Visual Designer (Graphic Designer)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Visual Designer (Graphic Designer)

Company: Western Governors University

Location: Salt Lake City, UT, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Education

Date Posted: June 11, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in the creation of engaging digital content for instructional media, focusing on visual design and multimedia production within an educational technology context.

• The Visual Designer will lead, manage, and coordinate multiple projects, ensuring successful implementation and alignment with course, departmental, and university strategic goals.

• Key responsibilities include staying abreast of trends in graphic design, animation, scripting, and storyboarding to produce high-quality graphics, videos, animations, and other multimedia assets for online courses.

• The position requires a creative individual who thrives on tackling challenges, continuous learning, and improving institutional methods and practices within the realm of digital learning experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within Western Governors University, a leader in competency-based online education. The emphasis on "instructional media" and "online courses" suggests a direct impact on the student learning experience and a need for designers who understand educational pedagogy and engagement strategies, not just aesthetic appeal. The "Professional 306" grade and pay range indicate a mid-level to senior individual contributor role.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Produce high-quality graphics, videos, animations, documents, and other multimedia assets for online courses, ensuring adherence to brand guidelines and instructional design principles.

• Lead and manage multiple creative projects simultaneously, from conception to completion, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with course, departmental, and university objectives.

• Stay current with emerging trends, innovations, and research in instructional media, particularly in graphic design, animation, scripting, storyboarding, and wireframing, and apply this knowledge to enhance course materials.

• Collaborate closely with stakeholders in Program Development and instructional designers to improve the learning experience and overall design of online courses.

• Identify, evaluate, and recommend appropriate software programs, tools, and external vendors to support multimedia production needs.

• Manage projects within the learning experience platform, ensuring smooth integration and functionality of created assets.

• Perform other related duties as assigned to support the broader instructional media and digital learning initiatives of the university.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative execution, project management, and strategic collaboration. The expectation to "improve learning and design of courses" emphasizes a focus on pedagogical effectiveness rather than just aesthetic output. The management of projects within a "learning experience" platform suggests familiarity with Learning Management Systems (LMS) or similar educational technology environments.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in animation, graphic design, digital media, or a relevant field.

• An advanced degree without experience is also considered. Experience:

• Minimum of 2+ years of related experience (or an advanced degree without experience).

• 3 years of experience working in graphic design, animation, multimedia, or a related field.

• Successful creative project management experience.

• Experience with shooting and/or editing video.

• Audio production or voice-over experience is a plus.

• Experience with instructional design and learning design principles.

• Experience designing online courses or digital learning experiences. Required Skills:

• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite: After Effects, Premiere, Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign.

• Strong graphic design and animation skills and conceptual understanding.

• Demonstrated ability in shooting and/or editing video.

• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to multitask and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Strong listening, written, and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to work independently with self-initiative and self-motivation, as well as collaboratively as part of a team. Preferred Skills:

• 5–7 years of experience in graphic design, animation, multimedia, or a related field.

• Experience working in higher education, specifically in an online or competency-based learning environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required experience level (2-3 years minimum, with preferred 5-7 years) and the specific software proficiencies (Adobe Creative Suite) position this as a mid-level to senior role. The emphasis on instructional design and online course creation indicates a need for candidates who can translate educational objectives into engaging visual content, rather than just creating marketing or brand assets.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing a diverse range of visual design, graphic design, and animation projects.

• Evidence of successful creative project management, demonstrating ability to handle projects from concept to completion.

• Examples of multimedia assets created for online courses or digital learning experiences, highlighting instructional design considerations.

• Demonstrations of video shooting/editing capabilities and audio production skills, if applicable.

• Case studies illustrating how design choices directly contributed to learning objectives or improved engagement in educational contexts. Process Documentation:

• Examples demonstrating the workflow for creating instructional multimedia assets, from initial brief to final delivery.

• Documentation of how you stay current with trends and incorporate new technologies or techniques into your design process.

• Evidence of collaboration with instructional designers or subject matter experts to refine course content and design.

