Graphic Designer

Please include a cover letter and a portfolio link with your application. Applications submitted without both materials may not be considered.

Join a creative, collaborative team and help steward a globally recognized brand through compelling design and multi-channel campaigns, working alongside talented photographers, videographers, writers, marketers, and strategists who help tell Duke’s story to the world.

Be You.

The Graphic Designer Specialist serves as a key member of Duke University’s Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs team (“MarComms”).

This position develops visual designs that support the university’s brand, mission, and marketing objectives across a wide range of channels. The designer will create compelling graphics for marketing campaigns, social media, storytelling content, advertising, marketing collateral, and digital platforms while maintaining visual consistency and alignment with Duke’s brand standards.

Work Arrangement – Hybrid (This is not a remote role.)

DEPARTMENTAL PREFERENCES

• Work requires two or more years of design experience in a marketing, communications, or creative role — preferably within a complex organization or agency setting.
• Experience producing graphics for digital and social platforms is strongly preferred.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education - BA/BS in graphic arts, fine arts or related field required.

Experience - Two years of directly related Graphic Communications and Design Experience.

Be Bold.

Skills

• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, After Effects, etc.) and Canva, or comparable design software.
• Understanding of Microsoft Suite (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint) and collaborative project management systems.
• Proficiency developing and stewarding a large, institutional brand and trademark with many sub-brands and components.
• Strong visual storytelling, typography, and layout skills.
• Working knowledge of digital design standards, including responsive web graphics and accessibility best practices.
• Understanding of branding, marketing strategy, and audience engagement.
• Excellent attention to detail, time management, and collaborative communication skills.

Work Performed

Design & Creative Production

• Create original, high-quality graphic assets for print, digital, web, and social media platforms.
• Design materials for university-wide marketing campaigns and storytelling initiatives.
• Produce graphics, illustrations, and layouts for social media content, digital and print advertising, newsletters, presentations, and other collateral.
• Collaborate with photographers, videographers, writers, and editors to bring creative concepts to life.
• Prepare final artwork and files for both digital and print production in alignment with platform requirements and accessibility standards.

Brand Stewardship & Strategy 

• Apply and uphold Duke University’s brand identity and visual guidelines across all creative output.
• Ensure all designs reflect Duke’s values, voice, and strategic positioning in higher education.
• Support the development and refinement of Duke brand guidelines, sub-brand identities or campaign visuals as needed.
• Demonstrate understanding of marketing principles, audience insights, and user experience to produce design solutions that achieve business and communication goals.
• Lead a Design Working Group, a convening of designers across the university, to build community, share resources, and learn from each other.

Collaboration & Project Management 

• Track all work within the team’s project management system, keeping up with status, deadlines and collaboration.
• Work closely with strategists, content creators, and digital marketing specialists to develop integrated campaign assets.
• Participate in creative brainstorming sessions and contribute to concept development.
• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, meeting deadlines and project specifications.
• Coordinate with vendors or printers when necessary to ensure high-quality production and delivery.
• Participate in team and university events such as commencement, back to school efforts, the INSIGHTS summit, monthly communicator meetings and more, as an integral part of the MarComms team. Some of the events will, on rare occasion, be after normal working hours or weekends.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement 

• Stay up to date on design trends, emerging media formats, and new tools or technologies.
• Recommend creative approaches that enhance the effectiveness and reach of Duke's marketing and communications.

Choose Duke.

Join a talented team and use your design skills to help share Duke's story with the world. Apply today!