Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Graphic Specialist Assistant
💰 $45,000 - $60,000
🎯 Role Definition
We're looking for a passionate and ambitious Graphic Specialist Assistant to join our vibrant creative team. In this role, you will be an essential support system for our Senior Graphic Specialists and Art Directors, contributing directly to the creation and execution of a wide range of visual marketing and communication materials. You will help bring our brand's story to life across digital and print platforms, ensuring consistency, quality, and creativity in every project. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience, refine your technical skills, and grow your career in a fast-paced, supportive setting.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- Graphic Design Intern
- Freelance Designer
- Marketing Assistant with a design focus
Advancement To:
- Graphic Specialist / Graphic Designer
- Visual Designer
- Senior Graphic Specialist or Art Director
Lateral Moves:
- Marketing Coordinator
- UX/UI Designer
- Social Media Content Creator
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Assist the senior design team in the conceptualization and execution of creative assets for marketing campaigns, including digital ads, social media content, and email newsletters.
- Create and adapt visual designs for various digital platforms, ensuring proper formatting and optimization for web, mobile, and social media channels.
- Support the production of print materials such as brochures, flyers, event signage, and product packaging by preparing and pre-flighting files for printers.
- Develop and format engaging presentations for internal meetings, sales pitches, and external stakeholder communications using PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Keynote.
- Maintain and organize the company's digital asset management (DAM) system, ensuring all logos, photos, brand guides, and completed projects are correctly tagged and archived.
- Perform photo retouching, color correction, and image manipulation to enhance visual assets for use across multiple media.
- Collaborate with the marketing and content teams to ensure all visual elements are aligned with brand guidelines and campaign objectives.
- Design and resize graphics for our company website, landing pages, and blog, working closely with the web development team.
- Assist in the creation of motion graphics, simple animations, or short video clips for social media and promotional content.
- Conduct research on current design trends, competitor branding, and industry best practices to contribute fresh ideas to the team.
- Update and revise existing design files and marketing collateral as requested, ensuring accuracy and brand consistency.
- Support the layout and design of internal communication materials, including company-wide announcements, training documents, and internal newsletters.
- Prepare mockups and prototypes of new design concepts to help visualize and present ideas to stakeholders for feedback.
- Manage a queue of design requests from various departments, prioritizing tasks and communicating timelines effectively to ensure deadlines are met.
- Participate in brainstorming sessions and creative workshops to contribute to the overall direction of new projects and campaigns.
- Ensure all final designs are visually appealing, on-brand, and free of errors before delivery or publication.
- Create templates for frequently used documents and graphics to improve team efficiency and maintain brand consistency.
- Assist with the coordination of photoshoots or video shoots, including prop sourcing, location scouting, and on-set support.
- Liaise with external vendors, such as printers and agencies, to communicate project specifications and ensure high-quality output.
- Develop compelling iconography, illustrations, and other custom graphic elements that enhance our brand’s visual language.
- Manage the library of stock photography and illustration subscriptions, tracking usage and sourcing new assets as needed.
Secondary Functions
- Provide administrative support to the creative department, such as scheduling meetings, taking notes, and tracking project expenses.
- Assist in compiling and designing case studies and portfolio pieces that showcase the team's successful projects.
- Contribute to the ongoing evolution and documentation of our company's visual brand guidelines.
- Monitor social media and competitor channels for visual inspiration and report on noteworthy trends or campaigns.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- Adobe Creative Suite: High proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is essential.
- Typography & Layout: Strong understanding of typographic principles, hierarchy, and composition.
- Color Theory: Solid knowledge of color theory and its application in creating visually appealing and on-brand designs.
- Print & Digital Production: Experience with preparing files for both print (CMYK, bleed, crop marks) and digital (RGB, resolution, file formats) outputs.
- Presentation Design: Proficiency in creating polished presentations in Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, and/or Apple Keynote.
- Digital Asset Management (DAM): Experience with organizing and maintaining a library of creative files.
- Prototyping Tools (Preferred): Familiarity with Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD for UI/UX collaboration.
- Video/Motion Graphics (A Plus): Basic skills in Adobe After Effects or Premiere Pro are highly desirable.
- Microsoft Office Suite: Competency in Word and Excel for project-related tasks.
- HTML/CSS (A Plus): A basic understanding of front-end web technologies is a significant advantage.
- Project Management Software: Familiarity with tools like Asana, Trello, or Jira for tracking tasks and collaborating with teams.
Soft Skills
- Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to design, ensuring accuracy and quality in all outputs.
- Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to articulate ideas and collaborate effectively.
- Time Management: Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Adaptability & Receptiveness to Feedback: Eagerness to learn, grow, and incorporate constructive criticism into your work.
- Creativity & Problem-Solving: A strong creative flair with the ability to find innovative visual solutions.
- Teamwork & Collaboration: A positive, collaborative attitude and a strong desire to support the team's goals.
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
- Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
Preferred Education:
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or a related discipline.
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Graphic Design
- Visual Arts
- Marketing Communications
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range: 1-3 years of relevant experience, including internships, freelance work, or a full-time position in a creative environment.
Preferred: A strong portfolio showcasing a variety of design projects across both print and digital media is required. Experience working within a corporate brand identity or in an agency setting is a plus.