• Examples of how you manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines within a team or organizational structure.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on instructional media, the portfolio should explicitly showcase work relevant to education and online learning. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their process for creating assets that support learning outcomes, not just aesthetic appeal. Demonstrating project management skills within the portfolio is crucial, as the role involves leading and coordinating multiple projects.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $60,300.00 - $90,500.00 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Bonuses

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

• Telehealth and Mental Healthcare services

• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

• Basic and Voluntary Life Insurance

• Disability Coverage (Short-term and Long-term)

• Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Supplemental Coverages

• Legal and Identity Theft Coverage

• Retirement Savings Plan (e.g., 401k or similar)

• Wellbeing Program

• Discounted WGU Tuition for employees

• Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) with no accrual needed

• Flexible Paid Sick Time with no accrual needed

• 11 Paid Holidays per year

• Up to 12 weeks of paid Parental Leave

Working Hours: 40 hours per week (Full-Time Regular Position)

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a mid-level Visual Designer in Salt Lake City, UT, considering the specialized nature of instructional media design within higher education. The comprehensive benefits package reflects WGU's commitment to employee well-being and professional development, with particular emphasis on flexible time off and educational benefits.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education / Online Education / EdTech

Company Size: WGU is a large university, with employee counts typically in the thousands, indicating a stable and established organization with significant resources. This scale suggests structured processes and opportunities for specialization.

Founded: WGU was founded in 1997, pioneering the competency-based education model. This history means the company has a deep understanding of online learning and a culture built around innovation in educational delivery.

Team Structure:

• The Visual Designer likely sits within a larger department focused on Instructional Design, Curriculum Development, or Media Production.

• This team will collaborate closely with instructional designers, subject matter experts, and possibly learning technologists.

• The reporting structure would likely be to a manager or director overseeing educational content development or media services. Methodology:

• WGU's core methodology is competency-based education, meaning the focus is on demonstrating mastery of skills and knowledge rather than seat time. This influences the design of instructional materials to be clear, measurable, and effective.

• Data analysis is crucial for understanding student performance and identifying areas for improvement in course design and media.

• Workflow planning and optimization are essential for efficient production of high-quality learning content at scale.

• Automation and efficiency practices are likely employed to streamline content creation and delivery processes.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: WGU's mission-driven culture is centered on student success and expanding access to education. This implies a workplace that values dedication, innovation, and a proactive approach to problem-solving, especially within the context of online learning and educational technology.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as "Professional 306," indicating a skilled individual contributor with a significant level of responsibility and autonomy, typically above entry-level but not management. It implies a focus on specialized technical and creative skills.

Reporting Structure: The Visual Designer will report to a manager or director within a department like Curriculum Development or Instructional Media. They will collaborate extensively with instructional designers and other content creators, forming a project-based work structure.

Operations Impact: The Visual Designer's work directly impacts the student learning experience by creating engaging and effective instructional materials. High-quality visuals and multimedia can improve comprehension, retention, and overall student satisfaction, contributing to WGU's mission of student success and graduation rates.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in advanced animation techniques, video production, interactive media development, or emerging instructional technologies.

• Specialization: Focus on specific areas like UI/UX for educational platforms, motion graphics for complex concepts, or advanced video editing for engaging course content.

• Leadership Potential: Transition into roles like Lead Visual Designer, Instructional Design Manager, or Project Manager for curriculum development, mentoring junior designers and overseeing larger initiatives.

• Cross-functional Roles: Move into instructional design, learning experience design, or even roles within marketing or communications that leverage visual design skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Professional 306" grading suggests a pathway for growth within the individual contributor track, allowing for increased complexity and impact without necessarily moving into people management. The emphasis on educational technology and competency-based learning provides a unique niche for career development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role at the Salt Lake City office. WGU's office environment is likely professional and collaborative, designed to support the administrative and creative functions of a large online university.

Office Location(s): Salt Lake City, UT. This location provides access to a growing tech and education sector in the region.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely include a dedicated desk with a powerful computer setup optimized for creative software (Adobe Creative Suite).

• Opportunities for collaboration with colleagues in instructional design and media production will be frequent, fostering a team-oriented approach to content development.

