Part-time Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Part-time Graphic Designer

Company: Blackhawk Technical College

Location: Janesville, Wisconsin, United States

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: Marketing & Communications Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-11

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Conceptualize, design, and create marketing print and digital collateral to support the College mission and strategic plan.

• Collaborate with various departments to produce marketing materials that enhance the image, brand, and reputation of Blackhawk Technical College.

• Manage project workflows and ensure timely delivery of high-quality design assets.

• Maintain knowledge of industry best practices and recommend continuous improvements in design processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is explicitly part-time and a contractor position, indicating a need for flexible, project-based support rather than full-time, permanent headcount. The focus on "marketing print and digital collateral" suggests a need for a designer proficient in both traditional and digital design mediums, with a strong understanding of brand consistency across various channels.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Execute the layout and design of promotional materials and publications, ensuring strict adherence to the College's image and brand standards.

• Proactively seek and integrate multicultural perspectives into all marketing collateral to ensure inclusivity and broad appeal.

• Stay abreast of current industry best practices in graphic design and marketing, and propose actionable recommendations for process enhancements.

• Meticulously organize and maintain a digital archive of completed projects and essential image resources for easy retrieval.

• Foster strong collaborative relationships with diverse departments across the College to develop marketing pieces that effectively meet organizational objectives.

• Implement robust workflow management and project tracking systems to prioritize tasks and consistently meet established deadlines.

• Diligently track all projects using the designated department project management tool.

• Develop a thorough understanding of the print production process, including file preparation techniques to ensure seamless collaboration with the print center for all printed projects.

• Coordinate effectively with stakeholders for the implementation and management of digital and static signage displays across campus.

• Conduct on-campus photography sessions of campuses, faculty, and staff as required for marketing and communication initiatives.

• Provide essential backup support to other members of the Marketing and Communications team as needed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of creative execution, project management, and interdepartmental collaboration. The mention of "multicultural perspectives" and "brand standards" highlights the importance of sensitivity and consistency. Tracking projects via a "department project management tool" and understanding the "print process" are key operational aspects for a designer in this role, suggesting a need for organizational skills beyond pure design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Associate Degree in Digital Marketing, Graphic Design, or a closely related field.

Experience: Minimum of two years of dedicated, related Graphic Design experience.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in industry-standard design software:

  • Adobe Creative Suite/Creative Cloud: InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat.
  • Microsoft Office Suite: Word, PowerPoint.

• Expertise in font utility programs.

• Demonstrated proficiency in both Mac and PC operating platforms.

• Strong creative page layout skills for both print and digital/web marketing applications.

• Proven ability to manage competing priorities effectively while maintaining meticulous attention to detail.

• Competence in digital photography.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with diverse stakeholders. Preferred Skills:

• Digital photography, animation, or video editing skills.

• Experience with brand management and ensuring brand consistency across various media.

• Familiarity with project management tools and methodologies.

• Understanding of digital marketing principles and strategies.

• Experience working within an educational institution or similar organizational structure.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications clearly delineate core technical skills in design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and standard office applications (Microsoft Office). The emphasis on both Mac and PC proficiency, coupled with advanced layout skills for print and digital, points to a versatile designer. Digital photography is listed as a requirement, with animation/video editing as a preferred skill, suggesting a breadth of creative capabilities desired. The "Ability to communicate and work with diverse stakeholders" underscores the importance of soft skills in this collaborative role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a diverse range of design projects demonstrating proficiency in both print and digital mediums.

• Include examples of marketing collateral, such as brochures, flyers, social media graphics, web banners, and internal communications.

• Highlight projects that adhere to specific brand guidelines and showcase an understanding of brand consistency.

• Present at least one project that demonstrates the ability to integrate multicultural perspectives or cater to diverse audiences.

• Feature examples of file preparation for print production, if possible, showing an understanding of print-ready formats. Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your personal workflow and process for taking a design project from brief to final delivery.

• Explain how you manage project timelines, prioritize tasks, and communicate progress to stakeholders.

• Describe your approach to incorporating feedback and revisions from clients or supervisors.

• Articulate your methods for organizing digital assets and maintaining project files.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a graphic design role, a strong portfolio is paramount. This section infers that the portfolio should not only showcase design aesthetic but also process, adherence to brand guidelines, and an understanding of diverse audiences and print production. The "Process Documentation" aspect suggests interviewers will probe into the candidate's working methodology, emphasizing project management and client collaboration skills.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $21.85 - $27.00 per hour. This range is based on the provided salary data and reflects an hourly rate for a part-time, contractor position. The exact compensation will depend on the candidate's experience, skill set, and the specific projects assigned.

Benefits:

As a part-time contractor position, standard employee benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans are typically not provided. Specific benefits may include:

• Flexible work schedule, allowing for part-time hours.

• Opportunity to gain experience with a reputable educational institution.

• Potential for ongoing project work based on performance and college needs.

• Access to college facilities or resources as agreed upon for project completion.

