SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION
Personnel Commission
CLASS TITLE: Graphic Designer
DESCRIPTION OF BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To perform professional graphic artwork in the design and creation of a wide variety of complex materials, illustrations, and publications for the Santa Clara County Office of Education and its clients. This job class is responsible for the independent design and production of brochures, newsletters, displays, charts, diagrams, transparencies, promotional materials, web pages, and other publication projects.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Graphic Designer performs at an advanced journey level. A Graphic Designer requires technical knowledge and specialized skill in graphic design, theory, and practice. Employees in this job class receive limited supervision within a broad framework of policies and procedures. Employees in this job class possess technical knowledge and oversee graphic projects from concept to completion. Employees in this job class may assign, direct, review the work of, and provide technical guidance to others in a lead capacity. Consequently, it is expected that not all duties listed below may be performed on a regular basis and that primary emphasis may also differ from area to area.
This class differs from the journey level Graphic Design Specialist in that incumbents of the ladder skillfully prepare specialized reports, documents, and publications that incorporate graphic artwork and publishing elements requiring graphic design skills, artistic translation abilities, and full knowledge of communications theory.
ESSENTIAL TYPICAL DUTIES
Plans, prepares, designs, and executes the design and publication of professional graphic artwork, including but not limited to brochures, newsletters, displays, charts, graphs, maps, diagrams, transparencies, promotional materials, and web pages
Designs, organizes and lays out the content of publications, selects types styles, and makes suggestions to improve and clarify headline/body copy
Processes completed artwork and layouts to a mastered format on the appropriate media (disk or cartridge, web archive, or service bureau format for output to negatives and positives) in preparation for reproduction
Confers with communications, publications, and print shop staff to coordinate production of graphic materials, ensuring service efficiency
Consults with clients, employees, and other departments requesting artwork, in the creation, planning and development of graphic design materials and projects
Prepares detailed specifications and costs estimates for productions; ensures conformance to those specifications and costs
Designs and provides layouts of two- to four-color and multi-page publications, presentations, and reports for both print and the web
Oversees, monitors, and coordinates photography services and operations
Maintains image library and graphic design, artwork, and publication archive
Researches and remains abreast of innovative theories, practices, and techniques related to graphic design
May assign, direct, and review the work of staff assigned to assist with projects
May design and prepare graphics for television studio settings
Performs related duties as assigned.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Knowledge of:
Principles and techniques of communications and graphic design theory including graphic art, design and illustration
Basic graphics delivery and implementation software
Applicable copyright laws relative to the use of graphic and textual materials
Art direction, project planning and management principles, practices, methods, and techniques
Production techniques and processes
Applicable software programs including, but not limited to, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, QuarkXPress, web page authoring tools, and HTML, PageMaker, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and other software programs
Computer hardware systems and peripheral equipment including, but not limited to, digital camera scanners, and CD recorders
Pre-press techniques and troubleshooting
Proper English usage, spelling, grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, and sentence structure
Principles and practices of providing outstanding customer service.
Ability to:
Work in a variety of media formats including broadcast and compressed video, and web site design
Demonstrate an understanding of marketing communications
Demonstrate consultative and persuasive skills including subject matter expertise in key instructional or promotional areas requiring graphic communications support
Apply creativity in skillfully preparing graphic artwork
Effectively plan, design, layout, and create visual elements for publications, brochures, maps, posters, reports, exhibits, displays, web pages, and other public information materials
Recommend methods of visual presentations including theme, style, and format
Develop and consolidate ideas of design and presentation under pressure
Work productively and efficiently in both a team environment as well as independently with limited supervision
Prepare specifications and estimate costs for large-scale graphic design projects, and oversee graphic design project budgets
Skillfully use computer graphics software and interactive technologies including a thorough understanding of file formats and peripheral software (e.g., printing, scanning, film recording)
Research and remain abreast of innovative materials, methods, and techniques as related to graphic design
Communicate effectively in both oral and written form
Skillfully edit and proof graphic artwork
Establish and maintain a cooperative work relationship with those contacted in the course of assigned duties.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Generally, any combination of education and experience that could provide the required knowledge and abilities is considered qualifying. A typical method of demonstrating these qualifications would be:
• Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university with coursework in graphic design or a related field; a Bachelor’s degree is preferred; and
• Three years of increasingly responsible experience in graphic art and design including one-year experience in web-based graphic design using web authoring software and HTML.
BARGAINING UNIT: Office, Technical, and Business Services (OTBS) Unit
WORKING CONDITIONS: Duties are primarily performed in an office environment while sitting at a desk or desktop computer. Incumbents are subject to interruptions and demanding deadlines. Occasionally must drive to vendors and other locations to conduct work.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: An employee in this class must sit for long periods of time, use hands and fingers to operate a desktop computer keyboard or other equipment; reach with hands and arms. Must see, hear, and speak at normal levels. On occasion, will move and transport objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
Date: 8/86
Personnel Commission Approval: 12/15/87
Revised: 12/15/87; 03/23/00; 01/2002 (Pending)