• Access to necessary software, hardware, and potentially a media production studio or equipment.

• A professional atmosphere that supports focused work on design projects while also encouraging interaction and feedback.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected, with the possibility of some flexibility given WGU's emphasis on flexible PTO. However, the on-site requirement means adherence to office hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is on-site, WGU's nature as an online university might mean the office environment is designed to simulate or support remote collaboration tools, even for those physically present. This suggests an environment that values both focused individual work and efficient team communication.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will likely review applications and conduct a brief phone screen to assess basic qualifications and interest.

• Portfolio Review: Candidates will be asked to submit a portfolio. This is a critical step where your work will be evaluated for creativity, technical skill, and relevance to instructional media.

• Technical/Skills Interview: Expect an interview focused on your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, animation, video editing, and your understanding of instructional design principles. This may include technical questions or challenges.

• Case Study/Project Presentation: You may be asked to present a specific project from your portfolio, detailing your process, challenges, solutions, and the impact of your design. Alternatively, a hypothetical design challenge might be presented.

• Behavioral/Cultural Fit Interview: Interviews with hiring managers and potential team members will assess your collaboration style, problem-solving approach, self-motivation, and alignment with WGU's mission and values.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader or department head for final approval.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 4-6 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your skills in graphic design, animation, video editing, and instructional content creation. Prioritize work that shows your ability to translate complex information into clear, engaging visuals.

• Showcase Process: For each project, include a brief explanation of the objective, your role, the tools used, your design process, challenges faced, and the outcome. Quantify results where possible (e.g., "improved user engagement by X%").

• Highlight Instructional Design Relevance: If you have experience creating assets for online courses, learning modules, or educational platforms, make sure these are prominently featured. Explain how your design choices supported learning goals.

• Video & Audio Samples: If you have strong video editing or audio production skills, include well-produced samples.

• Be Ready to Discuss: Prepare to speak in detail about your portfolio pieces, your design philosophy, how you handle feedback, and how you adapt to new technologies and trends.

Challenge Preparation:

• Practice Adobe Suite: Be ready for questions or tasks involving your proficiency in After Effects, Premiere, Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.

• Understand Instructional Design Basics: Familiarize yourself with concepts like learning objectives, learning styles, engagement strategies, and accessibility in online courses.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Prepare to discuss how you would approach designing for specific learning challenges or how you would troubleshoot a design issue. Think about how to simplify complex topics visually.

• Company Mission: Research WGU's mission, values, and competency-based education model. Be ready to articulate how your skills and passion align with their goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio review and potential design challenges underscores the practical, skill-based nature of this role. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate their creative output and their ability to apply design principles within an educational context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency required in After Effects (for animation and motion graphics), Premiere (for video editing), Illustrator (for vector graphics), Photoshop (for image editing and manipulation), and InDesign (for document layout and publishing).

• Video Production Equipment: Familiarity with cameras, lighting, and audio recording equipment for potential shooting of video assets.

• Audio Editing Software: Experience with audio production tools for voice-overs, sound design, and editing.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly stated as a primary responsibility, familiarity with analytics tools used to track engagement with digital content (e.g., LMS analytics, web analytics) could be beneficial for understanding the impact of created assets.

• Learning Management System (LMS): Experience with platforms like Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, or WGU's proprietary system for understanding how content is integrated and delivered to students.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the core design function, but understanding how content is managed and deployed via learning platforms is key.

• Project Management Software: Familiarity with tools like Asana, Trello, Jira, or Wrike for managing project timelines and tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technology stack is heavily focused on the Adobe Creative Suite, reflecting the industry standard for visual design and multimedia production. Experience with learning platforms is a significant plus given the educational context of the role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Student-Centricity: Every action and design choice should ultimately support the student's learning journey and success in achieving their educational goals.

• Innovation: A drive to explore new technologies, design trends, and creative approaches to make online learning more engaging and effective.

• Collaboration: Working effectively with instructional designers, subject matter experts, and other team members to achieve shared objectives.

• Excellence: A commitment to producing high-quality, polished, and professional multimedia assets that reflect positively on WGU.

• Efficiency: Streamlining design processes and workflows to maximize productivity and impact.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The Visual Designer will work closely with instructional designers to bring course content to life visually, ensuring designs align with pedagogical goals and learning objectives.

• Feedback Exchange: An open culture for giving and receiving constructive feedback on design work to ensure the best possible learning outcomes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share design best practices, new techniques, and creative solutions with team members.

• Proactive Communication: Regularly communicating project status, potential roadblocks, and creative ideas to stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: WGU's mission-driven nature suggests a culture that values purpose and impact. The emphasis on collaboration and feedback is crucial for a role that integrates creative output with educational strategy.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complex Concepts: Effectively visualizing and simplifying complex academic or technical concepts into easily understandable graphics and animations for a diverse student audience.

• Balancing Creativity with Constraints: Meeting project deadlines and adhering to instructional design requirements and university brand guidelines while maintaining creative freedom and innovation.

• Adapting to Evolving Technologies: Staying current with rapid advancements in design software, animation techniques, and educational technology platforms.

• Managing Multiple Stakeholder Needs: Collaborating with various departments and individuals who may have different visions or priorities for course content.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Software Training: Access to courses or workshops to master new features in Adobe Creative Suite or explore complementary software.

• Instructional Design Principles: Opportunities to learn more about adult learning theory, curriculum development, and effective online pedagogy.

• Emerging Media Trends: Participating in webinars, conferences, or online courses focusing on new trends in motion graphics, interactive media, and educational video production.

• Project Leadership: Taking on lead roles for larger or more complex multimedia projects, gaining experience in team coordination and strategic planning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a creative role within a structured educational environment, requiring a blend of technical skill, creative problem-solving, and adaptability. The growth opportunities are aligned with deepening technical expertise and expanding into more strategic or leadership-oriented roles within the educational technology landscape.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to simplify a complex concept visually for an educational audience. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, problem-solving, and ability to communicate complex ideas.)

• "How do you stay current with graphic design and animation trends, and how do you decide which new techniques to incorporate into your work for instructional media?" (Demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning and strategic application of new skills.)

• "Walk us through your process for creating a short animated explainer video for an online course. What are the key stages, and who do you typically involve?" (Highlight your project management skills and understanding of the instructional design workflow.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about WGU's competency-based education model, and how do you see your role as a Visual Designer contributing to its success?" (Show your research and alignment with WGU's mission.)

• "Describe your ideal team environment and how you prefer to collaborate with instructional designers and other content creators." (Assess your fit with WGU's collaborative culture.)

• "How do you approach receiving and incorporating feedback on your creative work, especially when it comes from individuals with different levels of design expertise?" (Evaluate your adaptability and professionalism in handling critiques.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Impactful Projects: Choose 3-4 key projects that best showcase your animation, video editing, and graphic design skills relevant to education.

• Tell a Story: For each project, explain the problem, your solution (your design choices), the tools you used, and the impact or results. Quantify outcomes if possible.

• Emphasize Instructional Design: Clearly articulate how your design choices supported learning objectives, improved engagement, or enhanced understanding for students.

• Be Concise and Clear: Practice your presentation to be within the allotted time, ensuring your explanations are easy to follow.

• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design choices, challenges, and how you would approach specific scenarios relevant to WGU's courses.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just creative talent but also an understanding of educational principles and WGU's unique learning model. The ability to articulate one's process and impact is key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link: https://wgu.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/External/job/Salt-Lake-City-UT/Visual-Designer--Graphic-Designer-_JR-025373

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight instructional media and online course design projects. If direct experience is limited, showcase projects that demonstrate your ability to translate complex information into clear, engaging visuals and animations.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly lists your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (After Effects, Premiere, Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), your experience with video/audio production, and any relevant instructional design or higher education experience. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, your understanding of educational technology, and your contributions to student learning. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research WGU's mission, values, and competency-based education model. Understand how their approach to higher education differs and how your visual design skills can support this unique model.

⚠️ 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.