Graphic Designer II

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer II

Company: University of Florida

Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)

Job Type: Full-Time, Temporary

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing / Education

Date Posted: June 23, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Develops and executes engaging graphic design solutions to market the College of Education to diverse audiences, ensuring alignment with university branding guidelines.

• Collaborates with cross-functional teams, including communications, instructional design, and videography, to deliver cohesive and impactful design assets for various college initiatives.

• Provides creative leadership and guidance to junior designers and student staff, fostering a collaborative and high-quality design environment.

• Researches and implements best practices in design technologies, trends, and accessibility standards (ADA compliance) to maintain a competitive edge and inclusivity.

• Captures high-quality photography for promotional materials, events, and personnel, adhering to university and college-wide branding standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is classified as a Graphic Designer II, indicating a mid-level position requiring a solid foundation in design principles and practical experience. The "Temporary" employment type suggests a fixed-term contract, which is important for candidates to consider regarding long-term career planning. The emphasis on marketing the College of Education highlights a B2C (Business to Consumer) or B2E (Business to Education) focus within the higher education sector.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Create visually compelling graphic materials, including templates, promotional collateral, logos, iconography, social media graphics, presentations, and print materials, strictly adhering to the College of Education's branding guidelines and style.

• Collaborate closely with the Assistant Director of Operations, Assistant Director of Communications, and Assistant Director of Education and Training Programs on all promotional projects, ensuring design assets meet project objectives.

• Partner with videography, communications, and instructional design staff to integrate design elements seamlessly into broader marketing and educational initiatives.

• Manage client communications with internal and external stakeholders to ensure project requirements are clearly understood and deliverables are met effectively and efficiently.

• Provide mentorship, assign tasks, and offer constructive design feedback to OPS (Other Personnel Services) and/or student designers, fostering their professional development and upholding design quality.

• Develop and maintain comprehensive design guidelines and branding standards for all College of Education-related materials, ensuring consistency and brand integrity across all platforms.

• Conduct competitive analysis by reviewing and comparing the design output of peer academic institutions to identify opportunities for innovation and improvement.

• Stay current with emerging design technologies, software, trends, and industry standards, and proactively incorporate them into the college's design strategy.

• Ensure all designed materials comply with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessibility requirements, making them usable by individuals with disabilities.

• Capture professional-quality photographs of college events, faculty, staff, and students, ensuring visual appeal and adherence to branding standards for web and print applications.

• Perform post-photoshoot editing and optimize images for various platforms, demonstrating expertise in framing, lighting, and composition.

• Execute other assigned duties by operational leadership and deans, supporting the broader strategic goals of the College of Education.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a need for strong project management skills, client-facing communication, and leadership potential, particularly in guiding junior staff. The dual responsibility of graphic design and photography requires a versatile candidate. The emphasis on ADA compliance and competitive analysis points to a strategic approach to design, not just aesthetic execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Master's degree in an appropriate area (e.g., Graphic Design, Marketing, Communications, Arts, Business Administration).

• Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree in an appropriate area with a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered. Experience:

• Minimum of two years of relevant professional graphic design experience, particularly in creating dynamic graphics for both print and web applications.

• Experience in a university or higher education setting is advantageous. Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator.

• Strong understanding of branding principles and the ability to create and maintain brand guidelines.

• Experience in layout design and production for print materials, with a solid grasp of CMYK color models.

• Ability to design effective social media graphics and digital marketing assets.

• Competence in project management and client communication to ensure timely and effective delivery of design projects.

• Knowledge of ADA compliance in graphic design to ensure accessibility of materials. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with advanced Adobe Creative Suite applications such as After Effects and XD for motion graphics and UI/UX design.

• Proven experience using professional photography equipment and performing post-shoot editing and optimization.

• Familiarity with accessibility standards for website and graphic design products beyond basic ADA requirements.

• Experience designing materials specifically for marketing and promotional events within an academic context.

• Knowledge of web design principles and optimization of images for web use.

• Experience in layout applications like Adobe InDesign, demonstrating advanced proficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "2-5 years" experience level derived aligns with the "Graphic Designer II" title and the requirement for a Bachelor's degree plus two years of experience or a Master's degree. The preferred skills list indicates a desire for a candidate who can contribute beyond basic print and digital design, hinting at potential future needs in motion graphics or UI/UX.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of graphic design projects, with a strong emphasis on marketing and promotional materials for an educational or similar institution.

