Graphic Designer, School of Architecture

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer, School of Architecture

Company: University of Texas at Austin

Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS, Austin, TX

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Design / Marketing Operations

Date Posted: May 20, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (Eligible for occasional remote work)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is critical for maintaining and enhancing the visual identity and brand consistency of the UT Austin School of Architecture across all print and digital touchpoints.

• The Graphic Designer will execute a wide range of design projects, from branding and publications to social media graphics and event collateral, requiring strong conceptualization and execution skills.

• A key aspect of this position involves managing the end-to-end production process for design assets, including print vendor coordination and quality assurance.

• The role also encompasses photography and asset management, requiring the ability to document events and curate visual content aligned with the school's brand guidelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Graphic Designer," the responsibilities, particularly around managing visual identity, collaborating with internal stakeholders for marketing collateral, and supporting web/social media updates, indicate a strong alignment with Marketing Operations functions. The emphasis on producing print-ready files, managing vendor quotes, and ensuring brand consistency positions this role beyond pure creative execution into operational management of design assets.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute high-quality graphic design concepts for diverse print and digital applications, including branding, reports, publications, event graphics, signage, social media, digital ads, and promotional items.

• Serve as a key contributor to the School of Architecture's visual identity system, ensuring consistency and resolving design challenges across various communication channels.

• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders such as the Dean’s Office, Student Affairs, Development, and faculty to understand creative needs and deliver effective design solutions.

• Manage the entire print production lifecycle, including obtaining quotes from vendors, preparing print-ready files, overseeing press checks, and coordinating delivery of final materials.

• Act as the staff photographer and videographer, documenting public events and programs, and providing support for photo editing, resizing, and color correction to maintain visual content integrity.

• Develop and manage an inventory of marketing materials, supplies, equipment, photos, and design assets to ensure efficient access and organization.

• Support the maintenance and content updates of the School of Architecture’s web and social media pages, creating relevant graphics and improving navigation in coordination with the Communications Coordinator.

• Assist with various administrative tasks within the Dean's Office as needed, contributing to a positive and collegial work environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities clearly outline a blend of creative design and operational management. The inclusion of "Serve as graphic designer, art director and production manager" highlights the operational oversight required. Managing printing and production processes, developing and managing an inventory of assets, and supporting web/social media updates all fall under operational functions that ensure the efficient and consistent delivery of design output.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Art, or a closely related design field.

• Master’s degree in Graphic Design or a related field is preferred.

Experience:

• A minimum of two years of professional production experience in graphic design is required.

• More than two years of experience is preferred.

• Professional experience on a marketing, communications, or design/production team is preferred.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in graphic design principles, including typography, color theory, composition, and layout.

• Strong conceptualization skills and comfort with the iterative design process.

• Proven ability to design and produce high-quality print and digital graphics, as evidenced by a portfolio.

• Advanced proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Up-to-date knowledge of current industry software and design trends.

• Excellent communication, organizational, and attention-to-detail skills.

• Proven ability to multitask, manage multiple projects concurrently, and meet deadlines effectively.

• Ability to work collaboratively with internal teams and independently.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in print production, including posters, mailers, and promotional items.

• Demonstrated experience in social media strategy development and campaign execution.

• Proven experience in photography and/or videography.

• Experience with website design, including content updates and basic visual implementation.

• Knowledge of HTML.

• A demonstrated interest in architecture, planning, design, or fine arts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio demonstrating "high-quality print and digital graphics" and "advanced ability with basic office software and Adobe Creative Suite" are critical for operations roles that rely on standardized output. The emphasis on "proven ability to multitask, balance multiple projects concurrently, and meet deadlines" speaks directly to the operational efficiency expected. The preferred skills like "print production experience" and "social media strategy development" further suggest an operational focus beyond pure aesthetics.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A strong portfolio is essential, showcasing a breadth of work in both print and digital mediums that demonstrates high-quality execution and conceptual thinking.

• The portfolio should highlight projects that required problem-solving and adherence to specific brand guidelines or project briefs.

