Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer Company: Houston Community College Location: Houston, TX (United States) Job Type: Full-Time Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Services Date Posted: August 15, 2025 Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is central to Houston Community College's (HCC) external and internal communications strategy, focusing on visual content creation to support academic and workforce development initiatives.
• The Graphic Designer will translate complex institutional messages into compelling visual narratives, playing a key part in marketing and outreach efforts.
• This position requires a blend of creative artistic talent and technical proficiency in design software to produce high-quality marketing collateral and publications.
• The designer will collaborate closely with faculty and staff to understand their needs and develop materials that align with HCC's mission and brand guidelines, driving engagement and awareness.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the input job title is "Graphic Designer," the responsibilities described, such as developing marketing strategies and materials, and the context of working within an educational institution, suggest a role that bridges marketing operations and creative services. The emphasis on publications like ads, brochures, and flyers points to a need for operational efficiency in content production.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce a wide array of marketing and informational publications, including advertisements, brochures, posters, flyers, and other collateral materials, ensuring brand consistency and visual appeal.
• Develop creative concepts and prepare digital illustrations from various source materials (models, sketches, photographs) for integration into computerized design layouts.
• Scan and prepare document and art assets for use in publications, maintaining high-resolution quality and appropriate file formats for print and digital distribution.
• Solicit and manage quotes for advertising costs, printing, and production, ensuring projects remain within budget and adhere to procurement guidelines.
• Partner with faculty and staff across various departments to understand their communication needs, contributing to the development of effective marketing strategies and materials that support institutional goals.
• Maintain and update existing design assets, ensuring all materials reflect current branding and messaging standards.
• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks to meet deadlines in a dynamic educational environment.
• Ensure all visual communications comply with accessibility standards and HCC's non-discrimination policies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility to "solicit quotes for ad costs, printing, and production costs" indicates a need for project management and vendor liaison skills, common in operations-focused creative roles. The collaboration with faculty and staff to "develop marketing strategies and materials" highlights the need for strategic thinking beyond pure design execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Associate’s degree in Graphic Art or a related field is required.
• Alternatively, four (4) years of directly-related professional graphic design experience may be considered in lieu of the Associate's degree requirement.

Experience:

• A minimum of three (3) years of professional graphic design experience is required.
• Experience within an institution of higher education, particularly a community college setting, is strongly preferred, offering insight into the unique communication needs of such environments.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in graphic design principles, including typography, layout, color theory, and visual hierarchy.
• Strong command of industry-standard design software, specifically Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).
• Demonstrated ability to translate abstract concepts into compelling visual designs.
• Excellent artistic and illustration skills, with the ability to create original artwork and manipulate existing imagery.
• Familiarity with preparing digital assets for both print and web, understanding resolution, color modes, and file formats.
• Competency in MS Office Programs (Word, PowerPoint) for basic document creation and integration.
• Strong writing and communication skills to effectively convey design concepts and collaborate with stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with page layout applications beyond InDesign, such as QuarkXPress or similar.
• Knowledge of pre-press requirements and print production processes.
• Familiarity with content management systems (CMS) for web content integration.
• Understanding of marketing principles and how design contributes to campaign success.
• Experience with video editing or motion graphics software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects) could be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "Page Layout Applications" and "MS Office Programs" alongside core design tools points to a need for operational efficiency in producing a variety of content formats. The preference for higher education experience suggests candidates familiar with academic marketing cycles and stakeholder engagement within educational institutions will be better positioned.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A professional portfolio is mandatory and must be submitted at the time of interview.
• The portfolio should showcase a diverse range of design projects, demonstrating proficiency in creating various publication types (ads, brochures, flyers, posters).
• It should highlight creative problem-solving and the ability to translate client needs into effective visual solutions.
• Include examples that illustrate your process from concept development to final execution, demonstrating your artistic and technical skills.
• Showcase your ability to work with different design software and produce high-quality, polished final products.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates are expected to present project examples that demonstrate a structured design process, including:
  • Initial concept generation and client brief interpretation.
  • Iterative design development and feedback incorporation.
  • Finalization of artwork and preparation for production.
  • Consideration of budget and timeline constraints in project execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for a portfolio at the interview stage is critical for this role. Applicants should curate their portfolio to specifically highlight projects that demonstrate workflow efficiency, adherence to brand guidelines, and the successful production of marketing collateral similar to those mentioned in the job description.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• As Houston Community College is a public institution, salary is typically determined by established pay grades and experience levels. Based on similar Graphic Designer roles in the Houston, TX area requiring 2-5 years of experience, the estimated annual salary range is $50,000 - $65,000. This estimate is derived from industry benchmarks for public sector and educational institutions, considering the cost of living in Houston.