• Demonstrations of ability to create and adhere to brand guidelines, including logo development, iconography, and consistent visual theming across different media.

• Examples of digital assets, such as social media graphics, web banners, and presentation templates, highlighting adaptability to various platforms.

• Specific case studies or project examples that illustrate the process of developing design from concept to final delivery, including client brief interpretation and problem-solving.

• Visual evidence of print design projects, including brochures, flyers, event materials, and reports, showcasing layout proficiency and attention to detail. Process Documentation:

• The portfolio should implicitly or explicitly demonstrate understanding of the design process, including:

  • Initial concept development and client consultation.

  • Iterative design and feedback incorporation.

  • Pre-press preparation and final output for print.

  • Optimization and implementation for digital platforms.

  • Adherence to project timelines and workflow management.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Graphic Designer II role, a portfolio is crucial. It should not only display aesthetic talent but also demonstrate a structured approach to design projects, client interaction, and the ability to meet specific marketing objectives. The inclusion of ADA compliance and branding adherence in portfolio examples would be highly beneficial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $53,000 - $66,000 per year

Benefits:

• As part of the University of Florida, employees are typically eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, which may include:

  • Health insurance (medical, dental, vision)

  • Retirement savings plan (e.g., Florida Retirement System, 403(b))

  • Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

  • Life insurance and disability coverage.

  • Tuition reimbursement or educational assistance programs for eligible employees and dependents.

  • Access to university facilities and employee wellness programs. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work schedule is typically 40 hours per week.

• Hours are generally Monday through Friday, aligning with typical business operations.

• Flexibility may be required for event photography or urgent project deadlines, with potential for adjusted hours or occasional overtime, subject to operational needs and university policy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range of $53,000 - $66,000 is competitive for a Graphic Designer II role in Gainesville, Florida, considering the cost of living and the specialized nature of design work within a large institution. The "Temporary" classification might affect eligibility for certain long-term benefits, which candidates should verify.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education

Company Size: Large (University of Florida is a major public research university with tens of thousands of employees and students.)

Founded: 1906 (The University of Florida has a long-standing history and established institutional culture.)

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer II will operate within the College of Education, reporting to an Assistant Director of Operations.

• This role involves collaboration with other Assistant Directors (Communications, Education and Training Programs), videography, communications, and instructional design staff.

• The position also includes providing leadership to OPS and/or student designers, indicating a team-oriented structure with mentorship opportunities.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a key aspect, requiring effective communication and integration with various departments and initiatives. Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: While not a primary data analysis role, the Graphic Designer II will interpret marketing briefs and audience insights to inform design decisions. Research into design trends and competitor analysis will inform strategic planning.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: The role requires managing multiple projects, prioritizing tasks, and ensuring efficient delivery of design assets, working within established operational workflows.

• Automation & Efficiency: Familiarity with design software and efficient design practices will contribute to overall team efficiency. The role also involves creating templates that can streamline future design tasks.

Company Website: https://www.ufl.edu/

College of Education Website: https://education.ufl.edu/

📝 Enhancement Note: Working within a large university like UF means navigating established institutional processes, branding regulations, and a diverse stakeholder base. The culture is likely to be academic, research-focused, and community-oriented, with a strong emphasis on education and public service. The College of Education specifically will have a unique internal culture focused on pedagogical advancements and student success.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level Designer. This role is a "Graphic Designer II," suggesting a step above an entry-level position, with increased responsibility for project execution, client interaction, and potentially some mentorship. It's a specialized role within the broader operational framework of the university.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer II reports to an Assistant Director of Operations and collaborates with other Assistant Directors and various creative/communications staff. This structure allows for guidance from operational leadership while fostering cross-departmental teamwork.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer II's work directly impacts the perception and marketing effectiveness of the College of Education. High-quality, on-brand design and photography are crucial for student recruitment, donor engagement, faculty recruitment, and overall institutional reputation. Their work supports the operational goal of effectively communicating the college's mission and achievements.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunity to deepen expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly with preferred software like After Effects and XD, potentially leading to roles with more motion graphics or UI/UX responsibilities.

• Specialization: Potential to specialize further in higher education marketing, event design, or digital content creation within the university system.

• Leadership Development: Experience in leading junior designers and student staff can pave the way for future supervisory or team lead roles in design or communications.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Collaboration across various departments (communications, IT, academic programs) provides broad exposure to different operational facets of a large university, which can broaden career options.

