Graphic Designer, Photographer & Brand Standards Manager-1593

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer, Photographer & Brand Standards Manager

Company: Oklahoma State University

Location: Langston, Oklahoma, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing & Communications Operations

Date Posted: April 30, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Responsible for the end-to-end creation of high-impact graphic design projects, from conceptualization to final production, ensuring alignment with university branding.

• Captures professional-quality photographic images that visually represent the university's brand, mission, and traditions across various platforms.

• Manages and enforces brand consistency across all university communications, ensuring adherence to established brand guidelines and standards.

• Directs photo shoots, coordinates the printing of publications, and maintains the institution's comprehensive photo library and digital assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role blends creative execution with rigorous brand governance, requiring a candidate adept at both artistic output and strategic brand management within a higher education context. The operations aspect focuses on the systematic management of creative assets and brand integrity.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and produce dynamic and engaging visual assets for both print and digital platforms, including brochures, flyers, social media graphics, web banners, and presentations.

• Execute professional photography sessions, including directing subjects, setting up lighting, and capturing high-quality images that align with the university's visual identity and storytelling objectives.

• Develop, maintain, and enforce comprehensive brand guidelines, ensuring all university communications and marketing materials adhere to established standards for logo usage, color palettes, typography, and imagery.

• Manage the institution's photo library, organizing, tagging, and archiving images for easy retrieval and use by various departments, while ensuring proper licensing and usage rights.

• Oversee the publication process from initial design through to final printing, liaising with external vendors and internal stakeholders to ensure timely delivery and quality control.

• Collaborate with the Office of Public Relations and other university departments to understand their creative needs and provide design and photographic solutions that support their objectives.

• Potentially coordinate and provide direction to part-time staff or student workers involved in design and production tasks, ensuring workflow efficiency and quality output.

• Ensure all designed materials comply with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessibility requirements for digital and print content.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a multi-faceted role that requires strong project management for publication coordination and asset management, alongside creative skills. The emphasis on brand standards and ADA compliance underscores the operational rigor expected.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Multimedia Design, or a closely related field. Degree must be conferred on or before the agreed-upon start date.

Experience: Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience as a graphic designer, with a demonstrated track record in producing both print and digital materials.

Required Skills:

• Extensive proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator, for design and image manipulation.

• Proven experience in managing publications from concept development through to final print production, including pre-press preparation.

• Professional-level photography skills, including proficiency with camera equipment, lighting, and post-production editing.

• In-depth knowledge of graphic design principles, including typography, layout techniques, color theory, and visual hierarchy.

• Strong understanding of brand identity development and the ability to consistently apply brand standards across diverse media.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, enabling effective collaboration with diverse stakeholders and clear articulation of creative concepts.

Preferred Skills:

• Prior working experience within a university or higher education setting, understanding the unique communication needs and culture.

• Demonstrated talent as a designer, balancing functional requirements with aesthetic appeal to achieve effective communication within established brand frameworks.

• Familiarity with marketing campaigns and an understanding of the brand and traditions specific to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

• Strong organizational and planning skills to effectively manage asset libraries, project timelines, and vendor relationships.

• Knowledge of ADA requirements for accessibility in design and digital content.

Certifications: Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) is preferred.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of technical creative skills and practical experience in managing design workflows and brand assets within an institutional setting. The explicit mention of ADA compliance points to the operational necessity of inclusive design practices.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of five years of professional design work, demonstrating a wide range of print and digital projects.

• Specific examples of publications designed and produced, illustrating the full lifecycle from concept to print-ready files.

• High-quality photographic work that highlights expertise in capturing diverse subjects and adhering to specific brand aesthetics.

• Case studies or examples demonstrating the application and management of brand standards, showing how consistency was maintained across multiple projects or platforms.

Process Documentation:

• The portfolio should implicitly demonstrate an understanding of workflow management for design and photography projects, including planning, execution, and delivery phases.

• Visual evidence of how brand guidelines were applied and enforced in practical design scenarios.

• Examples that suggest an ability to manage and organize digital assets, such as a well-curated photo library or organized project files.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role of this nature, a robust portfolio is crucial. It serves as tangible proof of the candidate's ability to execute creative tasks while adhering to operational constraints like brand consistency and project deadlines. The emphasis should be on demonstrating process and a systematic approach to creative production.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $48,000 - $54,000 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage options.

• Retirement Plan: Participation in a state retirement system with employer contributions.

• Paid Time Off: Generous accrual of vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, and certifications (e.g., Adobe Certified Professional).

• Tuition Assistance: Potential for tuition waivers or discounts for employees and dependents.

• Work-Life Balance: Standard Monday-Friday work schedule with flexibility for occasional evening/weekend events.

