Program Graphic Designer - Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Program Graphic Designer - Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology

Company: Wayne State University

Location: Detroit, Michigan, United States

Job Type: Full Time, Regular Employee

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Administrative

Date Posted: April 24, 2026

Experience Level: Expert (7+ years), AI interpreted as 10+ years

🚀 Role Summary

• Responsible for the creation and execution of visual communications and media programs supporting research and programmatic initiatives, including Discovery to Cure and related outreach.

• Develops and maintains robust visual branding standards, graphic identities, logos, and templates to enhance the Center's visual presence across print and digital platforms.

• Designs and produces a wide array of digital and print materials such as newsletters, brochures, annual reports, presentations, social media content, and website graphics.

• Collaborates with faculty and leadership to translate complex scientific and programmatic content into clear, visually engaging formats, including advanced data visualization techniques.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the original description specifies "Expert (7+ years experience)" and AI interpreted this as "10+ years", the core responsibilities and expected advanced proficiency strongly suggest a need for a seasoned professional. The role involves significant autonomy in branding and content creation for research initiatives, requiring a deep understanding of visual communication for academic and scientific audiences.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and produce a diverse range of visual communications materials for the C.S. Mott Center, including digital and print publications like newsletters, brochures, annual reports, donor communications, and presentations.

• Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive visual branding standards and graphic identity for the Center, encompassing logos, templates, style guidelines, and new collateral to strategically modernize and strengthen its visual presence.

• Create and manage visual content for various social media platforms, designing posts, campaigns, and graphics that are strategically aligned with institutional messaging and designed for maximum audience engagement.

• Design, update, and maintain website content and visual layout for the Center and its affiliated labs, ensuring a high standard of accuracy, user-friendliness, and consistent visual appeal across all web platforms.

• Design and produce all event-related materials, including impactful signage, invitations, promotional graphics, and program collateral for seminars, symposia, and broader outreach initiatives to ensure cohesive event branding.

• Collaborate closely with faculty and leadership to effectively translate intricate scientific research and programmatic content into visually engaging and easily digestible formats, including sophisticated data visualization and compelling impact reports.

• Coordinate the production and seamless implementation of all visual communications and media projects, working collaboratively with internal stakeholders to guarantee timely delivery and strategic alignment with the Center's overarching priorities.

• Perform other related duties as assigned to support the Center's communication and outreach goals, demonstrating flexibility and a proactive approach to project needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a graphic designer who can operate with a high degree of autonomy, manage a broad spectrum of design projects, and strategically contribute to the Center's brand identity and outreach efforts. The emphasis on translating complex scientific information into visual formats points to a specialized skill set beyond general graphic design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• High school completion (or GED) is the minimum requirement.

• A Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Digital Media, or a closely related field is strongly preferred.

Experience:

• Expert level experience (established subject matter expert, 7+ years) is required.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in industry-standard design software, specifically Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop).

• Expertise in digital layout and web-based design platforms.

• Strong ability to design and produce a wide range of communications materials, including publications, marketing collateral, social media content, website graphics, and event materials.

• Demonstrated knowledge of professional graphic design principles, including typography, layout, color theory, and visual composition, with a keen ability to translate complex information into clear and engaging visual formats.

• Knowledge of digital media platforms, including website content management systems and social media channels, with a proven ability to create visually effective content tailored to specific audiences.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, essential for effective collaboration with faculty, leadership, and external stakeholders.

• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, effectively prioritize competing deadlines, and consistently deliver high-quality work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

• Strong organizational and project coordination skills, including the capacity to manage production timelines, liaise with stakeholders, and ensure the timely completion of all deliverables.

• Demonstrated problem-solving ability with meticulous attention to detail and an unwavering commitment to accuracy and quality in all design outputs.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within an academic or research institution, particularly within a medical or scientific department, is highly advantageous.

• Familiarity with data visualization tools and techniques beyond standard graphic design software.

• Experience with content management systems (CMS) for website updates.

