Jr Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Jr Graphic Designer

Company: Baker College

Location: Royal Oak, Michigan, United States

Job Type: Full-Time Staff

Category: Marketing & Creative Operations

Date Posted: 2026-02-17

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in visually translating Baker College's refreshed brand platform and newly developed mascot into engaging print and digital designs, focusing on the student journey from inquiry to alumni.

• The Jr Graphic Designer will collaborate closely with the Art Director to conceptualize and execute creative assets across print, digital, motion graphics, and branding initiatives, ensuring a cohesive and student-centered brand experience.

• Key responsibilities include designing visually compelling graphics and layouts for advertising, websites, social media, video, email, and other marketing channels, while maintaining brand consistency, quality, and accessibility standards.

• The position requires meticulous preparation of files for both print and digital production, staying abreast of emerging design trends and technologies, and adapting to evolving project priorities in a dynamic marketing environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: While titled "Jr Graphic Designer," the detailed requirements for advanced image editing, illustration, motion graphics, video editing, and proficiency in the full Adobe Creative Suite (including After Effects) suggest a role that offers significant learning and growth potential, potentially bridging entry-level and mid-level responsibilities. The emphasis on supporting a "refreshed brand platform" and a new mascot indicates a strategic project where design execution is critical to brand evolution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Art Director to concept, design, and deliver engaging creative assets for print, digital, motion graphics, and branding initiatives, aligning with the college's student-first philosophy.

• Develop visually compelling graphics and layouts for various marketing channels, including but not limited to advertising campaigns, website content, social media posts, video elements, and email marketing communications.

• Ensure all creative output is consistently on-brand, adhering to established brand guidelines, quality standards, and accessibility requirements for diverse audiences.

• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously in a fast-paced marketing environment, prioritizing tasks effectively to meet deadlines and stakeholder expectations.

• Prepare and export accurate, production-ready files for both print and digital media, coordinating with external vendors and internal teams as needed.

• Stay current with industry design trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in graphic design, motion graphics, and digital marketing to inform creative strategies.

• Contribute creatively to the development and execution of campaign concepts and brand storytelling, particularly in bringing the new mascot to life.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of execution and collaborative ideation, emphasizing the designer's role in operationalizing the brand strategy. The need to support "advertising, websites, social media, video, email, and more" indicates a broad scope of work requiring versatility across different media and platforms.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

Required Skills:

• Advanced Image Editing & Retouching: Demonstrated proficiency in manipulating and enhancing images to achieve high-quality results.

• Custom Illustration: Ability to create original illustrations that align with brand aesthetics and project requirements.

• Motion Graphics & Video Editing: Experience in creating dynamic visual content, including animated graphics and basic video editing.

• Type Animation: Skill in animating typography for engaging visual presentations and media.

• Adobe Creative Suite Proficiency: Essential expertise in the full Adobe Creative Suite, including:

  • Photoshop: For image manipulation, compositing, and digital asset creation.
  • InDesign: For layout design of print materials like brochures, flyers, and reports.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, and illustrations.
  • After Effects: For motion graphics, visual effects, and complex animations.

• Google Suite & Microsoft Suite: Working knowledge of standard office productivity tools for collaboration and document management.

• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and external vendors.

Preferred Skills:

• Photography: Familiarity with photographic principles and practices.

• Digital Advertising Specifications: Understanding of design requirements and best practices for platforms like Meta (Facebook/Instagram), X (Twitter), LinkedIn, and YouTube.

• Email Marketing Platforms: Experience designing assets for email campaigns and familiarity with common email marketing tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "advanced" skills in specific areas like image editing and motion graphics, coupled with a Bachelor's degree requirement, suggests that while it's an entry-level title, candidates are expected to possess a solid foundational skill set. The "plus" skills indicate areas where candidates can differentiate themselves and demonstrate potential for rapid growth.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Visual Design Showcase: A curated collection of design projects demonstrating proficiency in print, digital, and motion graphics, highlighting the ability to translate concepts into compelling visuals.

