Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: University of Texas at Austin

Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS, Austin, Texas, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Graphic Design

Date Posted: June 11, 2025

Experience Level: Entry-Level (1+ years)

Remote Status: On-site

🎨 Role Summary

• Develop compelling visual design solutions for print and digital platforms to promote Texas Global and the University of Texas at Austin.
• Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications team to conceptualize and produce a wide range of design assets supporting strategic initiatives.
• Ensure all visual communications maintain strong brand continuity and adhere to the University's visual identity guidelines.
• Stay current with industry trends, software advancements, and production methods to evolve design practices and maintain relevance.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as a key member of the Marketing and Communications team, contributing visual design expertise to projects with a global perspective.
• Design, revise, and produce a variety of print and digital materials, including reports, brochures, advertisements, presentations, event collateral, environmental design, signage, infographics, webpages, social media content, and email graphics.
• Administrate an inventory and purchasing system for marketing and promotional materials, design assets, and supplies, ensuring efficient process management with vendors and internal partners.
• Effectively communicate with supervisors and stakeholders throughout the design lifecycle, managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Maintain and evolve the UT brand and Texas Global brand identity across all visual outputs, ensuring consistency and relevance to diverse audiences.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or a related field is typically expected, although relevant education and experience may be substituted.

Experience: A minimum of one year of experience in graphic design and production is required. A strong portfolio demonstrating design skills and relevant project experience is essential for evaluation.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud suite, specifically Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign, for layout, design creation, and image manipulation.
• Demonstrated ability to use Microsoft PowerPoint and Microsoft Word for creating presentations and incorporating design elements into documents.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple design projects concurrently.
• Strong collaborative skills for working effectively within a team environment and consulting with stakeholders.
• Up-to-date knowledge of industry software, design trends, and best practices in design, including mockups, web design principles, and multimedia presentation.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, coupled with a strong customer service orientation.

Preferred Skills:

• More than one year of professional experience in graphic design and production.
• Advanced understanding of production methods for various promotional items, digital printing, and offset printing.
• Experience with the entire printing process, including understanding print specifications, obtaining cost estimates, preparing final files, and conducting press checks.
• Experience utilizing email marketing platforms for designing and deploying visually engaging email campaigns.
• Experience creating and designing responsive, standards-compliant, and accessible webpages or other interactive digital experiences.
• Basic knowledge of HTML or front-end web development tools to facilitate digital design handoffs and collaboration.
• Skills in photography and/or videography to create or enhance visual assets.
• Experience gained from studying or living abroad, demonstrating cultural awareness relevant to the "Global Engagement" department.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Present a curated portfolio showcasing a diverse range of graphic design projects across print and digital mediums.
• Include case studies that clearly articulate the design problem, your process, design decisions, and the final outcome for key projects.
• Demonstrate strong visual presentation standards, ensuring clarity, aesthetic appeal, and attention to detail in all portfolio pieces.
• Highlight projects that showcase technical proficiency in required software and diverse design applications relevant to the role's responsibilities.

Process Documentation:

• For included projects, document the design process, including initial research, concept development, ideation, and iteration stages.
• Showcase how you approached design challenges and incorporated feedback throughout the creative process.
• If applicable, demonstrate how user feedback or testing influenced design decisions.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $54,000 per year. This is the specified starting salary for this full-time, non-exempt Graphic Designer position at the University of Texas at Austin, located on the main campus in Austin, Texas.

Benefits:

• Competitive health benefits with employee premiums covered at 100% and family premiums at 50%, providing significant value for healthcare.
• Voluntary options for Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance, allowing customization of coverage based on individual needs.
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick time, and holidays, supporting work-life balance.
• Participation in the Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan with employer matching funds, offering long-term financial security.
• Access to additional Voluntary Retirement Programs such as Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b) for supplemental retirement savings.
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses, providing tax advantages for eligible costs.
• Robust free training access through platforms like LinkedIn Learning, plus opportunities for professional conference attendance to support continuous learning and skill development in design.
• Tuition assistance programs, supporting further education and professional growth within the university system.
• Expansive employee discount programs, including access to athletic tickets and various other benefits.
• Free access to UT Austin's extensive libraries and museums with a staff ID card, offering cultural and intellectual enrichment opportunities for designers seeking inspiration.
• Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with a staff ID card, facilitating convenient and cost-effective transportation to campus and around Austin.

Working Hours: This is a full-time position with a standard weekly schedule of 40 hours, typically performed on-site during regular business hours.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Higher Education. The University of Texas at Austin is a flagship public university with a strong commitment to global engagement, impacting its market context and the diverse audiences the design team serves.