• Basic understanding of scientific research concepts to better interpret and visualize complex data.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Expert (7+ years)" experience level, combined with the specific software proficiencies and the nature of the work (translating complex scientific content), indicates a role that requires seasoned professionals. The preferred qualifications suggest that candidates with experience in academic or research settings, and familiarity with data visualization, will have a distinct advantage.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio is essential, showcasing a diverse range of design projects across both print and digital media.

• The portfolio must demonstrate expertise in developing and maintaining consistent visual branding standards and graphic identities for organizations or initiatives.

• Include examples of translating complex information, particularly scientific or research-related content, into clear and engaging visual formats, such as infographics, data visualizations, and presentation decks.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate a systematic approach to project management, from initial concept and design development through production and final delivery.

• Provide examples of workflow processes used for managing multiple design projects with competing deadlines, including how prioritization and time management were handled.

• Illustrate how feedback from stakeholders (faculty, leadership) was incorporated into the design process to ensure alignment with project goals and institutional messaging.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role of this nature, a strong portfolio is paramount. It should not only display aesthetic skill but also evidence the candidate's ability to understand and visually communicate complex subject matter, manage brand consistency, and handle diverse project types within an academic research context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• As a Wayne State University employee, this position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package. While specific details are not listed in the job description, typical university benefits often include:
  • Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • Retirement Plan Contributions (e.g., 403(b) or 401(a) plans)
  • Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick Leave, Holidays)
  • Tuition Assistance for employees and/or dependents
  • Life Insurance and Disability Coverage

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time position, typically requiring 40 hours per week.

• The role is based in a normal office environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific, but it is important for candidates to note that this represents the "hire maximum" and that actual compensation may vary based on experience and qualifications within the defined range. The benefits are typical for a university setting, offering a stable package for employees.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education, Medical Research, Public University

Company Size: Wayne State University is a large, comprehensive public research university with a significant number of employees and students.

Founded: Wayne State University was founded in 1868.

Team Structure:

• The Program Graphic Designer will be part of the C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, within the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at the School of Medicine.

• This position reports directly to the Associate Director, Administration, indicating a direct line of management within the Center's administrative structure.

Methodology:

• The role is focused on applying professional graphic design principles and visual communication strategies to support the Center's research, educational, and outreach initiatives.

• Emphasis is placed on data visualization to translate complex scientific content, ensuring clarity and engagement.

• Brand management and consistency are key, requiring a systematic approach to developing and applying visual identity guidelines.

• Project coordination and workflow management are integral to ensuring timely delivery of design assets across multiple platforms.

Company Website: https://wayne.edu/ and https://research.med.wayne.edu/mott-center

📝 Enhancement Note: Wayne State University is a large, urban research institution with a mission focused on access, excellence, and community impact. The C.S. Mott Center operates within this framework, focusing on human growth and development research. The graphic designer will contribute to this mission by enhancing the visibility and impact of scientific research through compelling visual communications.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an "Expert" level graphic designer, indicating a senior individual contributor role focused on specialized design execution and brand stewardship rather than management. The responsibilities require a high degree of autonomy and subject matter expertise.

Reporting Structure: The position reports to the Associate Director, Administration, within the C.S. Mott Center. This suggests a reporting line that is more administrative than creative, meaning the designer will need to manage creative direction and execution while aligning with administrative and programmatic goals.

Operations Impact: The graphic designer's impact is crucial for enhancing the visibility, understanding, and perceived value of the C.S. Mott Center's research and outreach programs. Effective visual communications can:

• Improve the clarity and accessibility of complex scientific findings for diverse audiences (faculty, donors, public).

• Strengthen the Center's brand identity and professional image, potentially aiding in grant applications, fundraising, and recruitment.

• Increase engagement with outreach programs and educational initiatives through compelling digital and print materials.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in scientific data visualization, advanced digital media design for research communication, or user interface (UI) design for research-related platforms.

• Project Leadership: Take on lead design roles for major Center initiatives, symposia, or large-scale publications, gaining experience in managing design aspects of significant projects.

• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Expand network and influence by collaborating with other departments within the School of Medicine or across the university on joint communication projects.

• Mentorship: Potentially mentor junior designers or interns as the Center's design needs grow.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is an individual contributor, its "Expert" designation and focus on strategic visual communication for research provide significant opportunities for professional development and impact within a specialized field. Growth would likely come through increased responsibility on high-profile projects and specialization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Normal office environment. This suggests a standard professional workspace within the university's facilities.

Office Location(s): Detroit, Michigan, within Wayne State University's campus.

Workspace Context:

• The role operates within a university setting, likely offering access to standard office equipment, IT support, and potentially collaborative spaces.

• As a graphic designer, the workspace will require reliable access to high-performance computers equipped with the necessary Adobe Creative Suite software and other design tools.

Work Schedule:

• This is a full-time position, generally adhering to standard university business hours (e.g., 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday), totaling 40 hours per week.

• While the description mentions a "normal office environment," it's common in design roles for occasional flexibility or overtime to be required during critical project deadlines or event preparations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "normal office environment" and standard working hours suggest a structured work setting. Candidates should be prepared for a typical university operational rhythm, with potential for project-driven demands.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Applications will likely be reviewed for minimum qualifications (education, experience, software proficiency).

• Portfolio Review: A critical stage will involve evaluating the candidate's submitted portfolio for quality, relevance, and demonstrated skills in branding, layout, typography, and data visualization, particularly for academic or scientific content.

• Technical Interview: Expect questions assessing proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and design principles. This might include a technical test or a discussion of problem-solving approaches.

• Behavioral/Situational Interview: Candidates will be asked about their experience managing projects, collaborating with stakeholders (especially faculty), handling feedback, and working under deadlines.

• Final Interview: May involve meeting with the Associate Director, Administration, and potentially other key stakeholders from the Mott Center to assess cultural fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your experience in branding, print collateral, digital media (web, social), and, most importantly, your ability to visualize complex information.

• Highlight Scientific/Academic Work: If you have prior experience with scientific or academic clients, ensure these projects are prominently featured. Emphasize how you translated technical details into understandable visuals.

• Showcase Brand Consistency: Include examples that demonstrate your ability to develop and maintain a cohesive visual identity across multiple applications.

• Explain Your Process: For each project, briefly describe the challenge, your approach, the tools used, and the impact or outcome. This demonstrates your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking.

• Quality Over Quantity: A smaller, highly curated selection of your best work is more impactful than a large, unfocused collection.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your design process for specific types of materials (e.g., designing a brochure for a research initiative, creating social media graphics for an event, visualizing data for a presentation).

• Practice articulating how you would approach translating a complex scientific concept into a visual format. Think about potential challenges and how you would overcome them.

• Be ready to discuss your experience with Adobe Creative Suite and how you leverage its features for efficiency and quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is arguably the most crucial part of the application for this role. Candidates must clearly demonstrate their ability to meet the specific demands of designing for a research institution, which includes technical accuracy and clear communication of scientific information.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: This is explicitly stated and is the core requirement.

  • Adobe InDesign: For layout and print production (newsletters, brochures, annual reports).
  • Adobe Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, icons, and data visualization.
  • Adobe Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital assets.

• Web-based Design Platforms: Implies familiarity with tools or platforms used for web graphics, banners, and potentially basic web content management.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to this graphic design role, as the focus is on content creation rather than CRM management or marketing automation workflows. However, understanding how design assets are used within marketing campaigns could be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Mastery of the Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. Proficiency in InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop is fundamental. Familiarity with web design principles and platforms is also essential for creating digital assets.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence: A commitment to producing high-quality, visually compelling design work that upholds the reputation of Wayne State University and the C.S. Mott Center.

• Collaboration: The ability to work effectively with faculty, researchers, and administrative staff, incorporating feedback and fostering positive working relationships.

• Innovation: Applying creative solutions to translate complex scientific information into engaging and accessible visual communications.

• Detail-Oriented: Meticulous attention to detail in design execution, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and adherence to branding guidelines.