• Brand Alignment Examples: Specific case studies or project examples that illustrate successful application of brand guidelines and the ability to maintain visual consistency across different media.

• Process & Workflow Documentation: Include examples of how you approached design challenges, the steps taken from concept to final deliverable, and any process improvements you identified or implemented.

• Technical Proficiency Demonstration: Showcase work that utilizes advanced features of Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and After Effects, particularly in image retouching, illustration, and motion graphics.

Process Documentation:

• Project Lifecycle Understanding: Demonstrate an understanding of the design project lifecycle, from brief and concept development through revisions, production, and final delivery.

• File Management & Organization: Provide evidence of organized file management practices for design assets, ensuring easy retrieval and version control.

• Collaboration & Feedback Integration: Examples of how you incorporated feedback from stakeholders and collaborated with team members during the design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Jr Graphic Designer role, the portfolio should emphasize foundational skills, creativity, and the ability to follow direction and brand guidelines. While formal process documentation might be less extensive than for senior roles, showing an understanding of the design workflow and how to collaborate effectively is crucial. The focus should be on the quality and diversity of visual output, alongside evidence of a structured approach to design tasks.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Including medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement Savings Plan: With potential employer match or contribution options.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, sick leave, and paid holidays.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, and continuing education to enhance design skills and stay current with industry trends.

• Tuition Benefits: Potential for employee tuition remission or discounts for Baker College programs.

• Wellness Programs: Initiatives to support employee well-being.

• Recognition Programs: Acknowledgment of contributions, aligning with the "Best and Brightest Workplaces" recognition.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, typically 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. While the position is on-site, there may be occasional flexibility required to meet project deadlines or attend specific events.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on current market data for similar roles in the specified location and experience level. Baker College's recognition as a "Best and Brightest Workplace" suggests a strong benefits package, and specific offerings are inferred based on typical educational institution benefits.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education (Private, Non-profit)

Company Size: Large (Over 1,000 employees)

Founded: 1911

Company Description: Baker College is an independent, private, non-profit institution committed to transforming education through technology, innovation, and a supportive learning environment. It offers associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees across six Michigan campuses and online.

Team Structure:

• The Jr Graphic Designer will be part of the Marketing team, reporting to the Art Director.

• This team likely comprises various marketing specialists, including content creators, digital marketers, and potentially other designers or production staff.

Methodology:

• Student-First Philosophy: This is the core guiding principle, influencing all decisions and actions to prioritize student success and experience.

• Data-Informed Creativity: While not explicitly stated, marketing teams increasingly leverage data to inform design choices and measure campaign effectiveness.

• Collaborative Design Process: Working closely with the Art Director and other stakeholders to ensure designs meet strategic objectives and brand standards.

• Brand Evolution: A current focus on implementing a refreshed brand platform and new mascot, requiring adaptable and creative design solutions.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Student-First" philosophy is a critical cultural element. Understanding this will be key for candidates to align their work and communication style with the institution's mission. The large company size implies structured processes and a potentially diverse range of projects.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Entry-Level Creative Role

Reporting Structure:

• The Jr Graphic Designer reports directly to the Art Director. This provides a clear line of mentorship and supervision.

Operations Impact:

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like motion graphics, illustration, or digital advertising design through project work and professional development.

• Career Progression: Potential to advance to a Graphic Designer, Senior Graphic Designer, or Art Director role within Baker College's Marketing department, or to specialize in related fields such as UX/UI design or brand management.

• Project Leadership: As skills develop, opportunities may arise to lead smaller design projects or take ownership of specific creative deliverables.

• Industry Exposure: Learning to apply design principles within the higher education sector, gaining valuable experience in a unique market.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path is clearly defined from "Jr" to more senior roles, underpinned by the opportunity to gain diverse experience across various marketing channels and learn from an Art Director. The emphasis on the "student-first" philosophy means that demonstrating alignment with this value will be critical for career progression.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site at a state-of-the-art campus.

