Graphic Designer - Infographic Specialist

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer - Infographic Specialist

Company: Community Impact

Location: San Antonio, Texas, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Graphic Design / Infographic Design

Date Posted: Jun 17, 2025

Experience Level: Entry to Mid-Level (1+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🎨 Role Summary

• Create high-quality, accurate, and creative graphic design work, with a specialized focus on infographics, charts, and maps for editorial content.
• Support both editorial and advertising production workflows, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to design guidelines.
• Collaborate closely with editorial and sales teams to visualize data and information effectively and design compelling advertisements.
• Maintain a strong understanding of design trends and industry software, particularly Adobe Creative Suite, to produce visually engaging and accurate graphics for print and digital platforms.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

• Analyze and interpret news stories and data to design original, accurate, and easy-to-understand infographics, charts, and maps that visually enhance editorial content.
• Lay out newspaper pages using Adobe InDesign, adhering to company design guidelines, processes, and established procedures for print publication.
• Collaborate with reporters and editors to gain deeper insight into stories, ensuring graphics accurately reflect the narrative and data presented.
• Work with the sales team to create, modify, and update advertisements that meet client needs and comply with monthly advertising deadlines.
• Prepare and save online paper archives and editorial graphics in appropriate formats to meet web deadlines at the end of each production cycle.
• Ensure all in-paper advertisements and graphics are correctly prepared for 4-color press output and all web advertisements are properly formatted for digital platforms.
• Meet editorial deadlines for daily production workflows, including design, proofing, and final output, maintaining a high level of accuracy and quality in a fast-paced environment.
• Maintain awareness of current design trends and a working knowledge of the latest industry software to continuously improve design quality and efficiency.
• Serve as backup support to Advertising and Editorial Specialists as needed, facilitating seamless collaboration and production workflows across teams.
• Adhere to all company policies and procedures, and perform other job-related duties as reasonably requested by management.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design or related coursework is required, providing a foundational understanding of design principles, visual communication, and design software. Relevant certifications or ongoing professional development in data visualization or information design would be beneficial.

Experience: At least one (1) year of prior experience in graphic design is required. This experience should ideally include creating advertisements, infographics, charts, and/or maps, demonstrating practical application of design skills in a professional setting. A strong design portfolio showcasing relevant work is essential.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe InDesign for layout and editorial design, including managing complex documents and styles.
• Expertise in Adobe Illustrator for creating vector graphics, illustrations, charts, and detailed infographics.
• Competence in Adobe Photoshop for image editing and manipulation, preparing images for both print and digital use.
• Working knowledge of Adobe Acrobat Pro for PDF creation, editing, and file preparation for print output (CMYK).
• Experience with file preparation specifically for CMYK output, understanding color profiles, bleeds, and print specifications.
• Ability to create clear, accurate, and visually compelling infographics, charts, and maps from data and editorial content.
• Strong understanding of corporate design guidelines and the ability to work consistently within established visual brand standards.
• Excellent organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail in design execution, proofing, and file management.
• Proven ability to manage time effectively and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced production environment with minimal supervision.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to effectively interact with editorial staff, sales representatives, and other team members.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with industry-specific software such as Content Management Systems (CMS) for web publishing and Font Management software for maintaining consistent typography.
• Experience working in a newsroom or publishing environment, understanding editorial workflows and production cycles.
• Basic understanding of web design principles and preparing graphics for digital platforms.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Include a diverse range of graphic design projects, with a strong emphasis on data visualization, infographics, charts, and maps created for editorial or informational purposes.
• Showcase examples of layout design, particularly multi-page documents like brochures, newsletters, or newspaper/magazine pages.
• Present examples of advertising design created for various media, demonstrating an understanding of marketing objectives and visual hierarchy.
• Include projects that demonstrate proficiency in Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop, highlighting technical skills and creative application.

Process Documentation:

• For infographic and data visualization projects, include documentation of the data source, the process of simplifying and translating complex data into a visual format, and the design choices made to ensure clarity and accuracy.
• For layout projects, explain the grid system used, typography choices, and how visual hierarchy was established to guide the reader through the content.
• For advertising projects, describe the client's objective, target audience, and how the design effectively communicates the intended message and call to action.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The base salary is listed as $46,500 per year. This falls within the typical entry to mid-level graphic designer salary range for the San Antonio, TX area, especially within the publishing industry. Salary ranges in this region for designers with 1-3 years of experience can vary based on specific skills and portfolio strength, but $46,500 is a reasonable starting point for a specialist role at this experience level in this market. Research indicates the average graphic designer salary in San Antonio is around $50,000 - $60,000, but this role's specific focus and experience requirements align with the stated salary. (Source: Based on publicly available salary data for Graphic Designers in San Antonio, TX, considering experience level and industry context as of mid-2024).

