Print Publication Designer and Publication Art Director

Edible Manhattan • Contract • Remote (United States, US) • 3m ago

Print Publication Designer and Publication Art Director

Company Overview

Edible Manhattan Group (EMG) owns Edible Manhattan, Edible Brooklyn, Edible Hudson Valley, and Edible Westchester. Our food and culture platforms are part of the Edible Communities media network of over 80 local publications across North America.

Position Description

EMG is seeking a creative and detail-oriented freelance Publication Designer/Art Director for our quarterly, 48 to 56-page print publications. As a Publication Designer/Art Director, you will work with our small, dynamic team and play a crucial role in shaping the visual identity of the publication, ensuring a captivating and cohesive design that enhances the overall reader experience. The ideal candidate should have a keen eye for aesthetics, a strong understanding of publication design principles, the ability to translate complex information into visually appealing layouts and nurture a network of outside photographers, illustrators and other visual creators as needed. This is not a full-time position.

This position reports directly to the Editorial Director.

Primary Responsibilities

Create visually compelling and innovative layouts.
Have a strong command of typography, selecting appropriate fonts, and ensuring readability while maintaining a cohesive and visually pleasing design.
Integrate illustrations, infographics, and other graphic elements to enhance the storytelling and visual appeal.
Ensure that the design aligns with EMG’s brand guidelines.
Work closely with editorial teams, photographers, and other stakeholders to understand content requirements and effectively translate them into visually engaging designs.
Brainstorm with EIC visual solutions to upcoming story ideas.
Select, hire, and manage freelancers, such as photographers and illustrators, to execute the job based on their personalities, skills, experience, and compatibility.
Produce sketches, storyboards, art layouts based on creative visions and ideas.
Plan and schedule activities to meet goals and deadlines such as storyboarding, brainstorming sessions, photo shoots, etc.
Provide direction to freelancers and other team members in coming up with various graphic elements that will be used in the project such as typography, logo design, layout design, color scheme and graphic styles (including original graphics).
Manage budget with EIC.
Stay on top of all trends and maintain best practices.
Manage print production by interacting with printers to ensure that artwork is printed according to specifications set out in the file.
Be adaptable to various design styles and formats.
Utilize industry-standard design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) to execute high-quality designs.
Possess a solid understanding of print production processes, including pre-press and file preparation, to ensure the accurate execution of designs in the final product.
Adhere to tight deadlines while maintaining a high standard of quality and attention to detail.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, or a related field
Proven experience as a Publication Designer or in a similar role
Hands on experience with logo design, typography, color, web layout design, print production, image selection and package design
Proficient use of InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator or other visual design and wire-framing tools
Strong portfolio showcasing a diverse range of design projects
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator)
Knowledge of current design trends and best practices
Excellent communication and collaboration skills
Incorporate feedback and take/give direction well
Organized and with high attention to detail
Ability to thrive in a cross-functional environment while juggling multiple responsibilities
Ability to think creatively
Knowledge of NY food culture and/or passionate foodies welcome