Office Location(s): Royal Oak Campus, 420 S. Lafayette Ave, Royal Oak, Michigan 48067.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role requires close collaboration with the Art Director and other Marketing team members, suggesting an open or semi-open office layout conducive to teamwork and communication.

• Technology-Rich: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and hardware is expected, supporting the creation of high-quality visual assets.

• Student-Focused Atmosphere: Working within a college campus environment, the designer will be immersed in a setting dedicated to education and student development.

Work Schedule:

• The primary work schedule is Monday through Friday, aligning with standard business hours. Given the on-site nature, consistent presence is expected, though occasional flexibility may be accommodated for critical project needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "state-of-the-art" campus description implies modern facilities, which could include well-equipped design studios or shared creative spaces. Being on-site is crucial for direct collaboration and immersion in the college's culture.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of applications, resumes, and portfolios to assess qualifications and creative fit.

• Portfolio Review & Discussion: Candidates will likely present their portfolio to the Art Director and potentially other marketing team members, discussing their design process, problem-solving approaches, and how their work aligns with the college's brand and student-first philosophy.

• Skills Assessment/Design Challenge: A practical exercise may be administered to evaluate specific design skills, such as image editing, illustration, or motion graphics, under timed conditions.

• Behavioral & Cultural Fit Interview: Questions focused on collaboration, communication, adaptability, and understanding of the student-first mission.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a marketing leadership member to confirm fit and discuss the role's strategic importance.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your skills in print, digital, and motion graphics. Prioritize projects that demonstrate your ability to solve design problems and communicate effectively.

• Highlight Process: For each project, briefly explain the brief, your creative process, the tools you used, and the outcome. For the Jr role, showing your thought process is as important as the final output.

• Showcase Versatility: Include examples that demonstrate your proficiency with Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and After Effects. If you have experience with digital advertising specs or email marketing, highlight those.

• Brand Awareness: If possible, include a project where you worked within (or adapted to) existing brand guidelines. For this role, consider how you would approach designing for a higher education institution.

• Accessibility & Inclusivity: If your work demonstrates consideration for accessibility, mention it.

Challenge Preparation:

• Review Brand Guidelines: Familiarize yourself with current design trends in higher education and, if possible, review Baker College's existing branding (though they are refreshing it).

• Practice Core Software: Be ready to demonstrate proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and especially After Effects.

• Develop a Case Study: Be prepared to walk through a project from your portfolio, detailing challenges, solutions, and results.

• Articulate "Student-First": Think about how design can support and enhance the student experience at Baker College.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured to assess both technical design skills and the candidate's ability to integrate into the college's culture and mission. The portfolio is paramount, and candidates should tailor their presentation to demonstrate relevance to higher education marketing and the specific requirements of the role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Photoshop: Essential for image manipulation, retouching, and digital asset creation.
  • InDesign: Critical for layout and design of print collateral (brochures, flyers, reports).
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, icons, and custom illustrations.
  • After Effects: A key requirement for motion graphics, video editing, and type animation.

• Google Suite: For collaborative document creation, spreadsheets, and presentations (e.g., Google Docs, Sheets, Slides).

• Microsoft Suite: For standard office productivity tasks (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Analytics & Reporting (Familiarity Preferred):

CRM & Automation (Familiarity Preferred):

• Experience with or understanding of CRM systems (like Salesforce, HubSpot) and email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, Constant Contact) would be advantageous for understanding how design assets are deployed in broader marketing campaigns.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on the full Adobe Creative Suite, especially After Effects, is the most critical technical requirement. Proficiency here will heavily influence a candidate's suitability. Familiarity with Google and Microsoft Suites is standard but essential for day-to-day operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Student-First: Every action and design decision should ultimately serve the goal of enhancing the student experience and supporting student success.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on teamwork, open communication, and shared responsibility within the marketing department and across college divisions.

• Innovation: Encouraging creative thinking and the adoption of new technologies and design approaches to keep the college's brand fresh and engaging.