Benefits:

• Paid Time Off: 112 hours annually, providing a healthy work-life balance.
• Paid Holidays: 10 standard holidays per year, plus an additional paid day off for your birthday, offering extra time for personal celebration and rest.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Includes Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance, as well as Employer-Paid Life Insurance, providing essential health and financial security.
• Additional Coverage: Supplemental insurance options such as Accident and Critical Illness, offering further protection against unforeseen events.
• Career Growth: Opportunities for advancement and development within the company, indicating potential for professional progression for dedicated employees.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, likely 40 hours per week, with the flexibility of a hybrid schedule allowing three days on-site and two days of telework. This structure supports both collaborative work and focused individual design tasks. Deadlines in a publishing environment may occasionally require flexibility in hours, especially leading up to publication dates.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Newspaper Publishing. Community Impact specializes in hyperlocal journalism, providing news and information to specific communities. The design function is integral to presenting this information clearly and engagingly in both print and digital formats.

Company Size: 201-500 employees (as per LinkedIn). This size suggests a well-established company with structured teams and processes, but potentially still maintaining a collaborative and less bureaucratic environment than larger corporations.

Founded: 2005. Community Impact has over a decade of experience in the publishing industry, emphasizing its stability and established presence in its target markets.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer - Infographic Specialist reports directly to the Product Manager, suggesting a role integrated within the product or content creation team, rather than solely in a marketing or standalone design department.
• The role involves supporting and potentially mentoring new Graphic Designer - Infographic Specialists, indicating a hierarchical structure within the design team and opportunities for peer leadership.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration is required with reporters, editors, and the sales team, highlighting a need for designers who can work effectively across different departments.

Methodology:

• Design processes are likely influenced by editorial deadlines and publication cycles, requiring efficient workflows and quick turnarounds.
• Emphasis on creating accurate and original graphics suggests a methodology focused on data integrity and creative problem-solving to visualize information effectively.
• Working within corporate design guidelines indicates a structured approach to maintaining visual consistency across all publications and platforms.

Company Website: http://www.communityimpact.com

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: This role is positioned as an entry to mid-level Graphic Designer with a specialization in infographics. The requirement of 1+ years of experience and the base salary range align with this level. Responsibilities include executing design tasks, collaborating with content creators, and adhering to established guidelines.

Reporting Structure: Reporting to a Product Manager suggests a close relationship with the content strategy and delivery side of the business. This structure can provide valuable insight into how design contributes to the overall product and audience engagement.

Design Impact: As an Infographic Specialist in a news organization, your design work directly impacts how complex information is understood by the readership. Your ability to visualize data accurately and engagingly is crucial for the clarity and effectiveness of editorial content.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advancement to a Senior Graphic Designer role, potentially taking on more complex projects, leading design initiatives, or specializing further in areas like data visualization strategy.
• Opportunities to mentor and train new designers, developing leadership and team management skills.
• Expansion of responsibilities to include more strategic input on design direction, visual storytelling, or the evolution of design guidelines.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: Hybrid work environment, requiring three days on-site at the Pflugerville office and two days of telework. The on-site requirement suggests the office supports collaborative work, access to specific design resources (potentially large format printers, specific hardware), or facilitates in-person team and cross-functional meetings.

Office Location(s): The primary location mentioned for on-site work is Pflugerville, TX (16225 Impact Way, Suite 1, Pflugerville, TX 78660). The job posting itself lists San Antonio, TX (3522 Paesanos Parkway, San Antonio, TX 78231) as the primary location. Candidates should clarify the specific office location for the required on-site days during the interview process. Other office locations in Texas (Jersey Village, Frisco) indicate a regional presence.

Design Workspace Context:

• The on-site days likely involve working in an office environment designed for creative collaboration and potentially access to shared resources or specific design equipment.
• Telework days allow for focused individual work, providing flexibility and the ability to work from a location conducive to creative tasks.
• Collaboration spaces or meeting rooms are likely available on-site for team discussions, project reviews, and cross-functional meetings with editorial and sales teams.

Work Schedule: A hybrid schedule balancing on-site presence with remote work. This offers a blend of structured team interaction and independent work flexibility, which can be beneficial for managing creative workflows and meeting publication deadlines. The specific on-site days should be confirmed.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

• Initial screening interview, likely focusing on resume, experience, and basic understanding of graphic design principles and the role of infographics. Be prepared to briefly discuss your portfolio and why you are interested in working for a news organization.
• Portfolio review and discussion with a design team member or the hiring manager (Product Manager). Be ready to walk through your most relevant projects, explaining your design process, particularly for infographics and layout work. Highlight your ability to translate complex information visually.
• A potential design test or challenge may be required, as mentioned in the minimum qualifications. This could involve creating a simple infographic from provided data or laying out a sample news page within specific guidelines. Practice your speed and accuracy in core Adobe programs.
• Further interviews may involve meeting with the Product Manager, potential team members, and possibly representatives from the editorial or sales teams to assess collaboration skills and cultural fit. Be prepared to discuss how you would work with non-designers to achieve project goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate your portfolio to prominently feature infographics, data visualizations, charts, and maps. These are central to this role.
• For each relevant project, provide a brief case study explaining the goal, the data or content you worked with, your design process (how you approached visualizing the information), the tools used, and the final outcome.
• Demonstrate your ability to create visuals that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also accurate, clear, and easy to understand for a general audience.
• If you have experience with layout design (newspapers, magazines, brochures), include examples that showcase your understanding of typography, grids, and visual hierarchy.
• Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible online and well-organized.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a design test is administered, it will likely assess your proficiency in Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and potentially Photoshop, as well as your ability to quickly interpret information and apply design principles under pressure.
• Practice creating simple charts or diagrams from raw data.
• Review best practices for infographic design, focusing on clarity, accuracy, and visual storytelling.
• Familiarize yourself with common newspaper or publication layout structures and design constraints.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Adobe InDesign: Essential for newspaper layout, page design, and managing complex documents with text and graphics. Required for assembling editorial content and advertisements into final pages.
• Adobe Illustrator: Crucial for creating vector-based infographics, charts, maps, illustrations, and logos. Required for developing scalable and editable visual assets.
• Adobe Photoshop: Used for editing and optimizing images (photographs, graphics) for both print and digital output. Required for preparing visual elements to be incorporated into layouts and infographics.
• Adobe Acrobat Pro: Necessary for creating, editing, and preparing PDF files, particularly for print output (CMYK) and online archiving. Required for final file preparation and proofing.