• Examples of work related to marketing collateral, publications, event graphics, and social media content are highly relevant.

Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly stated as a requirement, candidates are expected to articulate their design process clearly during interviews and in their portfolio, demonstrating an understanding of project workflows from concept to final delivery.

• This includes explaining how they manage client feedback, iterate on designs, and ensure final files are optimized for their intended medium (print vs. digital).

• Understanding of production workflows, including preparing files for print vendors and adhering to specifications, is crucial.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, the portfolio is not just about showcasing creative talent but also about demonstrating process. The requirement for "professional production experience" and the ability to "manage printing and production processes" implies that candidates should be prepared to discuss their workflow. The portfolio should illustrate not only aesthetic outcomes but also the efficiency and practicality of their design solutions, especially concerning print production and asset management.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Benefits: Employee premiums are covered at 100%, and family premiums at 50%.

• Voluntary Insurance Options: Vision, dental, life, and disability insurance.

• Generous Paid Time Off: Includes paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Retirement Plan: Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), a defined benefit plan with employer matching funds, for positions at least 20 hours per week and 135 days in length.

• Additional Retirement Programs: Voluntary 403(b) tax-sheltered annuity and a 457(b) deferred compensation program.

• Financial Savings: Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses.

• Professional Development: Robust free training access via LinkedIn Learning, plus professional conference opportunities.

• Tuition Assistance: Available for eligible employees.

• Employee Perks: Expansive employee discount program, including athletic tickets.

• Campus Amenities: Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums with a staff ID card.

• Transportation: Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin Capital Metro buses with a staff ID card.

Working Hours:

• Standard working hours are 40 hours per week.

• The position is eligible for flexible scheduling and may be eligible for occasional remote work, indicating a degree of flexibility.

• Occasional overtime work may be required during peak periods and events, and working weekends and evenings may be necessary.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fixed salary of $61,000 per year is specific. The extensive benefits package is a significant draw, particularly the 100% employee premium coverage for health insurance and the robust retirement plan. The mention of flexible scheduling and occasional remote work indicates a modern approach to work-life balance, which is appealing for operations roles that often require focused work periods.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education (Architecture, Planning, and Design)

Company Size: Large (University System) - The University of Texas at Austin is a major public research university.

Founded: 1883 (University of Texas at Austin)

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer reports to the School of Architecture, likely within a Communications or Marketing department, potentially aligned with the Dean's Office.

• Collaboration is expected with internal stakeholders across various departments, including Student Affairs, Development, and faculty committees.

• The role is part of a broader administrative staff within the School, contributing to a positive and collegial work environment.

Methodology:

• The School of Architecture is committed to diversity and creating a welcoming environment for all.

• Design work is expected to be executed with great attention to quality and detail, adhering to established brand identity systems.

• Collaboration is a key methodology, working with partners to develop cohesive visual identity systems and resolve design challenges.

• The role involves managing production processes, implying a structured approach to project execution and vendor management.

Company Website: https://soa.utexas.edu/

📝 Enhancement Note: The context of a large, established university like UT Austin implies a structured environment with established processes and a strong emphasis on brand guidelines. The School of Architecture's specific focus means the design work will be within a niche, potentially requiring an understanding or interest in architecture and design principles. The commitment to diversity and inclusion is a core cultural value.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an individual contributor with specialized design and production responsibilities. It's a mid-level role requiring foundational experience and the ability to work independently.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer likely reports to a Communications Manager, Marketing Director, or potentially directly to a member of the Dean's Office staff overseeing communications.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts the School of Architecture's external perception, internal communication effectiveness, and brand recognition. Consistent and high-quality visual materials are crucial for student recruitment, donor engagement, event promotion, and overall institutional branding, all of which have operational implications for the school's functioning and success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific design areas (e.g., motion graphics, advanced web design, photography/videography) or production management.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Collaboration with various departments offers insight into different operational facets of the university and school.

• Leadership Potential: With significant experience, potential to move into a Senior Graphic Designer role, Art Director, or manage design projects more strategically.

