Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: NAIT Students' Association

Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Job Type: Full Time Permanent

Category: Graphic Design

Date Posted: 2025-06-07T00:00:00

Experience Level: Minimum 2 years professional experience

Remote Status: Hybrid (primarily on-site with occasional flexibility)

🎨 Role Summary

• Design and produce compelling visual communication materials for both print and digital platforms, ensuring brand consistency and high-quality execution.
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders to understand design requirements, support concept development, and translate needs into effective visual solutions.
• Manage multiple design projects concurrently, from initial concept through to final production, adhering to established timelines and utilizing project management tools.
• Prepare production-ready files for various outputs, including print and digital formats, with meticulous attention to detail and quality control.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

• Design a wide range of print-ready and digital materials, including posters, brochures, social media graphics, website assets, and potentially large-format environmental graphics.
• Engage with internal clients across various NAITSA departments to gather design requirements, present concepts, and iterate based on feedback to achieve project goals.
• Utilize project management tools to create and maintain project timelines, track progress, and manage workflow efficiently for all design tasks.
• Apply strong design principles, including layout, typography, and color theory, to ensure aesthetically pleasing and effective visual communication outputs.
• Prepare accurate, high-resolution production files using Adobe Creative Suite, performing thorough pre-press checks and quality assurance.
• Balance creative development with production demands, managing competing priorities and adapting to varying workloads, especially during peak periods for student events and communications.
• Maintain a well-organized digital archive of all design projects, assets, and templates for easy access and future use.
• Continuously learn and apply new design trends, software features, and production techniques to enhance skills and improve workflow efficiency.
• Support broader communications initiatives, potentially including assisting with photo shoots, contributing to web projects, and actively participating in team discussions.
• Develop and maintain internal reference materials and documentation for design standards, production workflows, and brand guidelines.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Post-secondary diploma or degree in Graphic Communications, Design, or a closely related creative field. This foundational education provides a strong understanding of design principles, visual language, and production processes essential for the role.

Experience: A minimum of 2 years of professional graphic design experience is required. This experience should be demonstrated through a strong portfolio showcasing a diverse range of design projects, including both print and digital work. Experience with large-format or environmental graphics is a valuable asset, indicating familiarity with different production considerations.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) is essential, as these are the primary tools for design and production in this role.
• Experience working in a MacOS environment is required, indicating the expected operating system for design tasks.
• Impeccable attention to detail is crucial for ensuring accuracy in design execution and preparing production-ready files.
• Strong understanding of typography, color theory, and layout principles forms the fundamental basis for creating effective and visually appealing designs.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills are necessary for working effectively with internal clients and the communications team.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and thrive in a dynamic, cyclical environment with varying workloads and tight deadlines.
• Adaptability and the ability to perform effectively under pressure, managing shifting priorities to support organizational needs.
• Strong working knowledge of print production processes, including preparing files for commercial printing and coordinating with print vendors.
• Familiarity with project management principles and tools (such as Trello or Asana) for organizing and tracking design workflows.
• Knowledge of brand identity principles and experience applying brand standards across various design materials.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with large-format design or environmental graphics.
• Photography skills are considered an asset, adding versatility to the role and potentially supporting internal communications projects.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Your portfolio should showcase a diverse range of graphic design projects, including examples of both print and digital work. Highlight projects that demonstrate your proficiency in layout, typography, color use, and attention to detail.
• Include examples that demonstrate your ability to adhere to brand standards and create designs that align with specific project goals.
• If you have experience with large-format or environmental graphics, ensure these are prominently featured as they are considered an asset for this role.
• Present your work clearly, providing context for each project, including the objective, your role, and the final outcome.

Process Documentation:

• While the job description doesn't explicitly require detailed process documentation, showcasing your workflow for a few key projects can be beneficial.
• Briefly explain your approach from understanding the client's needs to concept development, iteration, and final production.
• Highlight your collaboration process with stakeholders and how you incorporate feedback into your designs.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $53,000 – $57,000 CAD per year.

Benefits:

• Paid time off package including Vacation, Personal Choice Days, 3 Summer Fridays, Fall Break, and two-weeks off for December Break, providing significant time off throughout the year.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits, including Health, Dental, Vision, and Drug coverage.
• Healthcare Spending Account and Personal Wellness Spending Account, offering flexibility for various health and wellness expenses.
• Paid parking or transit reimbursement, easing the commute for employees.
• Opportunities to participate in fun staff events and work in a vibrant post-secondary campus environment.
• The NAITSA office is dog-friendly, contributing to a unique and relaxed work atmosphere.