Collaboration & Handoff:

• Specific collaboration tools are not explicitly mentioned but are likely used for communication with reporters, editors, and the sales team (e.g., email, instant messaging platforms like Slack or Teams).
• Handoff procedures for print production (CMYK file preparation) and web publishing (appropriate digital formats) are key aspects of the workflow.
• Documentation tools might be used for maintaining design guidelines or asset libraries, though not explicitly listed.

Research & Testing:

• While not explicitly listed as tools, the role requires analyzing and interpreting news and data for infographics, implying a need for strong analytical skills to work with source material.
• Testing of design output likely involves proofing and review cycles with editorial and production teams to ensure accuracy and quality before publication.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

• Emphasis on creating high-quality, accurate, and creative artwork, suggesting a value placed on both technical skill and creative problem-solving in design.
• Commitment to the highest level of accuracy and quality, reflecting the journalistic integrity of a news organization and the importance of reliable information design.
• Maintaining awareness of current design trends indicates a value in continuous learning and staying relevant in the visual communication landscape.
• Working within corporate design guidelines highlights a value for consistency, brand identity, and adherence to established standards.

Collaboration Style:

• Close collaboration with reporters, editors, and the sales staff is essential, indicating a highly interactive and cross-functional work environment.
• Team members likely engage in regular communication to understand project requirements, share updates, and provide feedback.
• The mention of supporting and training new designers suggests a supportive team environment where knowledge sharing and mentorship are valued.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

• Translating complex or dense data from news stories into clear, concise, and visually appealing infographics that are easy for a broad audience to understand, often under tight deadlines. Requires strong analytical skills and creative problem-solving.
• Balancing creative design with strict adherence to corporate design guidelines and journalistic standards for accuracy and objectivity.
• Managing multiple projects simultaneously for both editorial and advertising needs, requiring excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Staying updated with the latest design software features and industry best practices for data visualization and print/digital publishing.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Opportunity to hone specialized skills in data visualization and information design within a real-world publishing context, building a strong portfolio in this niche area.
• Gain experience working within a professional newsroom environment, understanding the editorial process and the role of design in journalism.
• Develop strong cross-functional collaboration skills by working closely with reporters, editors, and sales professionals.
• Potential for growth into more senior design roles or leadership positions within the design team as the team expands or needs evolve.
• Opportunities to learn and utilize industry-specific software like Content Management Systems.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

• Describe your process for creating an infographic from raw data. How do you ensure accuracy and clarity? Provide examples from your portfolio.
• Walk me through a complex layout project you've completed. How did you manage typography, hierarchy, and visual flow?
• How do you approach translating abstract concepts or data into visual metaphors?
• Describe a time you received critical feedback on your design work. How did you incorporate it and iterate on your design?

Company Culture Questions:

• What interests you about working for a hyperlocal news organization like Community Impact?
• How do you envision collaborating effectively with non-designers, such as reporters, editors, and sales staff?
• How do you handle working under tight deadlines, which are common in the publishing industry?
• Based on your research, what aspects of Community Impact's design style or approach resonate with you?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus your presentation on 3-5 of your strongest and most relevant projects, prioritizing infographics and data visualizations.
• For each project, clearly explain the problem you were solving, the data or content you worked with, your design process and decisions, and the final outcome.
• Highlight your technical skills in Adobe Creative Suite, especially InDesign and Illustrator, by explaining specific techniques used or challenges overcome.
• Be prepared to discuss the impact of your design work – how did it help communicate information effectively or achieve a specific goal?

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

• Submit your application through this link, ensuring all required fields are completed accurately.
• Customize your resume to highlight your graphic design experience, with specific emphasis on creating infographics, charts, maps, and layout design, using relevant keywords from the job description.
• Prepare a strong online portfolio showcasing your best work, particularly examples of data visualization and editorial design. Ensure it is easily accessible and includes case studies for key projects.
• Practice discussing your design process, especially how you approach creating infographics and collaborating with content creators, in preparation for interviews.
• Research Community Impact's publications and website to understand their design style, the types of stories they cover, and the communities they serve.