• Industry Engagement: Professional conference opportunities and LinkedIn Learning access support continuous learning and staying current with design and marketing trends.

• Higher Education Career Path: Potential to advance within the university system, leveraging experience gained at the School of Architecture.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations professionals, growth often involves mastering processes, improving efficiency, and taking on more strategic project management. This role offers a path to deepen expertise in the operational aspects of design production and brand management within a large institution.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based on the UT MAIN CAMPUS, indicating a dynamic university setting. The position is described as eligible for "flexible scheduling and may be eligible for occasional remote work," suggesting a hybrid work environment.

Office Location(s): UT MAIN CAMPUS, Austin, TX.

Workspace Context:

• The role involves working around standard office conditions, with repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.

• The environment is likely collaborative, requiring interaction with internal stakeholders and potentially vendors.

• Access to necessary design software and technology is implied, given the role's requirements.

Work Schedule:

• The standard schedule is 40 hours per week, but flexibility is offered.

• Occasional overtime, weekend, and evening work may be required, particularly during peak periods and events, which is common in university settings for event promotion and deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role, combined with flexible scheduling, offers a balance attractive to operations professionals who value autonomy and focused work periods, while still requiring on-campus presence for collaboration and event support.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely involves a review of applications, focusing on resume, portfolio, and letter of interest to assess qualifications and fit.

• Portfolio Review: A critical stage where candidates present their portfolio. Expect to discuss specific projects, your design process, how you managed production, and how your work aligned with project goals and brand guidelines.

• Skills Assessment: May include technical questions about Adobe Creative Suite, design principles, and production management.

• Behavioral/Situational Interviews: Questions about collaboration, problem-solving, time management, and how you handle feedback and deadlines.

• On-Campus Interview: Likely to meet with key stakeholders, including potential supervisors and collaborators, to assess cultural fit and team dynamics.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 strong projects that best represent your skills in print, digital, branding, and ideally, production management or event graphics.

• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly explain the brief, your conceptual approach, design iterations, final output, and any challenges overcome (especially production-related).

• Highlight Operational Aspects: If possible, include examples demonstrating efficiency, problem-solving in production, or successful vendor coordination.

• Quantify Impact: If you have metrics on campaign success or project efficiency, include them.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate (PDF or a clean website), and free of errors.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss how you would approach designing for a specific architectural event or creating a visual campaign for a new program.

• Think about how you would ensure brand consistency across multiple platforms and manage multiple design requests simultaneously.

• Consider how you would handle feedback from diverse stakeholders with varying levels of design understanding.

• Review the UT Austin School of Architecture's current branding and recent communications to understand their visual style and messaging.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations-focused roles, interviewers will look beyond aesthetics to understand your process, efficiency, and ability to deliver consistently. Be ready to articulate how you manage workflows, interact with vendors, and ensure brand integrity operationally.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential. Proficiency expected in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

• Microsoft Office Suite / Google Workspace: For general office tasks, presentations, and collaboration.

• Project Management Tools: While not specified, experience with any project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello, Monday.com) for tracking design requests and deadlines would be beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics (e.g., Google Analytics): Basic understanding may be helpful for understanding digital asset performance, especially if supporting web updates.

• Social Media Analytics: Familiarity with native analytics on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn.

CRM & Automation:

• CMS (Content Management System): Experience with website content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Drupal) is preferred for supporting web updates.

• Email Marketing Platforms: Familiarity with platforms like Mailchimp or Constant Contact could be useful if designing email campaigns.

• Digital Asset Management (DAM) Systems: Experience with DAM systems for organizing and retrieving visual assets would be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "Advanced ability with basic office software and Adobe Creative Suite" is key. For an operations-focused design role, proficiency in these tools is foundational. Preferred skills like HTML and experience with web design/CMS suggest a need to understand how design integrates with digital platforms.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Quality and Detail: A strong emphasis on producing high-quality work with meticulous attention to detail is paramount.

• Collaboration: Working effectively with diverse internal stakeholders, faculty, and staff is crucial for successful project outcomes.