Working Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, with occasional evening and weekend hours required for special projects and university events. This totals an expected 40-hour work week, with overtime potential compensated as per university policy for salaried exempt employees.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided for a full-time, on-site position in Langston, Oklahoma. This range is considered competitive for a role requiring a blend of specialized creative skills and brand management experience in a university setting within that region. Benefits are typical for public university employment in the US.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education. Oklahoma State University is a public land-grant research university committed to excellence in teaching, research, and outreach. Its operations are geared towards supporting student success, academic advancement, and community engagement.

Company Size: Large institution with multiple campuses and a significant student and staff population. This implies a structured environment with established processes and a wide array of internal stakeholders.

Founded: Oklahoma State University was founded in 1890. This long history suggests a stable organization with deeply rooted traditions and a strong institutional identity, which is key for brand management.

Team Structure:

• This position is a valued member of the Office of Public Relations.

• The team likely comprises professionals in communications, marketing, media relations, and potentially other creative roles.

• Collaboration is expected across various university departments located across four sites in Oklahoma.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on data-driven decision-making, even within creative fields, to ensure marketing and communication efforts are effective and align with university goals.

• Workflow optimization is key, especially in managing multiple requests from various departments and ensuring brand consistency.

• Strategic planning is integral to developing campaigns and assets that support the university's mission and recruitment efforts.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Operating within a large university means navigating established protocols and serving a broad range of internal clients. The "Office of Public Relations" context suggests a focus on institutional branding, external communications, and supporting academic and administrative goals.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-to-senior level individual contributor, requiring significant specialized experience. It represents a key operational function within the Public Relations office, directly impacting the university's external image and internal communication consistency.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer, Photographer, and Brand Standards Manager will report to a leadership position within the Office of Public Relations, such as a Director or Senior Manager. This reporting line will provide strategic direction and performance oversight.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on the university's brand perception, marketing effectiveness, and overall institutional image. By ensuring consistent, high-quality visual communications and photography, it supports recruitment efforts, donor relations, alumni engagement, and public awareness of the university's achievements and mission.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in advanced photography techniques, motion graphics, or specific digital design platforms.

• Leadership Development: Potential to mentor student workers or junior designers, leading small creative projects, and contributing to strategic brand initiatives.

• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Gain exposure to various university departments, understanding their unique communication needs and contributing to broader institutional campaigns.

• Professional Certifications: Pursue advanced Adobe certifications or specialized training in brand management or higher education marketing.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a stable career path within a large institution. Growth is likely to come from increased responsibility in managing larger projects, taking on more strategic brand input, and potentially leading smaller teams or initiatives, rather than rapid vertical advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This position is based on-site at the Langston campus, within the Office of Public Relations. It is expected to be a professional office environment designed for creative work, likely featuring dedicated workstations, photo studios, and collaborative spaces.

Office Location(s): Langston, Oklahoma. The university serves departments across four locations in the state, suggesting potential for occasional travel or remote collaboration with other campuses.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role requires close collaboration with colleagues within the Public Relations office and with various university departments, fostering a team-oriented atmosphere.

• Tools & Technology: Access to professional-grade design software (Adobe Creative Suite), photography equipment, and potentially a dedicated photo studio.

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with communications specialists, marketing professionals, and university administrators to discuss project requirements and brand alignment.

Work Schedule: The standard work week is Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. However, occasional evening and weekend work is anticipated for specific projects, events, and to meet project deadlines, reflecting the demands of a dynamic university communications environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement and standard office hours, with occasional flexibility, are typical for institutional roles. The workspace is designed to support creative output, and the collaborative nature underscores the importance of interpersonal skills in this role.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume, cover letter, and professional references to assess qualifications and experience.

• Portfolio Review: A critical stage where candidates present their portfolio, demonstrating design and photography skills, brand management capabilities, and project execution. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their creative process, problem-solving approaches, and how they managed brand standards.

• Skills Assessment/Challenge: Potentially a practical design or photography challenge, or a case study presentation focusing on how they would approach a specific brand-related task or solve a design problem for the university.

• Interview with Hiring Team: Discussions with the hiring manager (Nika Wilson) and potentially other members of the Public Relations office to assess communication skills, cultural fit, and understanding of higher education marketing.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best represent the required skills: strong print and digital design, professional photography, and consistent brand application.

• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly explain the brief, your creative process, the challenges faced, and the final outcome. Highlight how you ensured brand consistency and met project objectives.

• Highlight Brand Standards: Include examples where you specifically applied or enforced brand guidelines. Discuss your understanding of brand integrity.

• Prepare for Questions: Be ready to discuss your experience with Adobe Creative Suite, publication production, photography direction, and working within institutional environments.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the University Brand: Research Oklahoma State University's current branding, mission, and recent marketing campaigns.

• Anticipate Brand Standards Questions: Prepare to discuss how you would interpret and apply brand guidelines, especially in complex or ambiguous situations.

• Practice Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio and any case study responses clearly and concisely, focusing on the impact of your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily rely on the candidate's portfolio as a tangible representation of their capabilities. Preparation should focus on clearly articulating the thinking and process behind their creative work, especially concerning brand stewardship.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: InDesign (for publications, print/digital collateral), Photoshop (for image editing, manipulation, digital assets), Illustrator (for vector graphics, logos, icons).