Company Size: Large (Over 53,000 students and over 140 staff members in Texas Global alone). Working within a large university setting implies established processes, a diverse range of stakeholders, and opportunities to work on projects with significant reach.

Founded: 1883. As a long-established institution, the University has a rich history and a strong brand identity that the design team is responsible for upholding and evolving.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer reports to the Senior Graphic Designer, indicating a structured team with mentorship and guidance available.
• The role is part of the Marketing and Communications team within Texas Global, suggesting close collaboration with marketing specialists, writers, and other communicators.
• Collaboration with other units within Texas Global and potentially across the wider university is expected to support various initiatives.

Methodology:

• Design processes likely involve working from creative briefs provided by the Marketing and Communications team and other stakeholders.
• Emphasis on maintaining brand standards suggests adherence to established visual guidelines and potentially working with a design system.
• Collaboration and communication with the Senior Graphic Designer and other team members will be integral to the design workflow.

Company Website: https://global.utexas.edu/global-offices

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: This is an entry-level Graphic Designer position. The role focuses on executing design tasks under the guidance of a Senior Graphic Designer, providing a foundation for developing professional skills and gaining experience within a large institutional environment.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer reports directly to the Senior Graphic Designer, indicating a clear reporting line and opportunities for mentorship, feedback, and guidance on design projects and career development.

Design Impact: The design work directly contributes to promoting Texas Global and the University's mission, impacting recruitment efforts, stakeholder engagement, and the overall perception of the institution globally. The visual materials produced will reach a wide audience of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and international partners.

Growth Opportunities:

• Opportunity to advance to a Senior Graphic Designer role or other specialized design positions within the university system with demonstrated skill development and experience.
• Potential to expand skills in specific areas like web design, multimedia, or print production based on project needs and personal interest, supported by available training resources.
• Exposure to a wide range of design projects and audiences within a global context, broadening experience and portfolio diversity over time.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: Office environment located on the UT Main Campus in Austin, Texas. This is an on-site position requiring daily presence in the office.

Office Location(s): UT MAIN CAMPUS, Austin, Texas. The specific building or office within the campus is not specified, but it is located at the central university grounds.

Design Workspace Context:

• Work in a shared office environment, promoting collaboration and interaction with the Marketing and Communications team and potentially other colleagues in Texas Global.
• Access to standard office conditions and potentially dedicated design workstations with necessary software and equipment.
• Opportunities for informal collaboration and knowledge sharing with the Senior Graphic Designer and other team members within the shared workspace.

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week) with a standard schedule, likely during typical university business hours (e.g., Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm), providing a consistent routine for design work and team collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

• Initial screening based on resume, letter of interest, and application questions to assess basic qualifications and fit.
• Portfolio review by the hiring team, likely including the Senior Graphic Designer and other Marketing & Communications staff, to evaluate design skills, process, and relevant experience.
• Interview(s) with the hiring manager (Senior Graphic Designer) and potentially other team members or stakeholders to discuss experience, skills, portfolio, and cultural fit. Be prepared to discuss specific projects from your portfolio in detail.
• A design exercise or challenge may be required to assess problem-solving abilities, technical skills, and ability to work within constraints.
• Final interview(s) focusing on team dynamics, collaboration style, and alignment with the university's values and the goals of Texas Global.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Tailor your portfolio presentation to highlight projects that align with the types of materials mentioned in the job description (print, digital, reports, event collateral, etc.).
• For each project, clearly explain your role, the objectives, the target audience, the challenges you faced, your design process, and the impact or outcome.
• Showcase your proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud suite and other relevant tools through completed projects.
• If you have experience with projects involving global themes or diverse audiences, be sure to include and highlight them.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a design challenge is part of the process, pay close attention to the prompt and any provided constraints (e.g., time limit, required elements, brand guidelines).
• Approach the challenge systematically, demonstrating your problem-solving process from understanding the brief to ideation and execution.
• Be prepared to articulate your design decisions and rationale clearly during the presentation or review of the challenge.

