Job Abstract

Department

Art Museum

Category

Arts and Museum Administration

Job Type

Full-Time

The Princeton University Art Museum, one of the nation’s preeminent cultural institutions in an academic setting, is seeking applications for a full-time Graphic Design Specialist position.

About the Museum:

With a collecting history that extends back to 1755, the Princeton University Art Museum is one of the leading university art museums in the country, home to collections that have grown to include more than 115,000 works of art ranging from ancient to contemporary art and spanning the globe. Committed to advancing the University’s teaching and research missions, the Museum also serves as a hub for the humanities at Princeton for visitors worldwide. The Museum currently presents exhibitions in its two downtown venues (Art on Hulfish and Art@Bainbridge) and is touring collections exhibitions nationally and internationally. When the Museum opens its dramatically reconceived building, scheduled for 2025, it will initiate a new exhibitions program with annual exhibitions on-site and on tour. This project will also involve a full refresh of the Museum’s brand, including visual identity and brand voice.

The Graphic Design Specialist will report to and assist the head of the graphic design studio in developing and producing a wide range of print and digital materials, including exhibition graphics, gallery labels, brochures, advertisements and promotional materials, signage, and digital deliverables to run on the Museum’s website and social media channels. The Graphic Design Specialist will work closely with Museum curatorial, editorial, and marketing staff to understand the substantive, interpretive, and informational goals of exhibitions, publications, communications campaigns, and other projects. This position will be responsible for identifying ways in which project goals can be achieved through design solutions, working within budgetary frameworks to meet rigorous production schedules. Under the direction of the head of Graphic Design, the Graphic Design Specialist will create original designs and work within established templates to provide outstanding visual solutions for the Museum’s varied graphic design needs.

Applications should include a resume and a cover letter addressing your interest and qualifications for the position.

The successful candidate will be a creative and self-motivated individual with a team-based approach and an unwavering attention to detail. Primary responsibilities include:

• Design and format environmental graphics and labels for collections installations and temporary exhibitions. Responsibilities include attending curatorial meetings to discuss gallery floor plan and design strategy; meeting with the editorial team to discuss in-gallery graphics and labels format; preparing gallery proofs and circulating them to the museum team for review; preparing full-scale mockups to review with curatorial stakeholders and exhibition design team; preparing files for production and coordinating with external vendors, overseeing final installation of graphics and labels, all within defined budgets and schedules.
• Creating print advertisements, public programs ephemera, direct mail pieces, printed signage, website, social media, and other digital media assets for Museum events and programs. Responsibilities include collaboration with cross-departmental stakeholders to define project goals and deliverables and produce design solutions for identified specific targets; applying specific skills regarding advanced knowledge of typography, design, layout, and composition; managing full production schedule including pre-press and production processes, all within defined budgets and schedules.
• Developing interpretive materials for family and student programs; providing design support for the annual Gala and other Museum development programs. Responsibilities include concept development in partnership with stakeholders to define project goals and design strategy to guide final design deliverables within an overall program ecosystem that includes other communications elements with budget and schedule constraints.
• This role is expected to work in-person on campus subject to the University’s remote working policy.

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in graphic design, visual communications, the visual arts, or similar;
• Expertise with Adobe Creative Suite, esp. InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop;
• Experience preparing specifications; identifying, selecting, and coordinating with printers, fabricators, and other vendors;
• Knowledge of and appreciation for typography;
• 5+ years related work experience;
• Ability to work well within a fast-paced complex institutional environment to meet deadlines, multitask, collaborate, and communicate effectively among diverse project constituents;
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as part of a team;
• Superior interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with a broad array of people;
• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to set priorities and juggle competing demands;
• Ability to maintain flexibility and composure under pressure;
• Excellent project coordination skills with particular attention to detail and accuracy

Preferred Requirements

• Knowledge of museums
• Experience working as part of a team
• Knowledge of print production, including on-press experience
• Experience with web-based graphic design

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS