2. To fulfil your duties, what knowledge, skills and specialized techniques are required? How would each be normally acquired? How long would it take to become proficient in each of the areas of your work?
This position requires the completion of a 3-year Graphic Design program from a college or university that includes a high level of creativity and familiarity with all aspects of print production and how design is translated to a digital environment, or equivalent training plus experience.
The following skills and abilities are acquired through a minimum of 3-5 years’ experience:
- Proficiency in industry-standard graphic design, layout, image editing, motion graphics, and digital production software used in print and digital communications environments, with the ability to adapt to evolving tools and technologies. A sound working knowledge of MS Office Suite (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Adobe programming (e.g. Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Premier Pro, After Effects)
- Familiarity with basic web design and content management
- Familiarity with AI-enabled design and productivity tools used to support layout, formatting, accessibility checks, and quality review, in accordance with established standards.
- Experience organizing and maintaining photo and video assets within shared storage or asset management systems.
- Working knowledge of accessibility and inclusive design principles as applied within legislative and institutional guidelines.
- Strong organizational skills to produce and manage graphic design initiatives from conception to the final artwork, including production and pre-press details
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, with some requiring greater discretion; while most projects can be recurring on an annual basis, many arise with a short timeline for completion.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to think creatively
- Strong written and oral customer-focused communication skills
- Ability to problem solve when responding to program, client or supplier needs
- The incumbent must maintain their knowledge of new developments in the areas of graphic design and marketing by reviewing all available sources of information, including articles, competitive websites, attending conferences, etc. This also includes monitoring and recommending new software developments that may enhance design execution across various platforms.
3. Is it necessary in this position to oversee the work, or to instruct other staff? If so, what does this involve?
The incumbent coordinates production schedules on a variety of projects. The incumbent also shares expertise with colleagues on design techniques and trends, which may take the form of ad hoc guidance. Advice and clarification may be sought regarding the application of official brand identity standards, including feedback on design materials submitted by campus partners. This position does not oversee the work of others.
4. What other people must you deal with in this job and why? (i.e. is there direct contact with students, teaching staff, other departments, and people outside the university community).
The incumbent works mainly in University Relations and may occasionally interact with internal university clients on specific recurring projects, freelance designers, or attend meetings with others across the university.
5. How is your work assigned to you and how closely is your work checked by someone else?
The Senior Director, Brand sets the overall goals, key messages, and timelines for the team. The Director provides work direction to the incumbent based on these goals, and under general supervision, the incumbent must align visual creation to key messages, offer a few options before moving to final development, and prioritizes multiple demands.
6. a) Are the sorts of problems encountered in this job usually covered by established procedures or do you frequently have to develop or invent solutions to problems yourself?
There are standard principles that Graphic Designers apply to each project, as well as the requirement to work within the official University Brand Guidelines. Working within those principles, the incumbent applies established graphic design principles and brand standards to resolve design challenges, seeking direction from the Senior Director, Brand when issues fall outside standard practice.
b) Are you involved in establishing standard procedures? (Give examples)
The incumbent follows established production procedures and may provide input or suggestions related to templates, workflows, and design documentation as requested.
7. a) What is the size of your department (i.e. #of classes for which you are involved with labs., # of students, # of staff you might come in contact with, # of technicians in department).
The incumbent reports to the Senior Director, Brand and is a member of the broader Integrated Communications team consisting of approximately 19 staff; Integrated Communications is one area within University Relations. The incumbent works on various university-wide initiatives and most of the incumbent’s interactions will be within University Relations, except on recurring campaigns, where there is limited interaction with staff across the various faculties and units.
b) What kind of equipment or material are you responsible for? Are you solely responsible for it and what is its approximate value?
The incumbent works with department computers, external backup hard drives, printers, photo scanners, a colour calibrator, etc. with an approximate value of $15,000.
8. Give details of any unusual factors affecting this job? i.e. hazards, unusual working conditions, requirement for a high degree of manual dexterity etc.
9. Do you have any general comments about this position which may not be covered by the preceding questions?
This position supports the consistent application of Queen’s University’s visual identity by providing design services, templates, and guidance within established frameworks and under the direction of the Marketing and Brand leadership.