Working Hours: Standard office hours, Monday to Friday, totaling 37.5 hours per week. Occasional flexibility is required to accommodate tight deadlines or peak periods, which is typical for communications and design roles supporting events and ongoing initiatives.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Non-profit Organization, specifically within the Education sector. NAITSA exists to support students at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), focusing on services, representation, and leadership development.

Company Size: As a non-profit organization supporting a large student body, NAITSA likely has a moderate staff size. LinkedIn data indicates 11-50 employees for the organization, suggesting a close-knit team environment where individuals wear multiple hats and collaboration is key.

Founded: 1964. With a long history dating back to 1964, NAITSA has a well-established presence and mission focused on enhancing the student experience at NAIT.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer reports to the Communications Director, indicating a hierarchical structure within the Communications team.
• The role involves close collaboration with internal clients from various NAITSA departments, suggesting a matrix-like collaboration model where the design function supports the broader organizational goals.
• Working both independently and as part of a collaborative team is emphasized, highlighting the need for strong individual contribution within a supportive team environment.

Methodology:

• The design process is driven by internal client needs and project goals, moving from understanding requirements to concept development, design execution, and production.
• Emphasis on managing multiple projects simultaneously suggests a workflow that requires efficient task management and prioritization.
• Adherence to brand standards is a key aspect, implying the use of established design guidelines and templates.

Company Website: https://naitsa.ca

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: This role appears to be an intermediate-level Graphic Designer position, requiring a minimum of 2 years of professional experience. The responsibilities involve managing projects from concept to completion and collaborating with internal stakeholders, which aligns with the expectations of a designer with some prior experience.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports directly to the Communications Director. This reporting line suggests mentorship and guidance from a senior communications professional and potential opportunities to contribute to broader communication strategies.

Design Impact: Design plays a crucial role in NAITSA's mission by visually communicating services, events, and initiatives to the student body. The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts student engagement, awareness of services, and the overall perception of the association.

Growth Opportunities:

• Further developing expertise in specific design areas, such as large-format graphics or digital design for web and social media.
• Gaining experience in project management and client relationship management within a non-profit setting.
• Potential opportunities to mentor junior staff or interns as the team grows.
• Contributing to the evolution of NAITSA's brand identity and visual guidelines.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: Primarily an on-site office environment with occasional flexibility for hybrid work. The main work location is the NAITSA office on the NAIT campus.

Office Location(s): NAITSA, Room O108, 11762 106 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5G 3H4. This location is on the NAIT campus, providing proximity to the student body and campus activities.

Design Workspace Context:

• The role is primarily based at a computer workstation, typical for a Graphic Designer.
• The office environment is described as dog-friendly, contributing to a potentially relaxed and informal atmosphere.
• Working on a post-secondary campus offers a vibrant and dynamic setting with opportunities for interaction with students and participation in campus events.

Work Schedule: Standard Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week. The requirement for occasional flexibility during peak periods or for special projects means that while the core schedule is consistent, there may be times when extended hours are necessary to meet deadlines.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

• The initial step involves submitting your application online, including your resume, cover letter, and portfolio.
• Applications will be reviewed starting June 18, 2025. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
• The interview process will likely include a review and discussion of your portfolio, focusing on your design process, technical skills, and ability to meet project objectives.
• Expect questions related to your experience with print production, working with brand standards, managing multiple projects, and collaborating with internal clients.
• You may be asked to discuss specific projects from your portfolio in detail, explaining your design decisions and problem-solving approach.
• The interview process will also assess your communication skills, adaptability, and cultural fit within the NAITSA team and the campus environment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Ensure your portfolio is well-organized and easy to navigate, whether it's a PDF or an online link.
• Clearly label each project with the project title, your role, and a brief description of the objective and outcome.
• Highlight projects that demonstrate your proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
• Include examples of both print and digital design work, showcasing your versatility.
• If you have relevant large-format or environmental graphic design experience, make sure these projects are prominent.
• Consider including a brief case study for one or two key projects to walk through your design process, from understanding the brief to final execution.
• Tailor your portfolio presentation to highlight projects that align with the types of materials NAITSA produces (e.g., event posters, brochures, social media graphics).

