Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Centennial College Student Association

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Job Type: Part-Time

Category: Marketing & Communications / Creative Services

Date Posted: August 15, 2026

Experience Level: Entry Level (0-2 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (Mainly Remote, Some On-Campus Work)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on the creation and execution of visually compelling graphic design assets to support the Centennial College Student Association (CCSAI) and its various networks.

• The Graphic Designer will collaborate closely with the Marketing and Communications team to develop promotional materials, social media content, and event-related visuals, ensuring brand consistency across all platforms.

• Responsibilities include conceptualizing designs, preparing them for various channels, and adhering to content management best practices for effective distribution.

• This is a student position, requiring current full-time enrollment and a strong academic standing, offering practical experience in a dynamic student organization environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job title "Graphic Designer" within the context of a "Student Association" and "Student Engagement & Supports" department strongly indicates a role focused on supporting student-focused initiatives, events, and communications. The "Part-Time" nature and "Academic Semester" duration further solidify this as an opportunity for current students to gain practical design experience.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and produce visually appealing graphics, illustrations, and layouts that align with CCSAI's brand guidelines and marketing objectives.

• Develop diverse visual content, including promotional materials for events, services, and organizational initiatives, as well as engaging social media assets.

• Collaborate with the Marketing & Communications team to brainstorm creative concepts and innovative methods for promoting CCSAI's networks, services, and student engagement activities.

• Assist in the development and execution of integrated promotional campaigns across various CCSAI networks and communication channels.

• Ensure all design outputs meet technical requirements and adhere to best practices for content management, including efficient uploading and distribution processes.

• Attend scheduled meetings, training sessions, and relevant departmental activities throughout the academic semester.

• Provide support to the Student Engagement & Supports department with other assigned duties as needed, fostering a team-oriented approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description emphasizes "visual content for all CCSAI Networks" and "promotion of services and space," indicating a need for versatile design skills applicable to various mediums. The requirement to "work closely with the Marketing and Communication team" highlights the collaborative nature of this role within a structured departmental setting.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Demonstrated experience or formal education in Graphic Design is considered an asset. While a specific degree is not mandated, a strong foundation in design principles and theory is expected.

Experience: Practical experience in graphic design, particularly in creating promotional materials and digital content, is beneficial. This can be gained through academic projects, personal work, or previous internships.

Required Skills:

• In-depth knowledge of design software, styles, and fundamental design theory.

• Outstanding organizational and time management skills, essential for balancing academic commitments with work responsibilities and meeting deadlines.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective collaboration with team members and stakeholders.

• Professionalism and respect in all interactions, crucial for working within a student association environment.

• Ability to conceptualize and execute designs that are visually appealing and meet brand requirements.

• Understanding of content management best practices for design and uploading processes. Preferred Skills:

• Proficiency with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop for advanced graphic creation.

• Experience with Canva for quick and accessible design tasks.

• Familiarity with collaboration and project management tools such as SharePoint, Dropbox, Teamwork Project Management, and Microsoft Teams.

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for general office tasks and communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "asset" designation for education and specific software implies that practical portfolio work and demonstrated skills will be highly valued, potentially outweighing formal academic qualifications for certain aspects of the role. The emphasis on "full-time student" and "good academic standing" are critical eligibility criteria.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A portfolio showcasing original design work is mandatory for all applicants.

• The portfolio should demonstrate a range of design capabilities, including promotional materials, social media graphics, and potentially event-related visuals.

• Applicants must provide a clear link to their portfolio within their application.

• The portfolio should highlight the candidate's ability to conceptualize, develop, and present designs that are both visually appealing and aligned with brand requirements. Process Documentation:

• While formal process documentation is not explicitly required, candidates are expected to understand and adhere to content management best practices in the design and uploading process.

• The ability to follow established workflows for design requests, revisions, and final delivery is implicitly expected.

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their personal design process and how they manage projects from concept to completion.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for a portfolio and the mention of "content management in the design and uploading process" suggest that candidates should be prepared to articulate their workflow and demonstrate practical application of design principles in a real-world context. The "asset" status of certain software implies that the portfolio should showcase proficiency in the most critical design tools.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the provided information and regional standards for student part-time roles in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the estimated salary is CAD $18.00 per hour.