• Permanent Positions: While this is a temporary role, demonstrating strong performance could lead to opportunities in permanent Graphic Designer or related positions within UF or other institutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a temporary role, growth is primarily focused on skill enhancement and portfolio building. The experience gained in a large, reputable institution like UF is a significant asset for future career steps, whether within higher education or in other industries. The leadership aspect, even if informal, is a valuable growth area.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site at the University of Florida's Main Campus in Gainesville, FL. This implies working within a university setting, which is typically a vibrant, academic environment.

Office Location(s): Main Campus (Gainesville, FL). Specific building or department location will be within the College of Education facilities.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is likely to be a professional office environment within the College of Education, equipped with standard office amenities.

• Access to necessary design hardware (computers, monitors) and software (Adobe Creative Suite) will be provided.

• Opportunities for collaboration will exist with colleagues within the college's communications and operations teams, as well as with faculty and staff across departments.

• The environment will be academic and professional, requiring adherence to university policies and professional conduct. Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week, typically Monday to Friday.

• While core hours are expected, some flexibility might be possible, especially around event photography needs, subject to operational requirements and approval.

📝 Enhancement Note: Working on a university campus offers a unique environment with access to academic resources, diverse populations, and a generally stable work setting. The "on-site" requirement means candidates should be prepared for a traditional office-based role.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application Review: Your resume, cover letter, and portfolio will be reviewed for qualifications and design quality.

• Screening Call/Interview: A preliminary discussion, potentially with HR or a hiring manager, to assess basic qualifications, work experience, and interest.

• Skills Assessment/Design Challenge: Candidates may be asked to complete a design exercise or case study, either remotely or on-site, to evaluate practical design skills, problem-solving abilities, and adherence to branding/accessibility requirements.

• On-site Interview: This typically involves meeting with the hiring manager (Assistant Director of Operations), other relevant stakeholders (e.g., Assistant Director of Communications), and potentially team members or junior designers. Questions will focus on design philosophy, project management, collaboration, and experience with specific tools and techniques.

• Portfolio Presentation: Be prepared to walk through your portfolio, explaining your design process, the rationale behind your creative choices, the challenges you faced, and the outcomes achieved for key projects.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Prioritize work that demonstrates experience with marketing materials, branding, print, and digital design, ideally within an educational or institutional context.

• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly outline the brief, your role, your design process, key decisions, and the final outcome. Highlight how you addressed specific requirements like branding or accessibility.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If you have metrics on campaign success, engagement rates, or improvements due to your design, include them. For example, "Designed social media campaign that increased engagement by X%."

• Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio clearly shows your command of Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator) and any other relevant software.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects that align with the responsibilities of a Graphic Designer II at the University of Florida, particularly those involving marketing for an academic institution.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Branding: Research the University of Florida and College of Education branding guidelines thoroughly. Be prepared to apply them in a hypothetical scenario.

• ADA Compliance: Review ADA guidelines for digital and print materials. Think about how you'd ensure accessibility in your designs.

• Problem-Solving: Practice articulating how you would approach a design brief with ambiguous requirements or tight deadlines. Focus on your process for clarifying needs and delivering solutions.

• Photography Integration: If a photography component is included, be ready to discuss your approach to event coverage, portraiture, and image editing for marketing purposes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a university role often involves multiple stages and stakeholders. A strong portfolio that clearly articulates the design process and demonstrates relevant skills is paramount. Preparing to discuss ADA compliance and university branding is critical.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite (Essential):

  • Adobe Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.
  • Adobe InDesign: For layout and design of print materials (brochures, flyers, reports) and interactive PDFs. Expertise in CMYK color models and pre-press preparation is expected.
  • Adobe Illustrator: For creating vector graphics, logos, icons, and illustrations.

• Photography Equipment: Professional photography cameras, lenses, lighting, and editing software (likely Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop for post-processing).

• Web Design Tools (Preferred): Experience with tools like Adobe XD or Figma for UI/UX design and prototyping is beneficial, especially for digital assets.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a direct analytics role, understanding how design impacts engagement metrics (e.g., social media engagement, website click-through rates) is advantageous. Familiarity with web analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics) could be a plus for understanding digital asset performance. CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM or automation tools are specified for this role, but understanding how marketing materials created are distributed or used within a CRM or marketing automation platform could provide context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core tools are definitively within the Adobe Creative Suite. Candidates should be ready to demonstrate proficiency not just in using the software, but in applying it strategically for marketing and communication purposes within an institutional framework.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Education: A commitment to supporting the mission of the College of Education through high-quality design and communication.