• Quality & Professionalism: Maintaining high standards in design execution, file preparation, and communication.

• Inclusivity & Belonging: Contributing to a culture where all students, faculty, and staff feel valued and respected, reflected in design choices.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership with Art Director: Close, iterative work with the Art Director for creative direction, feedback, and project management.

• Cross-Functional Engagement: Working with various departments to understand their needs and translate them into effective visual communications.

• Feedback-Oriented: An environment that values constructive feedback for continuous improvement of designs and processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: A willingness to share insights, techniques, and best practices within the marketing team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Student-First" philosophy is paramount and will likely permeate all aspects of the team's work. Candidates should be ready to articulate how their design work supports this core value.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Creative Expression: Ensuring all designs adhere to evolving brand guidelines while still being fresh and engaging, especially with a new mascot and refreshed platform.

• Managing Multiple Projects: Juggling various design requests from different departments with competing priorities and deadlines.

• Adapting to New Technologies: Staying current with rapidly changing design software and digital platforms requires continuous learning.

• Translating Complex Information: Visually communicating the value and offerings of an educational institution in an appealing and understandable way.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Software Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in After Effects, motion graphics, or other Adobe tools through workshops or online courses.

• Higher Education Marketing Insights: Gaining specialized knowledge in marketing strategies and design best practices within the education sector.

• Mentorship from Art Director: Direct guidance and feedback from an experienced creative professional.

• Exposure to Full Marketing Lifecycle: Understanding how design fits into broader marketing campaigns, from strategy to execution and measurement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a junior creative role but are amplified by the significant brand refresh initiative. The growth opportunities are substantial, especially given the employer's recognition and commitment to development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing a social media campaign to introduce Baker College's new mascot to prospective students?"

  • Preparation: Think about visual storytelling, engagement tactics (contests, Q&A), platform-specific design considerations (Instagram Stories vs. LinkedIn posts), and how to convey personality.

• "Describe your process for creating a brochure for a new academic program, from receiving the brief to final delivery."

  • Preparation: Outline steps like understanding the target audience, key messaging, information hierarchy, visual concept development, layout, image selection/creation, revisions, and print-readiness.

• "How do you ensure your designs are accessible and inclusive?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What does 'Student-First' mean to you in the context of graphic design for an educational institution?"

  • Preparation: Connect design choices to student experience, clarity of information, welcoming aesthetics, and supporting student success.

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your designs?"

  • Preparation: Emphasize a growth mindset, seeing feedback as an opportunity to improve, and effective communication to understand the rationale behind the feedback.

• "How do you stay updated on design trends and new software?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each project, present it as a mini case study. What was the problem or objective? What was your solution? What was the impact?

• Showcase Technical Skills: Be ready to briefly explain how you used specific tools (e.g., "I used Photoshop for advanced retouching here, and After Effects to create this animation sequence").

• Demonstrate Brand Understanding: If you have a project that shows adherence to brand guidelines, highlight it. If not, discuss how you would approach understanding and applying Baker College's new brand.

• Be Enthusiastic and Professional: Convey your passion for design and your eagerness to contribute to Baker College.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview questions are designed to gauge both creative problem-solving skills and cultural alignment. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their design process, technical abilities, and how their work will support Baker College's mission and values.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Jr Graphic Designer position at Baker College:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Baker College Careers Page.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and cover letter highlight your relevant skills and experience, particularly your proficiency with the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, After Effects), motion graphics, and illustration. Tailor your resume to emphasize keywords from the job description.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly list your educational qualifications, including your Bachelor's degree. Quantify achievements where possible, even for academic projects.

• Portfolio Preparation: Prepare a digital portfolio that showcases your best work in print, digital, and motion graphics. Organize it logically and be ready to present specific projects during the interview process, explaining your process and tools used.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Baker College's mission, values, and student-first philosophy. Look for examples of their current marketing efforts and consider how your design work can enhance their brand.

⚠️ 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.