Part-Time Graphic Designer for Intercollegiate Athletics at Penn State University

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Part-Time Graphic Designer for Intercollegiate Athletics

Company: Penn State University

Location: Penn State University Park

Job Type: Part-Time

Category: Graphic Design, Visual Design

Date Posted: June 12, 2025

Experience Level: Entry-Level (0-2 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🎨 Role Summary

Provide essential graphic design support to the Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics department, contributing to the visual identity and branding of various sports teams.
Execute design projects that require proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite, focusing on creating compelling visual assets for digital and print platforms.
Collaborate with the athletics staff to understand design needs and translate concepts into effective visual communications that resonate with the target audience.
Maintain brand consistency and quality across all design deliverables, adhering to university and athletic department guidelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Inferred the "Entry-Level" experience level and "On-site" remote status based on the part-time nature, typical university employment structures for this type of role, and the absence of explicit remote work details in the provided text. Categorized as "Graphic Design, Visual Design" based on the core function of the role.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

Design and produce graphic assets for various intercollegiate athletic teams, including but not limited to social media graphics, website banners, print materials, and promotional items.
Utilize Adobe Creative Suite software (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) to create high-quality visual content.
Work closely with members of the athletics department to fulfill design requests and ensure timely delivery of assets.
Assist in maintaining and organizing digital design files and asset libraries.
Potentially assist with photography tasks if possessing relevant skills, contributing to the visual coverage of athletic events and activities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Expanded on the primary responsibilities by incorporating common graphic design tasks within an athletic department context, such as social media graphics and print materials. Assumed the use of standard Adobe Creative Suite tools relevant to graphic design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a background in graphic design, visual arts, or a related field is typically beneficial for this type of role. Current enrollment as a Penn State student in a relevant program is also a strong asset.

Experience: Entry-level experience in graphic design is expected. A portfolio showcasing relevant design work is required for application.

Required Skills:

Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and potentially InDesign.
Strong understanding of graphic design principles, including layout, typography, color theory, and visual hierarchy.
Ability to create designs that align with established brand guidelines.
Good communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively.

Preferred Skills:

Prior experience working in an athletics environment, particularly in a design capacity.
Photography skills and experience.
Familiarity with design trends in the sports industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: Inferred education expectations based on typical requirements for design roles within academic institutions. Specified key Adobe Creative Suite tools based on standard graphic design workflows. Added preferred skills relevant to the athletics context and potential photography component.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

A link to your online portfolio is required with your application.
Portfolio should showcase a diverse range of graphic design projects, demonstrating your technical skills and creative abilities.
Include examples of work relevant to sports or athletics if possible, showcasing your ability to design for this specific context.
Demonstrate your understanding of visual communication and branding through your selected projects.

Process Documentation:

While not explicitly required for this level, consider briefly explaining your design process for a few key projects in your portfolio or during an interview.
Highlight how you approach a design brief and arrive at a final solution.
Showcase your ability to iterate and refine designs based on feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: Provided guidance on portfolio content and presentation, emphasizing the importance of showcasing relevant work and demonstrating design process, which is standard practice for design role applications.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given this is a part-time, wage payroll position within a university setting in University Park, PA, and based on typical student or entry-level part-time wages in the region, an estimated hourly rate would likely fall between $12.00 and $18.00 per hour. This estimate is based on general hourly wage data for part-time positions in the education sector in Pennsylvania and the likely entry-level nature of the role. Specific compensation will depend on experience and university pay scales.

Benefits:

Eligibility for certain university employee benefits may apply, depending on the number of hours worked.
Opportunity to gain practical graphic design experience in a dynamic athletics environment.
Potential for professional development and networking within a large university setting.
Access to university resources and facilities.

Working Hours: This is a part-time position, likely requiring a flexible schedule that can accommodate the needs of the athletics department, potentially including some evenings or weekends depending on events. The AI analysis indicates approximately 20 working hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: Provided an estimated salary range based on typical part-time wage payroll rates at universities in Pennsylvania for entry-level roles. Acknowledged that specific benefits depend on hours worked, a common aspect of part-time university employment. Included the AI-estimated working hours.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Education (Higher Education), specifically within the Intercollegiate Athletics sector.

Company Size: Penn State University is a very large institution with a significant number of employees (LinkedIn indicates over 5,000 for the broader university). This means working within a large, complex organizational structure.

Founded: 1855. Penn State has a long and established history.

Team Structure:

You will likely be part of the Intercollegiate Athletics department's creative or communications team.
Reporting structure will likely be to a full-time graphic designer or a communications/marketing manager within the athletics department.
Collaboration will be key, working with various sports teams, coaches, and administrative staff.

Methodology:

Design workflows will likely involve receiving briefs from athletics staff, developing concepts, seeking feedback, and producing final assets.
Adherence to brand guidelines for Penn State Athletics will be crucial.
Project management will be important to handle multiple requests from different teams.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Provided context on Penn State as a large university and its industry. Inferred the likely team structure and design methodology based on the nature of the role within an athletic department at a large institution.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: This role is positioned as an entry-level or student-level graphic designer within the university's athletics department. It offers practical experience in a specific design niche.

Reporting Structure: You will likely report to a more senior designer or a manager within the athletics communications or marketing team.