• Professional Camera Equipment: DSLR or mirrorless cameras, various lenses, lighting kits (strobes, modifiers), tripods, and related accessories for high-quality photography.

• Digital Asset Management (DAM) System: While not explicitly stated, the management of a photo library implies familiarity with or ability to learn a DAM system for organizing, tagging, and retrieving assets.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics) to understand how digital assets perform, though direct responsibility for analytics may lie with other roles.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how creative assets are used in marketing automation workflows or CRM campaigns (e.g., email marketing, social media campaigns) would be beneficial.

• Experience with project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, or university-specific systems) for managing multiple design requests and deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite and professional photography tools is non-negotiable. The mention of "managing the institution's photo library" suggests a need for organizational skills and potentially experience with asset management systems, which are key operational components for creative departments.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Execution: A commitment to producing high-quality design and photographic work that meets professional standards and university expectations.

• Brand Stewardship: A deep respect for and dedication to maintaining the integrity and consistency of the Oklahoma State University brand across all platforms.

• Collaboration and Service: A willingness to work effectively with diverse university departments, understanding their needs and providing creative solutions that support institutional goals.

• Efficiency and Timeliness: An understanding of project management principles to deliver creative assets on time and within scope, managing multiple requests effectively.

• Innovation within Tradition: The ability to create fresh, impactful designs and imagery while respecting and upholding the university's established traditions and identity.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive Communication: Engaging with stakeholders early to understand project requirements and brand alignment.

• Feedback Integration: Openness to constructive criticism and the ability to iterate on designs based on feedback from the Public Relations team and other departments.

• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing creative insights and best practices to team discussions and potentially mentoring junior staff or student workers.

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Working closely with writers, web developers, and marketing specialists to ensure cohesive campaign execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely emphasizes professionalism, institutional pride, and a service-oriented approach to supporting the university's mission. A collaborative spirit and a strong sense of responsibility for the university's brand are paramount.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Brand Constraints: Staying innovative and producing engaging work while strictly adhering to university brand guidelines can be challenging.

• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Juggling requests from numerous departments, each with unique priorities and creative visions, requires strong project management and negotiation skills.

• Keeping Pace with Evolving Design Trends: Continuously learning and adapting to new design software, techniques, and digital media trends while maintaining brand consistency.

• High Volume of Work: The demands of a large university can lead to a high volume of projects, requiring efficient time management and prioritization to meet deadlines.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design & Photography Workshops: Access to training to enhance skills in specialized areas of graphic design or photography.

• Brand Management Seminars: Opportunities to attend workshops or conferences focused on brand strategy and higher education marketing.

• Mentorship: Learning from experienced professionals within the Office of Public Relations or engaging in mentorship programs.

• Exposure to Institutional Strategy: Gaining a deeper understanding of how creative output contributes to the university's overall strategic objectives, recruitment, and fundraising efforts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges revolve around managing creative output within institutional constraints and a high-volume environment. Growth opportunities are geared towards deepening expertise and understanding the strategic impact of creative work within higher education.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How do you approach balancing creative freedom with strict brand guidelines for an institution like Oklahoma State University?" (Focus on your process for interpreting and applying brand standards.)

• "Describe a time you had to manage multiple design projects with competing deadlines. How did you prioritize and ensure quality for each?" (Highlight your project management and time-efficiency strategies.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Oklahoma State University's brand and its position within higher education?" (Showcase your research and understanding of the institution.)

• "How do you see your role contributing to the university's overall mission and goals?" (Connect your skills to the broader institutional impact.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly articulate the objective, your role, the process, challenges, and the measurable impact or outcome.

• Emphasize Brand Stewardship: Specifically point out how you maintained brand consistency and adhered to guidelines in your examples.

• Showcase Technical Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your software usage and techniques, especially within Adobe Creative Suite and photography.

• Prepare for a Practical Exercise: If a design challenge is given, focus on a clear, well-reasoned approach that demonstrates your understanding of the brief and brand.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating both creative talent and a strong operational understanding of brand management, project execution, and stakeholder collaboration within a higher education context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer, Photographer & Brand Standards Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on careers.pageuppeople.com.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight the specific skills and experience mentioned in the job description, such as extensive Adobe Creative Suite proficiency, professional photography, brand standards management, and publication production. Use keywords from the job posting.

• Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Address your cover letter to Nika Wilson and clearly articulate why you are a strong fit for this role at Oklahoma State University. Emphasize your passion for higher education marketing and your ability to uphold institutional brand integrity.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is polished, well-organized, and showcases your best work relevant to print design, digital design, professional photography, and brand standards management. Be ready to discuss your process and outcomes for each piece.

• Research the University: Thoroughly research Oklahoma State University's mission, brand identity, current marketing initiatives, and public relations efforts to demonstrate your understanding and enthusiasm for the institution.

⚠️ 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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