• Brand Consistency: Upholding and enhancing the visual identity of the School of Architecture across all communications.

• Efficiency: Managing multiple projects, meeting deadlines, and optimizing production processes.

• Adaptability: Willingness to assist with administrative tasks and contribute to a positive work environment.

Collaboration Style:

• The role requires a collaborative approach, working closely with internal partners to develop creative solutions and fulfill design requests.

• This involves clear communication, active listening, and the ability to translate diverse needs into effective visual designs.

• Expect to provide and receive constructive feedback within a team setting.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "contributes to a positive and collegial work environment" suggests that teamwork and interpersonal skills are as important as technical design abilities. The hybrid work arrangement also implies a need for strong communication to maintain collaboration across different work locations.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Balancing varied design requests and feedback from different departments and individuals within the university.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring all visual output adheres to the School of Architecture's brand guidelines while still allowing for creative expression.

• Production Deadlines: Meeting tight deadlines for events, publications, and marketing campaigns, especially during peak academic periods.

• Technical Skill Evolution: Keeping up-to-date with rapidly evolving design software, digital trends, and production technologies.

• Balancing Creative and Operational Tasks: Effectively switching between creative design work and production management, administrative duties, and photography.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Professional Conferences: Opportunities to attend industry conferences for graphic design, higher education marketing, or digital media.

• LinkedIn Learning: Access to a vast library of online courses for skill enhancement in design, software, marketing, and project management.

• Skill Specialization: Potential to develop deeper expertise in areas like architectural visualization, motion graphics, or advanced photography.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from experienced professionals within the university's communications and marketing teams.

• Cross-Training: Exposure to other roles within the communications department can broaden understanding of marketing operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations roles, understanding and mitigating challenges often involves process improvement and strategic planning. The growth opportunities here focus on enhancing both creative and operational skill sets relevant to marketing and design management within an academic context.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a visual identity for a new program or event within an academic institution." (Focus on research, concept development, stakeholder input, and final implementation.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across various print and digital platforms, especially when working with multiple clients or departments?" (Highlight your understanding of brand guidelines, asset management, and internal communication.)

• "Walk me through a challenging print production project you managed. What were the challenges, and how did you resolve them to ensure a successful outcome?" (Emphasize problem-solving, vendor management, and attention to detail.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for the School of Architecture at UT Austin specifically?" (Show you've researched the school, its programs, and its mission.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with individuals who may have different levels of design understanding or specific, sometimes challenging, creative visions?" (Focus on communication, diplomacy, and finding common ground.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Presentation: Begin with a brief overview of your design philosophy and process. Then, present 3-4 key projects, dedicating a few slides per project.

• Tell a Story: For each project, explain the objective, your role, the challenges, your creative solution, the execution process (especially print production or digital implementation), and the outcome.

• Highlight Operational Aspects: Explicitly point out how you managed timelines, budgets (if applicable), vendor communication, or resolved production issues.

• Quantify Results: If possible, share any metrics or feedback that demonstrate the success of your design work.

• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your software proficiency, design choices, and ability to work under pressure.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, interviewers will be assessing not only your design skills but also your operational capabilities – your ability to manage projects, interact with vendors, and deliver consistent, high-quality results within an institutional framework.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that showcase your print and digital design skills, with a focus on those demonstrating production management, branding, or event graphics. Ensure it's organized and easily accessible (PDF or link).

• Tailor Your Resume and Letter of Interest: Highlight your experience with Adobe Creative Suite, print production, and any relevant experience in higher education or design/marketing teams. Your letter of interest should articulate your passion for design within an academic/architectural context and your understanding of the role's operational demands.

• Prepare to Discuss Your Process: Be ready to articulate your design workflow, from concept to final delivery, and specifically how you manage production and collaborate with stakeholders.

• Research the School of Architecture: Familiarize yourself with their current visual identity, recent publications, and overall mission to demonstrate genuine interest and preparedness.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions to provide a comprehensive overview. All details, particularly regarding specific responsibilities, team dynamics, and interview processes, should be verified directly with the hiring organization during the application and interview stages.