Explanation: This estimate is derived from the AI's interpretation of a typical hourly rate for entry-level design positions, particularly those targeting students, in the Toronto metropolitan area. The "Part-Time" nature and "5-10 Hours a Week" work schedule also inform this hourly rate to ensure fair compensation for the time commitment.

Benefits:

• Practical, hands-on experience in graphic design within a professional organizational setting.

• Opportunity to build a professional portfolio with real-world projects for CCSAI.

• Development of key skills in marketing, communications, and project management.

• Exposure to cross-functional collaboration with professional staff and student peers.

• Potential for networking opportunities within the Centennial College community and the broader student association sector. Working Hours:

• Part-Time, averaging 5-10 hours per week.

• Hours may fluctuate based on project needs and event schedules.

• Work is primarily remote, with occasional on-campus work required.

• Availability is expected Monday through Friday.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given this is a student position, traditional benefits like health insurance or paid time off are unlikely. The primary "benefits" are experiential and developmental, aligning with the purpose of student employment opportunities. The salary estimate is based on the AI's general knowledge of entry-level and student worker compensation in the Toronto area.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: The Centennial College Student Association (CCSAI) operates within the non-profit sector, specifically serving the student community of Centennial College. This context means a focus on student welfare, engagement, and advocacy.

Company Size: While specific employee numbers are not provided, student associations typically have a core team of professional staff supplemented by numerous student employees and volunteers. This creates a dynamic environment with opportunities for both mentorship and peer collaboration.

Founded: Centennial College was founded in 1966. The CCSAI, as its student association, has a long-standing history of supporting students, implying established processes and a commitment to student life.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the "Student Engagement & Supports" department.

• They will work closely with the "Marketing and Communications team," which likely includes marketing specialists, communication officers, and potentially other creative staff.

• The role involves collaboration with other "Engagement Staff Team members," suggesting a broader network of student support professionals.

• The reporting structure likely places the Graphic Designer under a Marketing Manager or a Director of Student Engagement, with direct supervision from professional staff. Methodology:

• Design work will be guided by CCSAI's brand requirements and marketing objectives, emphasizing on-brand visual communication.

• Collaboration will involve brainstorming creative ideas and developing promotional strategies to enhance student engagement.

• Content management best practices will be applied to ensure efficient and effective distribution of visual assets.

• The overall approach is student-centric, aiming to support and improve the student experience at Centennial College.

Company Website: https://ccsai.bamboohr.com/careers

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Student Association" context implies a mission-driven environment focused on student success and community building. The "Hybrid" work model and emphasis on collaboration with professional staff suggest a structured yet flexible approach to operations and team dynamics.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at an Entry-Level / Student Assistant capacity. It is designed for individuals currently pursuing their education, offering a foundational experience in graphic design and marketing within a professional setting. The scope is project-based and focused on executing specific design tasks under supervision.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report to a member of the professional staff within the Marketing and Communications team or the Student Engagement & Supports department. This ensures guidance, mentorship, and oversight for design projects and professional development.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts CCSAI's ability to effectively communicate with its student population. High-quality visuals enhance brand perception, promote services and events, and ultimately contribute to student engagement and participation in CCSAI initiatives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Enhance graphic design skills, particularly in areas like branding, digital marketing visuals, and layout design. Gain proficiency with industry-standard software.

• Portfolio Building: Develop a professional portfolio with tangible design projects that can be leveraged for future employment opportunities.

• Industry Exposure: Experience working within a student association, understanding the unique communication and marketing challenges of this sector.

• Networking: Build connections with professional staff and fellow student employees at Centennial College, which can lead to future opportunities and mentorship.

• Potential for Future Roles: Demonstrating strong performance may lead to opportunities for extended terms or similar roles within CCSAI or other student organizations.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a student position, the growth is primarily focused on skill acquisition and practical application rather than linear career progression within the organization. The role serves as a stepping stone, providing valuable experience and a professional reference.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The work environment is described as Hybrid, meaning it combines remote work with some on-campus duties. This offers flexibility for the student while ensuring opportunities for in-person collaboration and engagement with the college environment.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is Toronto, Ontario, Canada. While the role is mainly remote, there will be requirements for on-campus work at Centennial College facilities, which are located in Toronto. Specific campus locations would be confirmed upon hiring.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Workspace: Requires a reliable internet connection and a suitable personal workspace for focused design tasks.

