What are the responsibilities and job description for the Designer position at Inside Higher Ed?
Logo:
Posting Number:
STA00282PO26
Job Family:
Creative Services
Job Function:
Graphic Design
USC Market Title:
Graphic Designer
Link To USC Market Title:
https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/132528
Job Level:
P0 - Professional
Business Title (Internal Title):
Designer
Campus:
Columbia
Work County:
Richland
College/Division:
Division of Marketing
Department:
MKTG Creative Services
State Pay Range:
G06
USC Market Range:
MRC - $40,269 $49,330 $58,390
Anticipated Hiring Range:
$40,269 - $58,390
Part/Full Time:
Full Time
Hours Per Week:
37.5
Work Schedule:
12 months
Job Search Category:
Other Professional
About University Of South Carolina:
From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
Veterans' Preference Statement:
The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.
Advertised Job Summary:
The University of South Carolina Division of Marketing is seeking a designer who serves as the graphic designer for one of several interdisciplinary brand teams within the division and provides visual guidance and design expertise to the units that comprise that brand team. The designer creates original concepts and designs that support the strategic needs of the university’s colleges and appeal to audiences while ensuring quality, consistency and excellence within the university brand platform.The designer will create marketing materials for a range of audiences to build awareness, drive engagement and enhance the reputation of the university while reflecting the university’s commitment to academic and research excellence. The designer demonstrates expertise in visual design and illustration, project management and production knowledge to deliver compelling, creative solutions for digital and print communications. This position leads art direction for team projects.The designer works independently on projects prioritized by the Senior Designer and with a dynamic team of creative professionals throughout the Division of Marketing on projects that are deemed shared priorities of the academic/administrative units and the university.
Job Related Minimum Required Education And Experience:
Design: Ensures quality and consistency of design aesthetics and determines project needs and priorities as they relate to creative briefs, strategic communications plans and other relevant planning documents. Works independently and collaboratively to create clever and innovative design approaches that support the University of South Carolina brand and adhere to digital accessibility design standards. Envisions and executes original artistic designs. Leads art direction process for photography and design across print and digital work produced for the team. Works within the structure of the university’s visual design language to select fonts, colors, artwork, photography and other visual elements for the design of effective print and digital communications. Serves as a designer on other office creative projects as assigned by the Senior Designer. While units supported will focus on their respective brand team, the designer will also support other academic and administrative areas of the university.
Essential Function:
Yes
Percentage Of Time:
40
Job Duty:
Project Management: Interacts and communicates clearly and confidently with clients, vendors and team members to determine visual communication needs, present ideas and accomplish projects from start to finish. Identifies resources needed for project completion. Accounts for time spent as well as quality by ensuring that layouts are accurate, files are free of errors and specifications are complete to meet deadline and budget requirements. Keeps team members, clients and managers informed of all project statuses in real time via production management software, verbal communication and other reports. Facilitates meetings with group/client when necessary.
Percentage Of Time:
30
Job Duty:
Production duties: Responsible for the processing of production oriented departmental projects such as reprints and templates. Updates content, fonts, photography and graphics for reprints of annual projects. Creates and revises digital artwork and photos and prepares final files for quality publishing or digital use. Prepares exacting specifications and instructions for print or digital output; assembles technically accurate prepress files and instructions with consideration given to printing processes, paper choices, mailing regulations, final distribution, client budgets, electronic needs and purchasing and production deadlines. Checks printer proofs and performs press checks as necessary. Coordinates assignments with other staff as required.
Percentage Of Time:
25
Job Duty:
Other duties as assigned.
Percentage Of Time:
5
Safety Sensitive Or Security Sensitive:
No
Hazardous Weather Category:
Non-Essential
Number Of Vacancies:
1
Job Open Date:
04/23/2026
Job Close Date:
06/07/2026
Open Until Filled:
No
Special Instructions To Applicant:
Please provide a design portfolio.
Positions Are Advertised For a Minimum Of Five (5) Business Days On Our Job Website. After Five (5) Business Days, Positions Can Be Closed At The Discretion Of The Department At Any Time. This Employment Site Is Updated On a Regular Basis. The Length Of The Recruitment And Screening Process May Vary From Position To Position, Depending Upon a Variety Of Factors. Should Review Of Your Qualifications Result In a Decision To Pursue Your Candidacy, You Will Be Contacted By Phone Or Email. We Are Only Accepting Applications Submitted By June 7, 2026. The University Of South Carolina Offers a Valuable Benefits Package Including But Not Limited To:
Quicklink For Posting:
https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/205330
EEO Statement:
The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.
Posting Number:
STA00282PO26
Job Family:
Creative Services
Job Function:
Graphic Design
USC Market Title:
Graphic Designer
Link To USC Market Title:
https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/132528
Job Level:
P0 - Professional
Business Title (Internal Title):
Designer
Campus:
Columbia
Work County:
Richland
College/Division:
Division of Marketing
Department:
MKTG Creative Services
State Pay Range:
G06
USC Market Range:
MRC - $40,269 $49,330 $58,390
Anticipated Hiring Range:
$40,269 - $58,390
Part/Full Time:
Full Time
Hours Per Week:
37.5
Work Schedule:
- Standard working schedule: 8:30am – 5:00pm
- Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.
