Visual Communications Lead

About the Department

Ci3 is a research center at the University of Chicago addressing the social and structural determinants of adolescent sexual and reproductive health. At Ci3, we envision a world in which all youth emerge into adulthood with agency over their bodies and futures. Ci3 houses three labs: the Game Changer Chicago Design Lab, the Transmedia Story Lab, and the Design Thinking Lab. Within these labs, we create games, digital narratives, and design interventions with and for youth. Ci3 is committed to empowering young people, conducting innovative research, and uncovering opportunities for policy and systemic change. Ci3 is intentional in implementing principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion both internally and in our collaborations. Our team members, research partners, and the communities we serve reflect a wide range of values, cultures, identities, and backgrounds. The Ci3 Design Thinking Lab works with young people and healthcare providers to understand how sexual and reproductive healthcare could work better for adolescents in order to (co)design new approaches to sexual health care. We are looking to hire a Visual Communications Lead with graphic design experience and a keen interest in applying these skills to UX/UI design. Additionally, applicants must be committed to participatory and human-centered design research approaches as well as comfortable working on longer-term projects with many interconnected parts. This at-will position is wholly or partially funded by contractual grant funding which is renewed under provisions set by the grantor of the contract. Employment will be contingent upon the continued receipt of these grant funds and satisfactory job performance.

Job Summary

The job provides professional support and solves straightforward problems in audio visual related systems. The job coordinates the development and implementation of digital media and desktop and network-based technologies. This at-will position is wholly or partially funded by contractual grant funding which is renewed under provisions set by the grantor of the contract. Employment will be contingent upon the continued receipt of these grant funds and satisfactory job performance.

Responsibilities
  • Designing print media, digital and physical artifacts, brand identities.
  • Collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders-including other creatives, researchers, healthcare providers, non-profit organizations, and young people-in the (co)design of tools, products, and services.
  • Iteratively making and testing prototypes to further study and understand sexual and reproductive healthcare tools, products and services.
  • Supporting Ci3 teams in designing immersive participatory design research experiences that engage and empower stakeholders to improve sexual and reproductive care for young people.
  • Listening closely to end users, in particular young people ages 12-18 and healthcare providers, and making changes to patient- and/or provider-facing prototypes (e.g., adolescent-centered birth control patient support materials, et cetera) based on their feedback.
  • Collaborating with other designers to create internal and external communication materials which advance the discipline of design on behalf of Ci3.
  • Has a moderate/solid understanding and experience to support the planning, development and execution of audio-visual productions with moderate supervision.
  • Defines, develops, installs, operates and troubleshoots audio-visual systems, such as video conferencing, digital media and desktop and network-based technologies.
  • Performs other related work as needed.


Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:


Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:


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Preferred Qualifications

Education:
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Graphic Design, Communication Design, Interactive Design or equivalent degree.


Experience:
  • Professional graphic design experience across digital and print media.
  • Experience with UX/UI design.
  • Technical proficiency with Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop.
  • Production experience (final production knowledge or proficiency when producing deliverables for print, web and mobile).
  • Experience with Webflow, Figma, AdobeXD, and/or WordPress.
  • Interaction design experience.
  • Facilitation skills.


Preferred Competencies
  • Excellent command of composition, color, typography, and information hierarchy.
  • Attention to detail and a passion for experimenting with new ways to improve one's craft.
  • The ability to work in dynamic, often ambiguous conditions, requiring rapid transitions between collaborative and individual work.
  • Comfortable with wearing a variety of hats that may be considered beyond a traditional designer's role, but the reality of working as part of a small academic research center.
  • Strong commitment to asset-based approaches to adolescent health and development.
  • Interest in adolescent sexual and reproductive health.
  • Commitment to principles of diversity, equity and inclusion.
  • Project management.


Working Conditions:
  • Office Environment


Application Documents
  • Resume (required)
  • Cover Letter ( required)


When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Applicant Inquiry Form The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity /Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.