Not Authorized
You are currently not authorized to access this section.
Please contact your Administrator to change your authorization settings.
Please contact your Administrator to change your authorization settings.
Designer
Seeking a designer to pitching, plan, and design engaging and informative visuals across platforms
Chicago, IL
Job Description
The Role
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is seeking a designer to conceive and create visuals for multiplatform stories that serve the next generation of changemakers, across a range of topics.
The ideal candidate will have a track record of visual storytelling that engages and connects with people on digital platforms. From maps to interactives to posterized illustrations, this role will support storytelling that explains complex subjects in clear and compelling ways.
The person in this hands-on role will work creatively and collaboratively, with speed and accuracy, to brainstorm ideas, develop concepts, and produce distinctive visuals for web stories, newsletters, social media, data journalism, and videos. This job will be most meaningful to a visual thinker with a passion for experimentation, a drive for excellence, and a strong belief in the power of stories to change the world.
You will be attuned to the most pressing global concerns and able to spot ways to authentically respond with visuals that tell stories and extend our impact. Your work will help audiences explain the news to their friends, provide context in group chats, and actively engage in making the world more equitable.
This is a collaborative, hands-on team looking for a designer who is impeccably accurate, relentlessly curious, and who understands how to interest people in the important global events of the day.
The position is a hybrid role and requires occasional in-person attendance at our Downtown Chicago location based on work activities and peak seasons. The position reports to the Executive Editor.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, handicap or disability, marital status, military service or veteran status, genetic information, or for any other reason prohibited by applicable law.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
We are committed to weaving diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the fabric of the Council, and we believe people — their identities, experiences, beliefs, knowledge, and ideas — are critical to our success and to global affairs. We will elevate diverse voices and identities and a full range of perspectives, advance equitable and inclusive access to exploring and shaping ideas, and ensure our organization reflects the diversity of Chicago, our nation, and the world.
To learn more, visit: https://www.thechicagocouncil.org/about-us/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-council
Vaccination Statement
For the safety and well-being of our staff, the Council requires that all prospective employees submit proof of an up-to-date COVID vaccination and booster record or seek a reasonable accommodation for a religious or medical reason prior to their first day of employment.
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is seeking a designer to conceive and create visuals for multiplatform stories that serve the next generation of changemakers, across a range of topics.
The ideal candidate will have a track record of visual storytelling that engages and connects with people on digital platforms. From maps to interactives to posterized illustrations, this role will support storytelling that explains complex subjects in clear and compelling ways.
The person in this hands-on role will work creatively and collaboratively, with speed and accuracy, to brainstorm ideas, develop concepts, and produce distinctive visuals for web stories, newsletters, social media, data journalism, and videos. This job will be most meaningful to a visual thinker with a passion for experimentation, a drive for excellence, and a strong belief in the power of stories to change the world.
You will be attuned to the most pressing global concerns and able to spot ways to authentically respond with visuals that tell stories and extend our impact. Your work will help audiences explain the news to their friends, provide context in group chats, and actively engage in making the world more equitable.
This is a collaborative, hands-on team looking for a designer who is impeccably accurate, relentlessly curious, and who understands how to interest people in the important global events of the day.
The position is a hybrid role and requires occasional in-person attendance at our Downtown Chicago location based on work activities and peak seasons. The position reports to the Executive Editor.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Pitching, planning, and designing engaging and informative visuals that are timely and relevant across platforms, while using best practices to optimize for reach.
- Creating maps, infographics, charts, illustrations, data visualizations, interactives, and other visuals to tell stories and enhance understanding.
- Developing templates that reporters and producers could use for quick-turn visuals.
- Selecting images for stories, and coaching colleagues on image selection and best practices for improving our visual storytelling.
- Working quickly and collaboratively to produce engaging, accurate visuals on deadline.
- Maintaining a media library of visual assets for use across the team.
- Supporting special projects with visuals as needed.
- Ensuring that all visual assets adhere to the brand guidelines and maintain a consistent visual identity across different platforms.
- Taking a forward-looking, lab-like approach to testing new content and engagement ideas intended to build a diverse audience.
- Participating in the team’s diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies.
- Fostering cross-team collaborations in support of the Council’s digital transformation objectives and goals.
- Providing support for Council events (virtual, hybrid, or in-person), sometimes requiring early morning or evening hours. Examples may be production-related, registrations, ushering, greeting, monitoring social media channels, etc.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Bachelor’s degree is preferred
- Minimum of three years of graphic design experience for digital, at least two in a publishing context
- Exceptional visual sensibility, with comfort helping others think visually
- A good understanding of user-centered design principles and best practices in optimizing visuals for different platforms
- An understanding of when and how interactivity works best in storytelling
- An eye for detail, color, and aesthetics
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, especially Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
- Basic front-end developer skills using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
- A strong portfolio demonstrating proficiency in graphic design and diversity in visual storytelling
- Familiarity with Drupal, Canva preferred
- Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, visual arts, or a related field is preferred
- Collaborative, with proactive and inclusive interpersonal and communication skills
- Comfortable in the principles and practices of digital publishing
We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, handicap or disability, marital status, military service or veteran status, genetic information, or for any other reason prohibited by applicable law.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
We are committed to weaving diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the fabric of the Council, and we believe people — their identities, experiences, beliefs, knowledge, and ideas — are critical to our success and to global affairs. We will elevate diverse voices and identities and a full range of perspectives, advance equitable and inclusive access to exploring and shaping ideas, and ensure our organization reflects the diversity of Chicago, our nation, and the world.
To learn more, visit: https://www.thechicagocouncil.org/about-us/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-council
Vaccination Statement
For the safety and well-being of our staff, the Council requires that all prospective employees submit proof of an up-to-date COVID vaccination and booster record or seek a reasonable accommodation for a religious or medical reason prior to their first day of employment.
Job Summary
Employment Term and Type
Regular, Full Time
Salary and Benefits
There are many benefits to working at the Council, including a flexible remote/in-office work environment, half-day summer Fridays, paid parental leave, employer-subsidized medical/dental/vision insurance, generous paid time off, retirement match, mobile phone stipend, commuter accessible, fitness center membership, and more.
Required Education
Bachelor's Degree
Required Experience
3 to 5 years
Email this Job to Yourself or a Friend