Benefits:

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans are typically offered to full-time employees.
• Retirement Plan: Participation in a state retirement system (e.g., Teacher Retirement System of Texas - TRS) with employer contributions.
• Paid Time Off: Generous paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, often accrued based on years of service.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, and conferences to enhance design skills and stay current with industry trends.
• Tuition Assistance: Potential for tuition waivers or discounts for employees and their dependents for HCC courses.
• Life Insurance: Employer-provided life insurance coverage.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work hours are typically 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday.
• Occasional work outside of regular business hours, including evenings and weekends, may be required to meet project deadlines or support institutional events.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary information was not provided. The estimated range is based on general market data for similar roles in the Houston area and public sector compensation trends. Benefits are typical for public educational institutions.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Education (Community College) Company Size: Large (HCC serves a significant student population and employs a substantial workforce across multiple campuses) Founded: 1971 (Houston Community College was established to provide accessible, affordable higher education and workforce training.)

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer likely operates within a marketing or communications department, which may include other designers, writers, marketing specialists, and digital media professionals.
• Reporting structure would typically be to a Marketing Director, Communications Manager, or a Creative Services Lead.
• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, involving frequent interaction with faculty, staff from various academic and administrative departments, and potentially external vendors.

Methodology:

• The design process at HCC likely emphasizes adherence to institutional branding guidelines and strategic marketing objectives.
• Data analysis may be used indirectly to inform design choices, such as understanding target audience preferences or evaluating the impact of marketing materials.
• Workflow planning involves managing a queue of design requests, prioritizing based on institutional needs and deadlines.
• Automation is likely limited to design software features and project management tools, rather than broad marketing automation platforms.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Team" description emphasizes keeping operations running smoothly and working with inspiring leaders, suggesting a supportive and collaborative internal environment. The context of being one of the largest community colleges implies a structured, process-oriented operational framework.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a mid-level individual contributor role within the creative services function, focusing on specialized design execution. Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer typically reports to a manager or director within the marketing or communications department, overseeing broader institutional messaging and outreach. Operations Impact: The role directly impacts HCC's ability to effectively communicate its value proposition to prospective students, current students, faculty, staff, and the wider community. High-quality visual assets are crucial for brand perception, student recruitment, and program promotion, indirectly supporting institutional revenue and operational efficiency.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior Graphic Designer: Progression to a senior role may involve leading design projects, mentoring junior designers, and taking on more complex creative responsibilities.
• Art Director/Creative Director: With significant experience and leadership skills, opportunities may exist to move into management roles overseeing the entire creative output of the department.
• Specialization: Development into specialized areas such as web design, digital asset management, or branding strategy.
• Project Management: Transitioning into a marketing project manager role, leveraging design experience to oversee the execution of broader marketing campaigns.

📝 Enhancement Note: Growth in operations-adjacent creative roles often involves a shift from pure execution to strategy, project management, and team leadership. Demonstrating efficiency and impact in design production can pave the way for these advancements.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: General Office environment. Office Location(s): Houston, TX. HCC operates multiple campuses and centers throughout the Greater Houston area, so the specific work location might vary.

Workspace Context:

• The designer will work in a typical office setting, requiring the use of computers and standard office equipment.
• Collaboration with colleagues will occur in shared office spaces, meeting rooms, and potentially through digital collaboration tools.
• Access to necessary design software and hardware is expected.
• The environment is professional and service-oriented, serving the needs of students and faculty.

Work Schedule:

• Primarily Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week.
• Flexibility may be required to work outside standard hours, including evenings and weekends, to meet project deadlines or support institutional events, which is common in operations-driven environments that must meet external deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "General Office" description, combined with the requirement for "position self to operate job equipment" and "remain in a stationary position," indicates a standard office work setup. The mention of working after hours implies a need for operational readiness outside of typical business hours.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Application review to assess qualifications, experience, and portfolio submission.
• Portfolio Review & Interview: Candidates will be interviewed, and their professional portfolio will be reviewed. This stage assesses creative skills, technical proficiency, and understanding of design principles. Expect questions about your design process, project choices, and how you handle feedback.
• Skills Assessment/Work Sample: Potentially a practical design exercise or a case study to evaluate problem-solving abilities and design execution under timed conditions, similar to operations challenges.
• Final Interview: May involve meeting with department leadership or a panel to assess cultural fit and strategic alignment with HCC's mission.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose your strongest, most relevant work that showcases diversity in project type and your technical skills.
• Tell a Story: For each project, explain the objective, your role, the process, the challenges, and the outcome. Focus on how your design solved a problem or achieved a goal.
• Highlight Process: Include mock-ups, sketches, or early design iterations to demonstrate your thought process and problem-solving approach.
• Showcase Technical Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates mastery of design software like Adobe Creative Suite.
• Tailor to HCC: If possible, include projects that reflect an understanding of the educational sector or similar audience engagement.
• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and professionally presented (e.g., a personal website or a well-designed PDF).

