demonstrated ability to speak publicly, including presenting or sharing information in a clear, effective, and engaging manner suited to the audience.
• Demonstrated research and analysis skills to identify critical information and complete projects and goals.
• Must possess a demonstrated understanding of ethical business conduct and professional practices including maintenance and protection of confidential and sensitive information.
• Ability to work occasional weekend and evening hours for special events.
• Must be proficient in the latest version of Microsoft Office 365.
• Must have proficiency in the use of remote work technology such as scheduling with, connecting to, and using digital collaboration platforms such as Microsoft Teams.
• Must be able to establish and maintain professional, productive and courteous interactions that promote positive teamwork. This encompasses going beyond giving and receiving instructions and includes but is not limited to (a) performing work activities requiring interacting or speaking with others; and (b) responding appropriately to constructive feedback or suggestions for improvement from a supervisor.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Upon receiving notice, reasonable accommodations may be made, if possible, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate and exchange accurate information using various methods including in-person, telephone and email. Ability to move frequently through DIA gallery spaces before, during, and after graphics installation. Ability to execute graphic installation when required.

This job description describes the general nature of the duties and requirements of this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list or to limit the supervisor's ability to modify work assignments as appropriate.

The Detroit Institute of Arts is an equal opportunity employer.

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