12 months
Job Search Category:
Other Professional
About University Of South Carolina:
From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
Veterans' Preference Statement:
The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.
Advertised Job Summary:
The University of South Carolina Division of Marketing is seeking a designer who serves as the graphic designer for one of several interdisciplinary brand teams within the division and provides visual guidance and design expertise to the units that comprise that brand team. The designer creates original concepts and designs that support the strategic needs of the university’s colleges and appeal to audiences while ensuring quality, consistency and excellence within the university brand platform.The designer will create marketing materials for a range of audiences to build awareness, drive engagement and enhance the reputation of the university while reflecting the university’s commitment to academic and research excellence. The designer demonstrates expertise in visual design and illustration, project management and production knowledge to deliver compelling, creative solutions for digital and print communications. This position leads art direction for team projects.The designer works independently on projects prioritized by the Senior Designer and with a dynamic team of creative professionals throughout the Division of Marketing on projects that are deemed shared priorities of the academic/administrative units and the university.
Job Related Minimum Required Education And Experience:
- Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and no prior work experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.
- A bachelor’s degree in graphic design or equivalent study in a professional school and two years of related experience.
- A general knowledge of marketing and advertising best practices and production processes is desired.
- Possess a positive attitude and demonstrate flexibility in responding to changing conditions on projects.
- Thorough grounding in current offset printing procedures from prepress through bindery is preferred.
- Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and digital/print design tools; working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
- Strong design fundamentals (typography, color, layout, illustration, photography) and visual storytelling skills.
- Knowledge of print production, digital media, and design standards.
- Effective verbal and written communication; able to present concepts clearly to clients and stakeholders.
- Strong organizational and project management skills; able to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
- Understanding of copyright, licensing, and usage rights.
- Ability to adapt designs across formats and platforms.
- Capable of basic editing and troubleshooting production issues.
- Willingness to travel locally/occasionally for project support (e.g., photo shoots, meetings).
Design: Ensures quality and consistency of design aesthetics and determines project needs and priorities as they relate to creative briefs, strategic communications plans and other relevant planning documents. Works independently and collaboratively to create clever and innovative design approaches that support the University of South Carolina brand and adhere to digital accessibility design standards. Envisions and executes original artistic designs. Leads art direction process for photography and design across print and digital work produced for the team. Works within the structure of the university’s visual design language to select fonts, colors, artwork, photography and other visual elements for the design of effective print and digital communications. Serves as a designer on other office creative projects as assigned by the Senior Designer. While units supported will focus on their respective brand team, the designer will also support other academic and administrative areas of the university.
Essential Function:
Yes
Percentage Of Time:
40
Job Duty:
Project Management: Interacts and communicates clearly and confidently with clients, vendors and team members to determine visual communication needs, present ideas and accomplish projects from start to finish. Identifies resources needed for project completion. Accounts for time spent as well as quality by ensuring that layouts are accurate, files are free of errors and specifications are complete to meet deadline and budget requirements. Keeps team members, clients and managers informed of all project statuses in real time via production management software, verbal communication and other reports. Facilitates meetings with group/client when necessary.
Percentage Of Time:
30
Job Duty:
Production duties: Responsible for the processing of production oriented departmental projects such as reprints and templates. Updates content, fonts, photography and graphics for reprints of annual projects. Creates and revises digital artwork and photos and prepares final files for quality publishing or digital use. Prepares exacting specifications and instructions for print or digital output; assembles technically accurate prepress files and instructions with consideration given to printing processes, paper choices, mailing regulations, final distribution, client budgets, electronic needs and purchasing and production deadlines. Checks printer proofs and performs press checks as necessary. Coordinates assignments with other staff as required.
Percentage Of Time:
25
Job Duty:
Other duties as assigned.
Percentage Of Time:
5
Safety Sensitive Or Security Sensitive:
No
Hazardous Weather Category:
Non-Essential
Number Of Vacancies:
1
Job Open Date:
04/23/2026
Job Close Date:
06/07/2026
Open Until Filled:
No
Special Instructions To Applicant:
Please provide a design portfolio.
Positions Are Advertised For a Minimum Of Five (5) Business Days On Our Job Website. After Five (5) Business Days, Positions Can Be Closed At The Discretion Of The Department At Any Time. This Employment Site Is Updated On a Regular Basis. The Length Of The Recruitment And Screening Process May Vary From Position To Position, Depending Upon a Variety Of Factors. Should Review Of Your Qualifications Result In a Decision To Pursue Your Candidacy, You Will Be Contacted By Phone Or Email. We Are Only Accepting Applications Submitted By June 7, 2026. The University Of South Carolina Offers a Valuable Benefits Package Including But Not Limited To:
- Health and Life Insurance
- Retirement Programs
- Paid Tuition
- Dependent Scholarships
- Annual Leave
- Sick Leave
- 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
- Paid Parental Leave
- Professional Development Opportunities
Quicklink For Posting:
https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/205330
EEO Statement:
The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.
Salary : $40,269 - $58,390