The USC School of Architecture is seeking an experienced and creative Art Director to lead the design of all materials and visual media produced for the school. The Art Director will work with faculty and school departments to advise, create, and execute design standards and solutions to visual media objectives, create unique design and branding for events and initiatives that set the school apart with a clear, consistent, and compelling visual identity. The position will supervise people and work produced on a project basis, monitoring the effectiveness and quality of final work produced.
It is an exciting time to join the school as we work to revitalize our school branding, initiate new strategic initiatives, and enhance our academic programs. The candidate must be a creative leader in innovative design for the architecture and allied fields, working collaboratively within our design community.
Responsibilities
- Leads the design, strategy, art direction, and overall execution of all creative design projects according to the school’s visual brand identity.
- Leads in creating and maintaining a consistent and compelling visual brand identity across all media and publication.
- Generates ideas and visual concepts and conducts presentations to stakeholders.
- Acts as the liaison between the creative department and school stakeholders.
- Produces effective campaigns for projects and creative initiatives, ensuring a high standard of visual execution across all media and campaigns.
- Develops strategies for effective communications of assigned projects and workflows to deliver work within determined deadlines.
- Consults with and advises faculty/staff regarding visual media services.
- Reviews the work of creative teams and provides direction and feedback.
- Schedules, assigns, and prioritizes workloads of staff or freelancers, which may include designers, photographers, administrative support, etc.
- Ensures timely completion of publications and projects.
- Designs art and copy layouts for materials and media across all departments of the school such as illustrations, publications, graphs, charts, brochures, certificates, flyers, posters, slide presentations, etc.
- Works with advertising and/or marketing representatives to integrate copy and graphics most effectively. Determines size and arrangement of illustrations and copy. Selects type style and size. Arranges layout according to space availability and using knowledge of layout principles and design concepts.
- Produces a variety of freehand artwork or original art styles (e.g., drawings, illustrations, logograms, etc.).
- Analyzes and evaluates current and potential vendors, such as printers and freelancers. Reviews, modifies scope of work agreements, and makes recommendations and specifications for bids.
- Develops, manages, and administers department and/or project-specific budgets.
Knowledge and Skills
- Possesses thorough understanding of digital media and evolving online platforms.
- Thorough knowledge of design software and media to produce original designs, drawings, illustrations, video, and graphics.
- Knowledge of user experience, website utilization, responsive and motion design.
- Expertise in photography, typography, and printing.
- Knowledge of social media management, editorial design, desktop publishing systems, and latest art and design packages.
- Ability to communicate effectively to support ideas and concepts.
- Demonstrated creativity to generate original ideas and visual concepts.
In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words, and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values of integrity, excellence, diversity, equity, and inclusion, well-being, open communication, and accountability.
The annual base salary range for this position is $103,517.83 - $115,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.
Minimum Education:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
Minimum Experience:
- 7 years
- Combined education/experience as substitute for minimum experience
Minimum Field of Expertise:
- Possesses thorough understanding of digital media and evolving online platforms.
- Knowledge of user experience, website utilization, responsive and motion design, photography, typography, and printing.
- Ability to communicate effectively to support ideas and concepts.
- Demonstrated creativity to generate original ideas and visual concepts.
- Knowledge of social media management, editorial design, desktop publishing systems, and latest art and design packages.
USC is a smoke-free environment.
USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.
USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.
Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.
For reasonable accommodations or questions about the application or hiring process, please contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100 or by email at uschr@usc.edu.
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