• Efficiency: Managing projects effectively to meet deadlines and deliver results in a timely manner, even with competing priorities.

Collaboration Style:

• The role requires a collaborative approach, working closely with subject matter experts (faculty) and leadership to understand project requirements and translate scientific content.

• Open communication and a willingness to incorporate feedback are key to ensuring the final designs meet the needs of various stakeholders.

• The designer will need to be a proactive communicator, managing expectations and providing updates on project progress.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely emphasizes professional rigor, academic integrity, and a shared mission of advancing research and education. The designer's ability to be both a creative force and a reliable team player will be critical.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complex Scientific Data: The primary challenge will be to effectively visualize intricate scientific research and data in a way that is accurate, engaging, and understandable to diverse audiences, including non-experts.

• Managing Stakeholder Expectations: Balancing the creative vision with the specific requirements and feedback from faculty, researchers, and administration, who may have varying levels of design understanding.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency Across Diverse Outputs: Ensuring that all visual materials, from print brochures to social media posts and website graphics, adhere to established branding guidelines and maintain a cohesive identity for the Center.

• Prioritizing Competing Deadlines: Juggling multiple design projects simultaneously for different initiatives (research, outreach, events) and ensuring timely delivery for each.

• Staying Current with Design Trends and Technology: Continuously updating skills and knowledge to incorporate the latest design software features and digital communication best practices.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialization in Scientific Visualization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in advanced data visualization techniques, potentially through workshops or online courses.

• Web and Digital Design: Further development in UI/UX principles for web graphics and digital content creation.

• Project Management Skills: Gaining experience in managing larger design projects, coordinating with external vendors if necessary, and improving workflow efficiency.

• University System Navigation: Understanding the broader communication and branding structures within a large public university.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to working in a specialized field like scientific graphic design. The growth opportunities focus on deepening specific design skills relevant to the academic research environment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate complex scientific information into a visual format. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your methodology, tools, and impact.)

• "How do you approach developing and maintaining brand consistency across different media (print, digital, social)?" (Highlight your understanding of brand guidelines and systematic application.)

• "Walk us through your process for designing a [e.g., brochure for a research initiative, social media campaign for an event]." (Demonstrate your workflow from brief to final delivery.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for Wayne State University and specifically the C.S. Mott Center?" (Research the Center's mission, recent achievements, and connect it to your skills.)

• "How do you see your design expertise contributing to the Center's research and outreach goals?" (Align your skills with their objectives.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or by showcasing your strongest branding work first.

• Narrative: For each project, be prepared to briefly explain: the client/objective, the challenge, your design solution, the tools used, and the results or impact.

• Highlight Key Skills: Explicitly point out examples that demonstrate your proficiency in InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, branding, data visualization, and digital design.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to provide a brief overview of your portfolio and then dive deeper into specific projects based on the interviewer's interest.

• Technical Readiness: Ensure your digital portfolio is easily accessible and loads quickly, or have high-resolution PDFs ready to share.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will be looking for not just technical skill but also strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to collaborate effectively within an academic research context. Your portfolio should be a visual narrative of your experience and capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Program Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Wayne State University talent portal (link provided in the original job posting).

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest and most relevant design projects, emphasizing those that demonstrate expertise in branding, print and digital collateral, and especially the visualization of complex information. Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite.

• Tailor Your Resume: Update your resume to highlight experience directly related to the job description, using keywords like "Graphic Design," "Visual Communications," "Branding," "Adobe Creative Suite," "Data Visualization," and "Project Coordination." Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Managed design for X number of publications," "Increased social media engagement by Y% through visual content").

• Prepare for Portfolio Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio, being ready to discuss your design process, challenges, and the impact of your work. Anticipate questions about translating scientific content visually.

• Research Wayne State University & C.S. Mott Center: Familiarize yourself with the university's mission, the School of Medicine, and the specific goals and research areas of the C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development. Understand their current visual presence to better articulate how you can contribute.

⚠️ 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.