• Collaboration and Teamwork: Working effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders to achieve common goals.

• Innovation and Continuous Improvement: Staying abreast of design trends and technologies to enhance the college's visual presence.

• Accessibility and Inclusivity: Ensuring all materials are accessible to a wide range of users, reflecting university values.

• Professionalism and Integrity: Upholding high standards in work ethic, communication, and representation of the university.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires close collaboration with communications, operations, and academic program staff, necessitating strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• Feedback Culture: An environment where constructive feedback is given and received to improve design quality and project outcomes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Opportunities to share design best practices, emerging trends, and technical tips with colleagues, including junior designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is likely to be professional, collaborative, and mission-driven, typical of a large academic institution. Emphasis will be placed on supporting educational goals and upholding university standards.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Multiple Stakeholders: Managing design requests from various departments and individuals within the College of Education, each with potentially different priorities and visions.

• Adhering to Strict Branding Guidelines: Consistently applying complex university and college-specific branding to ensure institutional coherence while still producing creative and engaging designs.

• Technical Skill Gaps: Keeping pace with rapidly evolving design software and trends, and potentially needing to quickly learn new tools or techniques (e.g., motion graphics, advanced web design).

• Photography Demands: Capturing high-quality event and portrait photography under potentially varied lighting conditions and time constraints.

• Temporary Contract Limitations: The temporary nature of the role may present challenges related to long-term project ownership or job security, requiring adaptability and a focus on immediate impact.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Formal Training: Access to university-provided training or workshops on software, design principles, or project management.

• Industry Best Practices: Learning through research, conferences (if applicable), and collaboration with experienced professionals within UF.

• Portfolio Enhancement: The diverse projects undertaken will significantly enrich the candidate's professional portfolio.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from senior colleagues and provide mentorship to junior/student designers.

• Networking: Building professional connections within the university and potentially within the broader higher education design community.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge will be navigating the complexities of a large university's operational and branding requirements while delivering creative solutions. The temporary status is a key factor and requires a candidate focused on making an immediate impact and leveraging the experience for future growth.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a marketing campaign for an academic program. How would you ensure it aligns with university branding and accessibility standards?"

• "How do you handle conflicting feedback from multiple stakeholders on a design project? Provide an example."

• "You're asked to create a series of social media graphics for a new educational initiative. What steps would you take from brief to final delivery?"

• "How do you stay updated on the latest design trends and technologies, and how have you incorporated them into your work?"

• "Describe a time you had to photograph an event with challenging lighting or time constraints. What was your approach and outcome?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for the University of Florida's College of Education specifically?"

• "How do you see your design skills contributing to our educational mission?"

• "How do you approach collaboration with non-designers (e.g., marketing managers, academics)?"

• "What are your thoughts on ADA compliance in design, and how do you ensure it?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• The "STAR" Method for Case Studies: For each project, structure your explanation using Situation, Task, Action, and Result.

• Highlight Process, Not Just Polish: Show your wireframes, sketches, or early concepts to illustrate your thinking.

• Quantify Results: If possible, share metrics or positive feedback received on your designs.

• Address Requirements Directly: Explicitly mention how you addressed branding guidelines, accessibility, and client objectives in your projects.

• Q&A Readiness: Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your design choices and technical execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating an understanding of higher education marketing, strong design process, client management, and technical proficiency with Adobe Suite and photography. Be ready to articulate your process and problem-solving skills.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible (e.g., link on resume or cover letter) and highlights projects most relevant to marketing in an academic setting, including print, digital, and branding examples.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to include keywords from the job description, such as "Adobe Creative Suite," "Photoshop," "InDesign," "Illustrator," "Photography," "Branding," "ADA Compliance," and "Marketing Materials." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Cover Letter Crafting: Write a compelling cover letter that expresses your interest in the University of Florida and the College of Education, explains how your skills align with the role's requirements, and briefly touches upon your understanding of higher education marketing and design challenges.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with the University of Florida's overall brand and the specific mission and programs of the College of Education. This will help you tailor your application and prepare for interview questions.

⚠️ 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.

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