Institute for Contemporary Art Creative Designer

Advertising Summary: The Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) invites applications for the position of Creative Designer.

Unit: Institute for Contemporary Art MBU

Department: Institute for Contemporary Art

Department Summary: Designed by Steven Holl Architects and located at the corner of Broad and Belvidere, the Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA) at VCU presents the art of our time and provides an open forum for dialogue and collaboration across the region and throughout the world. With free admission, the ICA is a major resource for VCU, Richmond, and beyond.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Departmental Overview

Designed by Steven Holl Architects and located at the corner of Broad and Belvidere, the Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA) at VCU presents the art of our time and provides an open forum for dialogue and collaboration across the region and throughout the world. With free admission, the ICA is a major resource for VCU, Richmond, and beyond.

Within this context, the ICA is seeking a talented designer to join the Communications & Public Engagement team. This team seeks to enhance the ICA’s mission and brand through digital engagement, storytelling, editorial strategies and public relations, raising awareness of the ICA’s local, regional and international reputation. The Creative Designer will set the tone for designed content for the website, social media, ads, as well as videos and photography. Through compelling marketing and communications campaigns and projects, the team engages audiences and public in ways that embody the ICA’s mission to listen, create, and make art public.

Job Overview Statement

You'll be responsible for producing content that matches the company's brand, aesthetic, and marketing strategy, including social media graphics, email templates, website design, exhibition support, and promotional design needs. The ideal candidate should be able to efficiently combine creativity, functionality, and technology to produce engaging content. In this role, organizational and technical skills are key, and ideal candidates must possess in-depth knowledge of digital design and design software programs.

The person in the role will work closely with the ICA’s curatorial and exhibitions teams, artists, the development team, communications colleagues in the VCUarts Office of Communications, the facilities and experience design teams, the director of the community media center, and external web design, print, and installation vendors.

Creative Designer Responsibilities:

• Designing, producing, and managing visual assets, including email templates, social media, promotional artwork, web design, ads, and digital productions
• Collaborating with all internal departments to ensure that all designs align with the brand guidelines, while also meeting usability and website standards
• Ensuring consistency in designs and content across all institutional platforms, and development of sub-brands as needed for programs and events
• Collaborating with external designers to execute design briefs and produce materials for exhibitions, programs, and events
• Coordinating the creation of a new website with an external vendor, and a strategy for long-term maintenance of web content and design assets
• Managing design projects from conception through delivery within a project management system
• Design and production management of print materials
• Print and production of physical materials, including signage for interior and exterior of building, exhibition labels, etc.
• Assist on video shoots and photoshoots
• Develop and manage relationships with external vendors and agencies
• Presenting design ideas to all the relevant stakeholders, including colleagues, curators and artists
• Providing guidance and feedback on the aesthetic for campaigns, projects, and promotional events
• Mentoring design interns and students

Consideration Process and Instructions:

For best consideration, application materials due by Monday, May 11.

• Provide a link to samples of previous design work to showcase experience and creativity

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in graphic design, or a related field plus 3+ years of experience in a professional design role or an equivalent combination of education, technical training, and professional experience
• Solid knowledge of Google Suite and design software programs
• Excellent working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, with an emphasis on InDesign
• Working knowledge of web design
• Ability to clearly present design ideas and concepts for campaigns and projects
• A team player with exceptional organizational, collaboration, and technical skill
• Project Management experience
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within Asana software
• Experience with video editing software and animation
• Experience physical production (including printing, mounting, binding, lamination)
• Museum, corporate or agency experience

Salary Range: Minimum starting salary $65,000.

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid

University Job Title: 1322B - Communications Specialist Base

Contact Information:
Contact Name: VCUarts HR
Contact Email: artshr@vcu.edu