Challenge Preparation:

• While a formal design challenge is not explicitly mentioned, be prepared to discuss hypothetical design scenarios or how you would approach a specific design problem relevant to NAITSA's needs during the interview.
• Review NAITSA's existing branding and visual style to demonstrate your understanding and interest in their communication efforts.
• Be ready to discuss your process for receiving feedback and iterating on designs.

ATS Keywords: Graphic Design, Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Print Design, Digital Design, Layout, Typography, Color Theory, Brand Identity, Project Management, Communications, Collaboration, Attention to Detail, Production Design, MacOS, Large Format Graphics, Environmental Graphics, Non-profit, Education, Student Services, Marketing Design, Visual Communication, Design Workflow, File Preparation, Quality Control, Creative Professional, Team Player, Adaptability, Time Management, Client Collaboration, Trello, Asana, Photography (asset), Portfolio, Case Study, Visual Assets, Design Principles, Stakeholder Communication, Design Iteration, Visual Storytelling.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign): Essential tools for creating and editing raster graphics, vector graphics, and page layouts for both print and digital outputs. Proficiency at a professional level is required.
• MacOS Environment: The required operating system for design work, implying familiarity with Mac-specific workflows and software.

Collaboration & Handoff:

• Project Management Tools (e.g., Trello, Asana): Familiarity with tools for organizing tasks, managing timelines, and collaborating on project workflows is expected.
• Email and potentially other communication platforms for collaborating with internal clients and the communications team.

Research & Testing:

• While not explicitly mentioned, basic familiarity with methods for gathering design requirements and incorporating feedback is implied through client collaboration.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

• Creating compelling visual materials that effectively communicate with and engage the student population at NAIT.
• Maintaining brand consistency across all design outputs to strengthen NAITSA's identity.
• Balancing creative development with practical production demands and project timelines.
• Commitment to continuous learning and staying current with design trends and tools.

Collaboration Style:

• Collaborative with internal clients to understand their needs and translate them into visual designs.
• Works closely with the Communications Director and potentially other members of the communications team.
• Ability to work both independently on specific tasks and as part of a larger team on integrated campaigns.
• Openness to feedback and iteration throughout the design process.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

• Managing a diverse range of design requests from multiple internal clients with varying needs and deadlines.
• Adapting to a cyclical workload with peak periods requiring efficient time management and the ability to perform under pressure.
• Ensuring brand consistency and high-quality execution across numerous projects and formats (print, digital, potentially large-format).
• Staying current with evolving design trends and software while maintaining established workflows and brand standards.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Gaining extensive experience in a fast-paced, production-oriented design role within a non-profit setting.
• Developing strong project management and client communication skills through hands-on experience.
• Opportunity to work on a variety of design projects, expanding your portfolio and technical expertise.
• Potential for learning about marketing and communications strategies within an educational institution context.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

• Be prepared to walk through your design process from receiving a brief to delivering final files, using examples from your portfolio.
• Discuss how you gather requirements from clients and manage their expectations throughout a project.
• Explain your approach to incorporating feedback and iterating on designs.
• Describe your experience with preparing files for print production, including pre-press checks and coordinating with vendors.
• Be ready to discuss a time you faced a design challenge and how you overcame it.

Company Culture Questions:

• Research NAITSA's mission, values, and recent initiatives to demonstrate your understanding of the organization.
• Be prepared to discuss why you are interested in working for a student association and supporting the student experience.
• Highlight your experience working collaboratively in a team environment and interacting with various stakeholders.
• Discuss your ability to adapt to changing priorities and work effectively in a dynamic environment.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select 4-6 key projects that best showcase your skills and experience relevant to this role.
• For each project, briefly explain the objective, your role, and the tools you used.
• Focus on projects that demonstrate your proficiency in print and digital design, brand adherence, and attention to detail.
• If possible, include a project where you managed the process from concept to production or collaborated closely with a client.
• Be prepared to discuss your design decisions and the rationale behind your choices.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

• Submit your application through this link.
• Prepare a comprehensive resume highlighting your relevant graphic design experience, skills, and education.
• Write a compelling cover letter addressed to Jenny Lau, Communications Director, clearly outlining how your qualifications and experience align with the requirements of the role and demonstrating your interest in working for NAITSA.
• Curate a portfolio of work samples that showcase your best graphic design work, including both print and digital examples. Ensure the portfolio is easily accessible (PDF or online link).
• Double-check that your application includes all required documents (resume, cover letter, and portfolio) in PDF format, as applications without these will not be considered.