Graphic Design & Visual Storyteller

POSITION TITLE:

Graphic Design & Visual Storyteller DEPARTMENT:
Advancement SUPERVISOR:
Director of Advancement FLSA STATUS:
Half-time, non-exempt About Madison Children’s Museum

Play is a vital part of childhood development and central to our mission. Since 1980, Madison Children’s Museum has connected children with their families, their communities, and the world beyond through discovery, learning, and creative play. MCM’s unique programs and custom, artist-designed exhibits are widely recognized for excellence, leading to the museum’s regular ranking among the top children’s museums in the country.

Our team is composed of dedicated, professional individuals who take play and living our organizational values very seriously. We come from amazingly diverse backgrounds and are committed to the ideals of access, diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything we do, and in modeling environmental sustainability through our work.

The Graphic Designer & Visual Storyteller is a creative member of Madison Children’s Museum’s Advancement team, responsible for developing engaging visual experiences that advance the museum’s mission and connect children, families, educators, donors, and the broader community with the museum. The Graphic Designer and Visual Storyteller creates and manages visual materials and design direction across print, digital, environmental, and promotional platforms, and also works closely with the Exhibit team on exhibit graphic design, signage, caregiver guides, and environmental aesthetics as needed, to ensure a consistent vision and adherence to MCM’s brand standards.

The position requires a self-directed, motivated, and creative thinker with strong follow-through, initiative, and accountability. This position also requires working collaboratively with multiple staff departments, and external partners to translate ideas into compelling, accessible, and playful visual communications that enhance the museum’s image and attract prospective visitors, members, and donors.

• Works within the Advancement team (Development/Communications/Membership) to determine priorities, needs, audience, scope, and timelines for graphic projects.
• Participates in creative brainstorming and concept development for new initiatives.
• Conceptualizes and creates and graphics materials for advertising and communication purposes, such as (but not limited to) advertisements, program brochures, booklets, posters, programs, invitations, newsletters, calendars, annual reports, e-mail campaigns, and social media graphics, seeking the most cost-effective solutions that have distinct cohesive visual identities.
• Works with team to translate complex ideas into simple, compelling visual stories that support major initiatives, campaigns, events, exhibits, and programs.
• Schedules, processes and manages all collateral/artwork from inception to completion, manages workflow of deliverables, and ensures projects are completed on schedule, on scope and within budget.
• Frequent communication with outside vendors and printers; communication with photographers, illustrators, and other creative professionals as needed.
• With the communications team, supports digital asset management systems from museum events, programs, project development, and project completion, making them easily accessible. Works collaboratively to schedule photo shoots, video documentation, and other as needed.
• Completes visual design and ongoing graphics maintenance/updating of MCM online activities as necessary in consultation with the communication team.

• Ensures that all visual communications reflect the museum’s values, personality, and…