Design Impact: Your design work will directly contribute to the visual presentation and branding of Penn State's athletic teams, influencing how they are perceived by fans, recruits, and the wider community.

Growth Opportunities:

Gain valuable professional experience and build your design portfolio within a recognized institution.
Develop specialized skills in sports graphic design and branding.
Opportunity to network with professionals in both design and athletic administration.
Potential for increased responsibility or different design projects based on performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: Analyzed the career level and potential growth opportunities based on the part-time, entry-level nature of the role within a large university setting.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: On-site within the Penn State University Park campus, likely within the Intercollegiate Athletics facilities or administrative offices.

Office Location(s): Penn State University Park.

Design Workspace Context:

Work will be performed in a professional office environment, likely with access to necessary design software and equipment.
Opportunity to interact directly with athletics staff and potentially other creative team members.
The environment will be fast-paced, especially during athletic seasons.

Work Schedule: Part-time, requiring a flexible schedule that aligns with the needs of the athletics department. Specific hours will be determined upon hiring.

📝 Enhancement Note: Described the work environment based on the on-site location within a university athletics department, including the likely setting and pace.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

The initial application requires submitting your resume and a link to your portfolio through the Penn State Workday system.
Qualified candidates will likely be contacted for an interview, potentially with the hiring manager (Stephanie Petulla) and other members of the athletics creative team.
The interview will likely include questions about your design experience, skills, and interest in sports graphic design.
Be prepared to discuss your portfolio and walk through your design process for selected projects.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Ensure your portfolio link is functional and easily accessible.
Curate your portfolio to showcase your strongest graphic design work, particularly any projects related to sports, branding, or dynamic visual communication.
For each project, clearly explain the objective, your role, the tools used, and the final outcome.
Highlight your ability to work with established brands and create visually appealing designs.

Challenge Preparation:

While a formal design challenge is not explicitly mentioned, be prepared to discuss how you would approach a typical design request for an athletic team during the interview.
Think about how you would gather requirements, brainstorm ideas, and present concepts.

ATS Keywords: Graphic Design, Visual Design, Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Branding, Typography, Layout, Sports Graphics, Intercollegiate Athletics, Portfolio, Creative, Digital Design, Print Design, Visual Communication, Collaboration, Photography (plus), Part-Time, University, Higher Education.

📝 Enhancement Note: Outlined a likely application and interview process based on standard university hiring practices and the requirements mentioned in the job description, particularly the portfolio requirement. Provided specific tips for portfolio review and potential interview discussions. Generated relevant ATS keywords based on the job description content and design industry terms.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

Adobe Creative Suite: Proficiency in core applications like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and potentially Adobe InDesign is essential for creating and editing graphic assets.
Experience with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications may be beneficial.

Collaboration & Handoff:

Likely use of email and potentially project management or collaboration software used by the athletics department for receiving briefs and sharing files.

Research & Testing:

Understanding design trends in sports and staying updated on best practices for digital and print design.

📝 Enhancement Note: Specified key Adobe Creative Suite tools based on the job description's mention of "Adobe Creative Suite" and the typical tools used in graphic design roles. Inferred the use of standard collaboration tools within an office environment.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

Emphasis on creating visually impactful designs that represent the spirit and brand of Penn State Athletics.
Focus on producing high-quality work that meets the needs of various sports teams and the department.
Value for creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.

Collaboration Style:

Collaborative approach, working closely with athletics staff to understand design requirements and deliver effective solutions.
Open communication and responsiveness to feedback will be important.

📝 Enhancement Note: Inferred design values and collaboration style based on the context of working within an intercollegiate athletics department at a large university.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

Balancing multiple design requests from different sports teams with varying deadlines.
Adhering to strict brand guidelines while still producing creative and engaging designs.
Potentially working under tight deadlines, especially during peak athletic seasons.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Develop expertise in sports graphic design and branding.
Gain experience working within a large, professional organization.
Opportunity to expand your portfolio with diverse projects.
Potential to learn new design techniques and workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: Identified potential design challenges and growth opportunities based on the nature of the role within a busy athletics department.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

Be prepared to discuss your approach to a typical graphic design project, from receiving a brief to delivering the final asset.
Explain how you ensure your designs meet the client's needs and align with brand guidelines.
Discuss how you would handle revisions and feedback on your design work.

Company Culture Questions:

Show your enthusiasm for sports and working within an athletics environment.
Be prepared to discuss how you prioritize tasks and manage your time effectively, especially in a part-time capacity with potentially multiple demands.
Highlight your ability to work as part of a team and collaborate with others.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Organize your portfolio in a clear and visually appealing manner.
For each project you present, be ready to explain the context, your design choices, and the impact of your work.
Focus on projects that demonstrate skills relevant to sports graphic design and branding.

📝 Enhancement Note: Provided targeted interview preparation advice, including typical design process questions, questions related to the company culture (specifically the athletics context), and strategies for presenting your design portfolio effectively for this role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

Submit your application through this link
Ensure your online portfolio link is included in your application materials.
Tailor your resume to highlight relevant graphic design skills, Adobe Creative Suite proficiency, and any experience in sports or branding.
Prepare to discuss your portfolio and design process during a potential interview.
Research Penn State Athletics and the specific sports teams to demonstrate your interest and understanding of the environment.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and design industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Part-Time Graphic Designer for Intercollegiate Athletics