ATS Keywords: Graphic Design, Visual Design, Print Design, Digital Design, Adobe Creative Cloud, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Layout, Typography, Branding, Brand Identity, Marketing Materials, Communications Design, Production Design, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Project Management, Collaboration, Communication, Customer Service, Web Design, Multimedia, Photography, Videography, Email Marketing, HTML, University, Higher Education, Global Engagement, Austin Texas.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Adobe Photoshop: Required for image editing, manipulation, and creation of raster graphics, likely used for social media, web graphics, and photo integration in print materials.
• Adobe Illustrator: Required for creating vector graphics, illustrations, logos, and scalable design elements for both print and digital applications.
• Adobe InDesign: Required for creating layouts for reports, brochures, flyers, and other multi-page print and digital documents. Proficiency in efficient layout and pre-press preparation is important.
• Microsoft PowerPoint: Required for designing presentations, potentially involving creating custom templates or incorporating design elements into existing templates for university staff and faculty.
• Microsoft Word: Required for incorporating design elements into documents, potentially for templates or simple layouts where full design software is not needed.

Collaboration & Handoff:

• Collaboration and communication will likely occur through email, meetings, and potentially project management software used by the Marketing and Communications team.
• Handoffs to printers will require preparing print-ready files with correct specifications.
• Handoffs for digital assets will require providing files in appropriate formats for web, social media, or email platforms.

Research & Testing:

• While not explicitly mentioned, research might involve gathering visual inspiration, understanding target audiences, and potentially researching best practices for accessibility in digital design.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

• Commitment to promoting Texas Global and the University of Texas at Austin through high-quality, compelling visual design that reflects the institution's mission and global perspective.
• Emphasis on maintaining and upholding the established UT brand identity and evolving the Texas Global brand to stay relevant and resonate with diverse audiences.
• Value placed on effective communication, collaboration, and customer service when working with internal stakeholders and team members throughout the design process.
• Adaptability and a desire to stay updated on industry trends, software, and production methods to continuously improve design outputs.

Collaboration Style:

• Collaborative approach within the Marketing and Communications team, working closely with the Senior Graphic Designer and other colleagues to develop design concepts and execute projects.
• Consultative style when working with stakeholders from various units within Texas Global to understand their design needs and deliver appropriate solutions.
• Likely involves regular design critiques and feedback sessions to refine work and ensure alignment with project goals and brand standards.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

• Balancing creative execution with adherence to established university brand guidelines and potentially evolving Texas Global brand standards.
• Managing multiple design projects simultaneously with varying deadlines and stakeholder requirements, requiring strong organizational and time management skills.
• Designing for diverse audiences with a global perspective, requiring cultural sensitivity and an understanding of how visual communication translates across different contexts.
• Staying current with rapidly evolving digital design trends, software updates, and production techniques to ensure outputs are modern and effective.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of graphic design (e.g., publication design, digital marketing design, environmental graphics) through varied projects.
• Access to free training resources through platforms like LinkedIn Learning and potential support for attending professional conferences or workshops to enhance skills and knowledge.
• Mentorship from the Senior Graphic Designer to develop technical skills, improve design process, and navigate working within a large institutional environment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

• Be prepared to walk through your design process for a few key projects from your portfolio, explaining your approach from understanding the brief to final execution and delivery.
• Discuss how you gather requirements, conduct research (if applicable), brainstorm ideas, iterate on designs, and incorporate feedback.
• Explain how you ensure your designs meet project objectives and resonate with the target audience.

Company Culture Questions:

• Research the University of Texas at Austin and Texas Global to understand their mission, values, and recent initiatives. Be prepared to discuss why you are interested in working for this specific institution and department.
• Think about how your design skills and experience can contribute to promoting global engagement within the university.
• Be ready to discuss how you collaborate with team members and stakeholders, handle feedback, and work within established brand guidelines.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select 3-5 key projects that best showcase your skills relevant to the job description (print, digital, layout, branding, etc.).
• For each project, provide a brief overview of the context, your role, the challenge, and the solution. Focus on demonstrating your design thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Be prepared to discuss the tools and techniques you used for each project.
• Practice presenting your portfolio concisely and confidently, highlighting the impact of your design work.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

• Submit your application through this link on the University of Texas at Austin's Workday careers portal.
• Prepare a compelling letter of interest that specifically addresses your interest in working for Texas Global and the University of Texas at Austin, highlighting how your graphic design skills and experience align with the responsibilities and mission of the department.
• Ensure your resume or CV is updated and highlights your relevant graphic design experience, technical skills (especially Adobe CC suite proficiency), and any experience with the types of materials listed in the job description.
• Curate your online portfolio to showcase your best work, focusing on projects that demonstrate your ability to create compelling visual communications across print and digital platforms, and be ready to share the link in your application.
• Prepare a list of at least three professional work references with their contact information, ensuring at least one is from a supervisor who can speak to your graphic design abilities and work ethic.