• On-Campus Interaction: Opportunities for face-to-face meetings with the Marketing and Communications team, attending departmental events, and experiencing the campus atmosphere.

• Tools & Technology: Access to design software (personal licenses or provided), and collaboration platforms like Microsoft Teams and potentially SharePoint/Dropbox for file sharing.

Work Schedule:

• Flexible, averaging 5-10 hours per week, scheduled Monday to Friday.

• The schedule will likely be arranged in coordination with supervisors to meet project deadlines and team needs, allowing for integration with academic coursework.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key feature, offering a blend of autonomy and collaborative engagement. The "mainly remote" aspect suggests a reliance on digital communication and project management tools for day-to-day operations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, and a link to their design portfolio via CCSAI.ca/Jobs.

• Portfolio Review: The initial screening will heavily involve reviewing the submitted portfolios to assess design skills, creativity, and alignment with CCSAI's brand.

• Initial Interview: Shortlisted candidates will likely undergo an interview (potentially via video call) to discuss their experience, design approach, and suitability for the role and team. This may include questions about their academic standing and availability.

• Skills Assessment/Case Study (Potential): While not explicitly stated, a small design task or a discussion about a hypothetical design challenge might be part of the process to evaluate problem-solving skills and design thinking.

• Final Interview: A final interview with key stakeholders, potentially including department heads, to confirm fit and finalize the selection.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Effectively: Showcase your best and most relevant work. For this role, focus on designs that demonstrate versatility in promotional materials, social media graphics, and branding.

• Showcase Process: Briefly explain your design process for key projects – from concept to final output. This demonstrates your thought process and problem-solving abilities.

• Highlight Impact: If possible, include examples where your designs achieved specific goals (e.g., increased event attendance, engagement on social media). Quantifiable results are highly valued.

• Brand Alignment: Ensure your portfolio reflects an understanding of branding principles, as the role requires adherence to CCSAI's brand guidelines.

• Technical Proficiency: Clearly present work that demonstrates proficiency in essential design software like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Canva.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand CCSAI: Research the Centennial College Student Association, its mission, services, and current initiatives. Familiarize yourself with their existing branding and marketing materials.

• Design Principles: Refresh your knowledge of fundamental design principles (typography, color theory, layout, composition).

• Software Familiarity: Be prepared to discuss your experience with the listed software and potentially demonstrate your skills if a practical exercise is given.

• Collaboration Skills: Think about how you collaborate with others on projects, manage feedback, and meet deadlines, especially in a team setting.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of a portfolio requirement and the application process through a specific job portal indicates a structured hiring procedure. The emphasis on "original designs" and linking the portfolio means candidates must have readily accessible and presentable work samples.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Illustrator: Essential for vector graphics, logos, and scalable illustrations. Proficiency is highly valued for creating professional brand assets.

• Adobe Photoshop: Crucial for image editing, photo manipulation, and creating raster-based graphics for web and print.

• Canva: A valuable tool for quickly creating social media graphics, presentations, and other visual content, especially in a fast-paced environment.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly responsible for analytics, understanding how design impacts engagement metrics on social media or event promotion is beneficial. Familiarity with basic reporting dashboards might be helpful if integrated with marketing campaigns. CRM & Automation:

• SharePoint: Likely used for document management, team collaboration, and storing project assets.

• Dropbox: Another cloud storage solution for file sharing and collaboration.

• Teamwork Project Management: May be used for tracking design requests, project timelines, and team assignments.

• Microsoft Teams: The primary platform for internal communication, meetings, and team collaboration.

• Outlook: For email communication and calendar management.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Standard suite for document creation, presentations, and general office productivity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The listed preferred platforms (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Canva) are core to the Graphic Designer role. The inclusion of collaboration and document management tools like SharePoint, Dropbox, and Microsoft Teams highlights the expected level of digital collaboration and workflow integration.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Student-Centricity: All design work and communication efforts are geared towards supporting and enhancing the student experience at Centennial College.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on teamwork, working closely with the Marketing & Communications team and other engagement staff to achieve shared goals.

• Professionalism & Respect: Maintaining a respectful and professional demeanor in all interactions, reflecting the values of the student association and the college.