Working Hours: Part-time, with the total hours to be determined based on project needs and college requirements. The role is on-site.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is clearly defined per hour. Given it's a contractor role, the absence of traditional benefits like health insurance and paid time off is expected. The "working hours" are explicitly part-time and on-site, requiring the candidate to be available during college operating hours for collaboration and project execution.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education (Community College System).

Company Size: Blackhawk Technical College is part of the Wisconsin Technical College System, which operates multiple campuses and serves a broad student population. While specific employee numbers for the college itself aren't provided, it's a significant public institution.

Founded: Blackhawk Technical College was established in 1967, evolving from a vocational school to a comprehensive technical college. This history suggests a culture rooted in practical education, workforce development, and community service.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will likely be part of the Marketing and Communications department, which may include specialists in content creation, digital media, public relations, and marketing strategy.

• Reporting will be to a Marketing Manager or Director, who oversees the department's strategic direction and project assignments.

• Collaboration will be a key aspect, involving frequent interaction with various academic departments, administrative offices, and student services to understand their design needs. Methodology:

• The Marketing and Communications team likely operates with a focus on data-informed decision-making, using analytics to gauge the effectiveness of marketing campaigns.

• Workflow planning and optimization are crucial, especially for a part-time role, ensuring efficient use of resources and timely project completion.

• Automation practices may be employed for routine tasks, but the core of this role involves manual creative design work.

Company Website: http://www.blackhawk.edu/

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Blackhawk Technical College's mission as a public community college is vital. The culture likely emphasizes accessibility, student success, and workforce readiness. The Marketing and Communications team's role is to support these objectives through effective branding and outreach. The part-time nature of this role suggests it's designed to supplement existing team capacity for specific design needs.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is an entry-to-mid-level graphic design position, focusing on execution within established brand guidelines. It's an operational support role within the Marketing and Communications function, requiring consistent output of design assets.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report to a manager or director within the Marketing and Communications department. This structure allows for clear direction, feedback, and project allocation.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's impact is measured by their ability to produce visually appealing and effective marketing materials that enhance the College's brand perception, support recruitment efforts, and communicate key information to students, faculty, and the wider community. High-quality design directly contributes to the professionalism and reach of the College's communications.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Expansion: Opportunity to expand design skills into animation, video editing, or advanced digital marketing design through project exposure.

• Portfolio Development: Build a robust portfolio with diverse projects for a respected educational institution, enhancing future career prospects.

• Industry Exposure: Gain experience within the higher education sector, understanding its unique marketing challenges and communication strategies.

• Networking: Develop professional relationships within the Marketing and Communications team and across various College departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a part-time contractor role, there are growth opportunities focused on skill enhancement and portfolio building. The "Operations Impact" is tied to the effectiveness of the visual communication produced, which directly supports the college's broader goals. The growth potential lies more in skill acquisition and project experience rather than a direct hierarchical promotion within this specific contract.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site role at Blackhawk Technical College's Janesville campus. This implies a traditional office environment within an educational institution.

Office Location(s): 6004 S County Rd G, Janesville, WI 53546.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely be within the Marketing and Communications department, offering a collaborative environment with colleagues.

• Access to necessary hardware (Mac or PC), software, and potentially photography equipment will be provided or expected as part of the role.

• Opportunities for interaction with other team members will be present, facilitating project discussions and feedback sessions.

Work Schedule: Part-time, on-site. The specific daily or weekly schedule will be negotiated and dependent on project demands and college operational needs. Flexibility may be offered within the on-site requirement, but core availability during business hours will likely be necessary for collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is a key factor. This means the candidate must be able to commute to Janesville, WI. The workspace context suggests a standard office setting within a college, emphasizing collaboration and access to design resources. The work schedule's flexibility is within the part-time, on-site framework.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Application and resume review to assess qualifications against the job requirements.

• Portfolio Review: Candidates will be asked to submit a portfolio showcasing relevant design work. This is a critical step to evaluate creative skills and technical proficiency.

• Interview Stage: Likely includes an interview with the hiring manager (e.g., Marketing Director) and potentially other team members. This stage will assess communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit.

• Skills Assessment (Optional): A small design exercise or challenge might be given to evaluate practical skills in a timed setting.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase 5-8 of your strongest, most relevant projects. Quality over quantity.

• Highlight Process: For each project, briefly explain the brief, your role, your design process, and the outcome or impact.

• Demonstrate Versatility: Include examples of both print and digital work, showcasing your ability to adapt to different media and objectives.

• Brand Adherence: If possible, include projects where you successfully worked within strict brand guidelines.

• Technical Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates mastery of the required software (Adobe Creative Suite).

• Organization: Present your portfolio in a clean, easy-to-navigate format (e.g., PDF, personal website).

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss your approach to a hypothetical design brief for the college.

• Practice articulating your design decisions and how they align with marketing objectives and brand standards.

• Prepare to discuss your experience with project management and meeting deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process heavily emphasizes the portfolio. Candidates must be prepared to not only show their work but also explain the rationale and process behind it. The potential for a design challenge means practicing quick problem-solving and execution is advisable.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud:

  • InDesign: Essential for layout and publication design (brochures, flyers, reports).
  • Illustrator: Crucial for vector graphics, logos, icons, and illustrations.
  • Photoshop: Key for image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.
  • Acrobat: For PDF creation, editing, and preparation for print/digital distribution.