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss how you manage multiple design requests and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Practice articulating your design decisions and rationale clearly and concisely.
• Familiarize yourself with HCC's branding guidelines and current marketing materials to understand their visual identity.
• Be ready to discuss how you collaborate with non-designers (faculty, staff) and incorporate their feedback effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio review and potential skills assessment highlights the practical, output-driven nature of this role, mirroring operational evaluations. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not just artistic talent but also process efficiency and client service skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:
  • Adobe Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital art creation.
  • Adobe Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, icons, and custom illustrations.
  • Adobe InDesign: For page layout and design of publications like brochures, flyers, and reports.
• Microsoft Office Suite:
  • Microsoft Word: For text integration and basic document preparation.
  • Microsoft PowerPoint: For presentation design and integration of visual assets.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary function, designers may use analytics from digital platforms (e.g., website traffic, social media engagement) to understand audience response to visual content.
• Basic understanding of design metrics relevant to print (e.g., resolution, bleed, CMYK) and digital (e.g., RGB, file size optimization) is crucial.

CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM or marketing automation tools are specified for this role, but integration with content management systems (CMS) for web publishing might be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. The inclusion of MS Office highlights the operational need to integrate designs into standard business documents and presentations, requiring a practical, systems-oriented approach to content creation.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Delivering High Quality Work: A commitment to producing polished, professional, and error-free design output that reflects positively on HCC.
• Accepting Responsibility: Taking ownership of design projects from conception to completion, ensuring deadlines are met and objectives are achieved.
• Serving Customers: Effectively collaborating with internal stakeholders (faculty, staff) to understand and meet their design needs, providing excellent service.
• Supporting Organizational Goals: Aligning all design efforts with HCC's mission, strategic objectives, and brand identity.
• Driving Continuous Improvement: Seeking opportunities to enhance design skills, workflows, and the effectiveness of visual communications.
• Acting with Integrity: Maintaining ethical standards in design practices and professional conduct.
• Thinking Critically: Analyzing design challenges and developing thoughtful, effective visual solutions.
• Communicating Effectively: Clearly articulating design concepts, providing and receiving constructive feedback, and managing stakeholder expectations.

Collaboration Style:

• The role fosters a collaborative approach, working closely with various departments to translate their needs into visual assets.
• Expect a team environment that values feedback, iteration, and shared problem-solving to achieve institutional goals.
• Open communication and a service-oriented mindset are key to successful cross-functional partnerships.

📝 Enhancement Note: The listed "Competencies" directly translate into operational values for this role, emphasizing accountability, customer service (internal stakeholders), and continuous improvement in design output and processes.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Balancing the varied design requests and subjective preferences of faculty and staff from different departments.
• Adhering to Brand Guidelines: Ensuring all designs consistently reflect HCC's brand identity while also meeting specific project requirements.
• Meeting Tight Deadlines: Producing high-quality work within compressed timelines common in academic and event-driven environments.
• Staying Current with Technology: Keeping pace with evolving design software, digital trends, and production techniques.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Workshops and Training: Access to internal or external training sessions on new design software, techniques, or emerging design trends relevant to higher education marketing.
• Industry Conferences: Opportunities to attend design or higher education marketing conferences to network and learn best practices.
• Mentorship: Potential for mentorship from senior marketing or communications professionals within HCC.
• Skill Expansion: Developing expertise in specialized areas like web design, UX/UI principles, or motion graphics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges listed are common in operations roles that require managing multiple inputs and outputs with varying constraints. Growth opportunities are framed around skill enhancement and career progression within the operations of a creative function.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Operations Strategy & Methodology: "Describe your process for managing a design request from initial briefing to final delivery. How do you ensure quality and meet deadlines?" "How do you balance creative vision with institutional brand guidelines and strategic marketing goals?"
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: "Tell me about a time you had to work with a difficult client or stakeholder. How did you manage their expectations and deliver a successful design?" "How do you incorporate feedback from non-designers into your work?"
• Problem-Solving & Efficiency: "Describe a challenging design project you worked on. What were the key challenges, and how did you overcome them to achieve a successful outcome?" "How do you approach optimizing your design workflow for efficiency?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for Houston Community College specifically?" "How do you see your skills contributing to HCC's mission of providing education and workforce training?"
• "Based on your understanding of HCC, how would you approach designing materials for a community college audience?" "How do you ensure inclusivity and accessibility in your design work?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or by showcasing your strongest case studies first.
• Narrative: For each piece, clearly state the client/project goal, your specific role, the creative process, any challenges faced, and the final outcome. Quantify results if possible (e.g., "designed brochure that increased event attendance by X%").
• Process Demonstration: Be ready to walk through the steps of a project, from initial sketches or wireframes to final output, highlighting your problem-solving approach.
• Technical Proficiency: Be prepared to discuss the software and techniques you used and why.
• Conciseness: Present your work clearly and efficiently, respecting the interviewer's time.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just creative talent but also operational efficiency, project management capabilities, and strong stakeholder communication skills, all crucial for success in an institutional operations context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the HCC Taleo career portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and portfolio are tailored to highlight your experience with publication design, marketing collateral creation, and your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite.
• Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate your years of experience, relevant skills, and any experience in higher education. Use keywords from the job description like "graphic design," "publications," "marketing materials," and "Adobe Creative Suite."
• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on your design process, problem-solving skills, and how you collaborate with clients to achieve project objectives. Be ready to discuss your experience with deadlines and managing requests.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Houston Community College's mission, values, and current marketing efforts. Understand their brand identity and the types of publications they produce.

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

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