Graphic Designer

Description

The Living Desert

Job Description

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Department: Marketing and Communications

Exemption: Non-Exempt

Reports to: Creative Services Manager

Supervises: None

The Opportunity:

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens seeks a talented and versatile Graphic Designer to bring our conservation mission and visitor experiences to life through compelling visual design. This role combines creative excellence with brand stewardship, requiring both artistic vision and meticulous attention to detail across print, digital, environmental, and experiential design applications. You'll own The Living Desert's visual identity style guide, ensuring consistent and impactful application of our brand across all touchpoints. This position offers the unique opportunity to design for both mission-driven conservation and attendance-driving communications to attract over 600,000 guests annually.

Position Summary:

The Graphic Designer is a critical member of the Creative Services team within the Marketing Department, responsible for creating designs for a diverse range of projects including advertising campaigns, exhibit signage, member publications, direct mail packages, digital content, wayfinding systems, and promotional materials. Reporting to the Creative Services Manager, you will execute compelling visual designs while maintaining brand excellence across all marketing and communications touchpoints. This position requires proficiency across multiple design disciplines - equally comfortable designing large-scale exhibition graphics as crafting email and social media templates, always with an eye toward brand consistency and strategic communication.

The ideal candidate is a creative problem-solver with strong design fundamentals, proficiency across advertising, print, digital, and environmental design, and a portfolio demonstrating range, creativity, and polish. You should have a genuine passion for storytelling, communications, and wildlife conservation, with the ability to translate complex conservation science into accessible, inspiring visual communications.

Responsibilities:

As Graphic Designer you will:

Design Execution Across All Channels:

• Create compelling visual designs for print materials including brochures, flyers, advertisements, posters, direct mail, annual reports, and member publications (particularly FoxPaws magazine)
• Design digital assets for social media, email campaigns, website graphics, and digital advertising across multiple platforms
• Develop exhibition graphics, interpretive signage, and educational materials that engage and educate visitors
• Design wayfinding systems, building identification, campus maps, and animal identification signage
• Create promotional materials for events, programs, and annual traditions such as WildLights or traveling exhibits such as Mission: Pollination!
• Design donor recognition materials and fundraising collateral
• Produce templates and design systems for recurring communications

Brand Stewardship & Visual Identity Management:

• Own and maintain The Living Desert's visual identity style guide
• Ensure consistent application of logo, color palette, typography, imagery style, and design elements across all organizational communications
• Review all design work (internal and external) for brand compliance
• Evolve and refine visual brand standards as organizational needs develop
• Educate team members and stakeholders on proper brand application
• Maintain brand asset libraries and design templates in Air digital asset management system

Print Production Management:

• Prepare print-ready files meeting technical specifications for various printing processes
• Manage relationships with printing vendors and production partners
• Proof printed materials for quality control and ensure color accuracy
• Understand various printing processes, substrates, and finishing techniques
• Coordinate print timelines and delivery schedules
• Optimize designs for cost-effective production
• Operate in-house print machinery to finalize production of projects including printers, paper cutters, paper folders, laminator, mounting equipment, etc.

Environmental & Experiential Design:

• Design large-scale graphics for exhibits and outdoor environments
• Manage updates to wayfinding and directional signage systems that enhance guest experience
• Develop interpretive graphics that educate and inspire conservation action
• Design animal identification signage in collaboration with Learning & Impact
• Collaborate with Operations and Guest Experience teams on environmental graphics
• Ensure outdoor signage meets durability and visibility requirements
• Oversee/manage vendor installation projects.

Creative Collaboration:

• Translate creative briefs into effective visual solutions that meet campaign objectives
• Participate in brainstorming sessions and concept development with marketing and creative teams
• Present design concepts and explain creative rationale to stakeholders
• Incorporate feedback and iterate on designs thoughtfully and professionally
• Partner with Creative Services Manager on integrated projects balancing written and visual storytelling
• Collaborate with Visual Content Specialist on photo and video integration
• Work with Marketing team to understand campaign objectives and target audiences
• Coordinate with Project Coordinator on workflow and timelines through Monday.com project management system

Asset Organization & Quality Management:

• Maintain organized design files and version control
• Archive final designs in digital asset management system with proper tagging for accessibility
• Create and maintain design templates for recurring projects
• Organize brand assets and ensure accessibility for team members
• Document design specifications and production notes
• Proofread designs for accuracy (spelling, pricing, dates, contact information, etc.)
• Meet deadlines consistently while maintaining design excellence
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously with competing priorities

Conservation & Mission Support:

• Contribute to desert conservation through reduction of waste, water and energy use in design and production processes
• Design materials that inspire guests and team members to take conservation actions
• Support the organization's mission of desert conservation through preservation, education, and appreciation

Requirements

Key Skills and Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or related field (or equivalent professional experience demonstrating mastery of design principles)
• 5-7 years of professional graphic design experience with portfolio demonstrating range across print, digital, and environmental design
• Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) with strong command of typography, color theory, composition, and visual hierarchy
• Digital asset management systems (Air or similar DAM platforms)
• Experience with print production workflows, processes and file preparation including understanding of various substrates and large-format printing
• Proven ability to design for various media and platforms while maintaining brand consistency
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality
• Excellent time management and organizational skills with ability to prioritize effectively
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, take direction, receive feedback, and execute accordingly
• Strong communication skills and ability to present design concepts clearly
• Self-starter who can manage multiple projects and work well under tight deadlines
• Desire to work in collaborative, mission-driven environment

Preferred:

•  Experience in nonprofit organizations, cultural institutions, zoos, aquariums, museums, or visitor attractions
•  Familiarity with AZA-accredited institutions or similar mission-driven organizations
•  Experience with exhibition design, environmental graphics, or interpretive signage
•  Motion graphics or video editing skills (After Effects, Premiere Pro)
•  3D imaging and animation skills
•  Web design experience and understanding of UX/UI principles
•  Photography or photo editing skills including DSLR camera operation and Lightroom
•  Experience designing for accessibility and ADA compliance
•  Background or coursework in environmental science, biology, or conservation
•  Bilingual (Spanish/English) a plus

Equipment/Software: PC computer, Adobe Creative Suite software, Microsoft Office software, camera, general office equipment, scanner, printer, 2-way radio, electric golf cart, paper cutter, laminator, etching machine, among others.

Physical Position Description:

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL TASKS: Occasional standing, walking, bending, twisting, some lifting up to 50 lbs. Safely operating print and production machinery.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS: Primarily an office environment, occasionally on-grounds.

HOLIDAY/EVENING WORK: Occasional Holiday, weekend, and evening work.

TRAVEL: Occasional travel to vendors and suppliers.