Assistant Art Director or Art Director, University Communications

University Communications is the strategic communications department for the University of Virginia. We are writers, editors, spokespeople, marketers, designers, photographers, video producers, social media and operations experts, web developers and more. We unite our skills for effective, engaging communications and marketing to showcase UVA as a model of excellence in higher education.

We inform. We inspire. And we serve as stewards of the University's iconic brand, showing how UVAimproveslives within our own community, across the commonwealth of Virginia and beyond.

University Communications seeks an Assistant Art Director or Art Director to join the Brand Studio supporting the UVA brand to create high-quality design work and provide art direction in support of broad University priorities. Reporting to the associate creative director, the assistant art director or art director translates strategy into clear, effective, accessible, and on-brand visual approaches across digital and print media.

The role owns assignments, contributes to larger campaigns, and integrates the visual work of photographers, video producers, illustrators, vendors, and other creative partners with guidance on higher-complexity initiatives.

• Concept, design and deliver content for marketing, digital, licensing, environmental usages across print and digital media for a range of audiences and platforms.
• Translate communication strategy and organizational goals into original visual concepts, coherent design systems and polished executions.
• Provide art direction for assigned photo, video, illustration, animation, and environmental design components; develop mood boards, visual references, shot concepts and production guidance.
• Own assignments and lead small-to-medium projects from brief through final delivery, including production details, file preparation, coordinating creative and internal review, coordination with internal production partners and vendors, version control, and proper cataloguing and archiving of files.
• Apply advanced layout, typography, composition, color and asset-selection skills to articulate the University brand in fresh, effective and accessible ways.
• Use and interpret University graphic standards and style guides; recommend practical refinements when needs arise to improve consistency or usability.
• Collaborate with writers, developers, photographers, video producers, designers, marketing professionals, licensing partners and University stakeholders.
• Present multiple concepts and design rationales to project teams and partners, integrate feedback and guide work toward agreed communication goals.
• Prepare production-ready files, coordinate with internal vendors to ensure proper reproduction of work.
• Track day-to-day work, manage several assignments concurrently and deliver work on schedule and within established budgets.

• Strong command of design principles and current digital and print practices, including typography, layout, composition, color theory, image selection and production.
• Knowledge of digital accessibility requirements and accessible design principles.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, particularly InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
• Proficiency with project management software such as Asana or similar.
• Working knowledge of Figma and Microsoft Office.
• Demonstrated ability to develop concepts, articulate strategic thinking and design rationale and maintain high visual standards within an established brand.
• Experience owning projects from concept through final production, including knowledge of prepress, printing and proofing.
• Ability to collaborate and provide visual direction to photographers, illustrators, video producers or other creative partners on assigned work.
• Collaborative, deadline-driven work style; sound judgment; attention to detail and ability to manage competing priorities.
• Experience with responsive web design, HTML/CSS or website prototyping and wire framing.

• Experience with user experience/interface design.
• Experience with illustration, environmental graphics, data…