Senior Designer

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We are on the lookout for a dynamic Senior Designer to join our vibrant creative team, where you will craft outstanding design work across all of The Spectator's platforms. This role demands a highly skilled designer capable of not only executing advanced designs but also dreaming up innovative ideas, themes, and visual stories that define the essence of projects spanning marketing, editorial, events, and campaigns. We are eager to find an individual who flourishes in a collaborative setting, can build creative concepts from scratch, and evolve visual identities that go beyond brand guidelines.

Established in 1828, The Spectator is the world's oldest surviving weekly magazine and remains at the forefront of political and cultural commentary. Our design team plays a crucial role in bringing our journalism to life across multiple platforms and formats, ensuring that each project is visually compelling, conceptually coherent, and aligned with our distinctive voice.

Our Design Endeavors

• Weekly Print Magazine: Our flagship publication, renowned for its elegant layouts, custom-made illustrations, and eye-catching cover designs that have become synonymous with excellence in British journalism.
• Digital: Thoughtfully designed responsive websites, a dynamic range of email newsletters, and an engaging app that captivates our expanding online readership. Additionally, we create social media graphics that amplify our journalism to a broader audience.
• Events & Broadcast: Extensive design support for The Spectator's vibrant lineup of live events, encompassing stage graphics, presentation materials, event signage, and immersive branded environments. We also produce assets for video content, podcast artwork, and broadcast graphics to enhance our growing digital media footprint.
• Marketing and Campaigns: Creative promotional materials, merchandise, subscriber communications, and cohesive campaigns across both print and digital platforms.
• Commercial & Partnerships: Tailored design solutions for commercial clients, including sponsored content, advertising features, and partnership projects that uphold our editorial values while achieving commercial goals.

Key Responsibilities

Design execution

• Contribute to compelling cover ideas and finished cover designs.
• Produce digital assets including web graphics, social media content, and email newsletters.
• Design event materials, presentations, and broadcast graphics.
• Develop commercial and sponsored content that aligns with brand guidelines.
• Create visual identities and roll out required assets for new launches.
• Create brand materials and campaign assets across multiple channels.

Creative Development

• Collaborate with the Head of Design to develop and evolve The Spectator's visual language.
• Propose innovative design solutions that enhance storytelling.
• Contribute ideas during creative briefings and brainstorming sessions.
• Stay current with design trends while respecting our publication's heritage.
• Maintain and develop brand consistency across all touchpoints.

Team Collaboration

• Work efficiently within project timelines managed by the Project Manager.
• Coordinate with editorial staff, photographers, and illustrators.
• Provide guidance and support to junior designers when needed.
• Participate in design critiques and team reviews.
• Communicate effectively about design decisions and technical requirements.

Production & Quality

• Prepare print-ready files and liaise with printers and suppliers.
• Ensure technical specifications are met for all outputs.
• Maintain organised file structures and asset libraries.
• Conduct quality control checks on all work before delivery.
• Adapt designs for multiple formats and platforms.

Requirements

Experience

• A wealth of professional design experience, ideally within publishing, editorial, or media sectors.
• A compelling portfolio that showcases outstanding layout design and typography skills.
• Demonstrated experience in designing for both print and digital mediums.
• A proven history of meeting deadlines on projects in fast-paced environments.

Technical Skills

• Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, including After Effects and more.
• Advanced capabilities in Adobe Photoshop, including photo retouching, compositing, and image manipulation aimed at editorial and commercial projects.
• Experience in motion graphics, with the ability to create engaging animated content for social media and broadcast.
• Knowledge of large-format design and production for events, such as banners and exhibition graphics, with a strong grasp of file specifications and printing needs.
• Familiarity with print production processes, specifications, and file preparation across various mediums.
• Understanding of digital design requirements tailored for web and social media platforms.

Design Expertise

• Outstanding typography skills paired with a keen understanding of typographic hierarchy.
• A solid grasp of layout principles, composition, and effective visual storytelling.
• A keen eye for color, alongside a strong understanding of color theory.
• Meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment to the craft.
• Ability to innovate within brand guidelines while introducing fresh creative ideas.

Professional Skills

• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Exceptional time management abilities, capable of juggling multiple projects effectively.
• A collaborative spirit, open to feedback, and adept at implementing it.
• A problem-solving mindset when facing design challenges.
• Proactive approach, ready to take ownership of projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• A degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or a related field.
• Experience in magazine or publication design.
• Familiarity with HTML/CSS and web design concepts.
• Experience with video editing software, such as Premiere Pro and After Effects.
• Illustration skills or experience in commissioning and directing illustrators.
• Understanding of accessibility standards in design.