• Microsoft Office Suite:

  • Word: For incorporating text into designs and basic document preparation.
  • PowerPoint: For designing presentations and visual aids.

• Font Utility Programs: For managing and utilizing various typefaces effectively.

Analytics & Reporting: While not a primary tool for this role, understanding how design impacts engagement metrics (e.g., click-through rates on digital ads, readership of publications) is beneficial. Familiarity with basic analytics dashboards might be helpful for context.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to this graphic design role, but awareness of how marketing materials integrate with CRM or marketing automation platforms (e.g., email templates) is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable, with specific mention of InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop. Microsoft Office is also a core requirement. The mention of "font utility programs" indicates attention to detail in typography. While not direct tools for design, a basic understanding of how designs are used in broader marketing technology stacks (analytics, CRM) is beneficial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Execution: A commitment to producing high-quality, visually appealing designs that meet or exceed expectations.

• Brand Stewardship: A dedication to upholding and enhancing the Blackhawk Technical College brand through consistent and professional visual communication.

• Collaboration and Service: A willingness to work closely with various departments, understanding their needs and providing effective design solutions as a service.

• Efficiency and Reliability: A focus on managing time effectively, meeting deadlines, and delivering projects reliably.

• Continuous Improvement: An openness to learning new design techniques and adapting to evolving industry standards.

Collaboration Style:

• Responsive and Communicative: Actively engage with team members and stakeholders, providing updates and seeking clarification as needed.

• Team-Oriented: Support the broader goals of the Marketing and Communications team, offering assistance and sharing knowledge.

• Feedback-Driven: Open to constructive criticism and revisions, viewing them as opportunities to improve the final output.

• Proactive: Anticipate potential design needs and offer solutions before being asked, where appropriate.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at an educational institution like Blackhawk Technical College often emphasizes service, community, and a commitment to its mission. For this role, values like design excellence, brand integrity, and collaborative problem-solving will be key. The collaboration style should be professional, responsive, and geared towards supporting the college's objectives.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Multiple Projects: Managing a diverse workload with competing deadlines for various departments.

• Interpreting Diverse Needs: Translating varied requests from different stakeholders into cohesive and effective design solutions.

• Adhering to Brand Guidelines: Consistently applying college brand standards while still allowing for creative expression.

• Keeping Pace with Design Trends: Continuously updating skills and knowledge to incorporate modern design aesthetics and technologies.

• Remote Collaboration (if any): Effectively collaborating with stakeholders who may not be physically present, requiring strong digital communication.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Software Proficiency: Deepen expertise in Adobe Creative Cloud tools and explore new features or related software.

• Design Specialization: Develop skills in specific areas like motion graphics, UI/UX design for web, or advanced digital photography.

• Understanding Higher Education Marketing: Gain insight into the unique marketing strategies and challenges specific to the educational sector.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Work on impactful projects that can significantly boost your professional portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are standard for a creative role supporting multiple stakeholders. The growth opportunities are focused on direct skill development and domain expertise relevant to the role and industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a design project from initial brief to final delivery. How do you ensure it meets the client's needs and aligns with brand standards?" (Focus on workflow, communication, and brand adherence.)

• "How do you prioritize your workload when you have multiple projects with competing deadlines? Can you provide an example?" (Highlight project management and time management skills.)

• "Imagine you're asked to design a promotional flyer for a new academic program. What steps would you take, and what questions would you ask the department to ensure a successful outcome?" (Assess problem-solving, stakeholder engagement, and design strategy.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working as a graphic designer for an educational institution like Blackhawk Technical College?" (Show genuine interest in higher education and the college's mission.)

• "How do you incorporate feedback and revisions into your design work?" (Demonstrate a collaborative and open attitude towards feedback.)

• "How do you stay current with design trends and new technologies?" (Show commitment to professional development.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: For each project, tell a story: the problem, your solution, and the result.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate.

• Technical Detail: Be prepared to briefly discuss the software and techniques used for specific projects.

• Relevance: Highlight projects that best match the requirements of this specific role (print, digital, marketing collateral).

• Conciseness: Be ready to present your portfolio effectively within a given timeframe.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a structured design process, strong communication skills, and a clear understanding of how design supports organizational goals. The portfolio presentation is critical and should be practiced thoroughly.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this part-time Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Blackhawk Technical College careers portal.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight graphic design experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office, and any experience in higher education or marketing collateral creation. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Designed 15+ marketing pieces per semester").

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, well-organized, and showcases your best relevant work. Include a mix of print and digital designs, and be ready to articulate your process for each piece.

• Research Blackhawk Technical College: Familiarize yourself with the college's mission, values, current marketing efforts, and brand guidelines. This will help you tailor your application and interview responses.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse how you will present your portfolio and discuss your design process, focusing on clarity, conciseness, and alignment with the role's requirements.

⚠️ 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.