• Creativity & Innovation: Encouraging the generation of new ideas and visually appealing designs to effectively promote CCSAI's initiatives.

• Efficiency: Adhering to best practices for content management and design processes to ensure timely delivery of high-quality work.

Collaboration Style:

• Team-Oriented: The role involves close collaboration with professional staff and potentially other student team members.

• Feedback Integration: Openness to receiving and incorporating feedback from the Marketing & Communications team to refine designs and ensure alignment with objectives.

• Cross-Functional Support: Willingness to support various departments and initiatives within the Student Engagement & Supports umbrella.

• Digital Communication: Reliance on platforms like Microsoft Teams for ongoing communication, project updates, and virtual meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is likely fast-paced and dynamic, driven by the academic calendar and student life events. The values emphasize service to students, teamwork, and professional conduct within a supportive educational environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Academic and Work Commitments: Effectively managing time to meet both academic deadlines and project requirements for CCSAI.

• Brand Consistency: Ensuring all designs adhere strictly to CCSAI's brand guidelines while also bringing creative flair.

• Diverse Design Needs: Adapting design style and output to meet the varied needs of different CCSAI networks, events, and promotional campaigns.

• Feedback Management: Navigating constructive criticism and revision requests from multiple stakeholders.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Practical Design Experience: Gaining hands-on experience with real-world design projects for a student organization.

• Software Proficiency: Deepening skills in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop) and learning to leverage tools like Canva effectively.

• Marketing & Communications Exposure: Understanding how graphic design integrates into broader marketing strategies and communication campaigns.

• Professional Networking: Building connections with college staff and fellow students, which can be invaluable for future career prospects.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Creating a robust portfolio that showcases a range of skills and accomplishments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for student positions, emphasizing time management and adaptability. The growth opportunities are focused on practical skill development and building a professional foundation.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Can you walk us through your design process for a recent project, from initial concept to final delivery? What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on process, problem-solving, and project management.)

• "How do you ensure your designs are on-brand and visually appealing for a diverse student audience?" (Assess understanding of branding and target audience engagement.)

• "Describe a time you received constructive criticism on your design work. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?" (Evaluate ability to receive feedback and iterate.)

• "How do you prioritize tasks when you have multiple design requests with competing deadlines?" (Test time management and organizational skills.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working with the Centennial College Student Association specifically?" (Gauge understanding of the organization's mission and your motivation.)

• "How do you see your design skills contributing to student engagement at Centennial College?" (Connect your skills to the organization's goals.)

• "Describe your experience working in a team environment. What is your preferred collaboration style?" (Assess teamwork and communication abilities.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or chronologically. Include a brief introduction for each project, outlining the objective, your role, and the tools used.

• Highlight Key Projects: Select 3-5 of your strongest and most relevant projects to present in detail. For these, be ready to discuss your creative decisions, problem-solving approaches, and the impact of your design.

• Demonstrate Versatility: Showcase a range of work that includes social media graphics, promotional flyers/posters, and perhaps digital illustrations or logos.

• Be Ready for Technical Questions: Prepare to discuss your proficiency with specific software (Illustrator, Photoshop, Canva) and potentially answer questions about technical aspects of design files (e.g., resolution, file formats).

• Enthusiasm: Convey passion for design and a genuine interest in supporting the student community at Centennial College.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating practical design skills, an understanding of branding, strong communication, and an alignment with the student-centric mission of CCSAI. The portfolio is the cornerstone of the application.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Visit CCSAI.ca/Jobs to submit your application.

• Tailor Your Resume and Cover Letter: Highlight relevant design experience, academic achievements, and specific skills (e.g., proficiency in Adobe Suite, Canva). Clearly state your current full-time student status and academic standing.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio link is prominently displayed and showcases diverse, high-quality original designs relevant to promotional materials and digital content. Prepare to discuss your design process and rationale for key projects.

• Prepare for Interview Questions: Research CCSAI, its mission, and its current marketing efforts. Practice articulating your design process, how you handle feedback, and your motivation for this specific role.

• Confirm Eligibility: Double-check that you meet all eligibility requirements, including being a full-time student in good academic standing with a valid Canadian Social Insurance Number (minimum 6 months to expiry).

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.