We seek a highly motivated, organized, creative self-starter to join our dynamic and fast-paced team as a mid-level or senior web designer. This is an ideal opportunity for a seasoned web designer with advanced design, UX/UI, technical and communication skills with a passion for bridging the intersection between design, technology, and public policy. This position is involved in all aspects of digital product design. Projects include but are not limited to: issue-focused websites, dynamic data visualizations, interactive digital features, long-form media-rich digital reports, and other web products and media packages.
Ideal candidates will have excellent creative initiative and independent self-direction, coupled with an aptitude for design and collaboration within a multi-disciplinary team. Candidates should have advanced UX/UI design skills. They must have strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills, solid project management skills, and be organized. They must have the ability to multi-task and adapt in a fast-paced environment while meeting deadlines.
Candidates must be tech-savvy and highly competent with new and developing methods of web design and development. The position works closely with a range of subject-matter expert clients and must have strong topical and visual research skills, ideally with a passion for public and international affairs. Additionally, the candidate will be a strong team player and possess strong leadership skills.
Please note this is not a web developer position. It is a pure web design role and only those with web design experience will be considered.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
1. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Produce and design deliverables including sitemaps, wireframes, full-fidelity visual comps, UI component libraries, and custom graphics (static and animated) as specified by the project's needs.
- Test and review front-end development output.
- Document design decisions and formulate development specifications.
- Produce deliverables that effectively communicate information architecture, interactions, and responsive designs to research partners.
- Collaborate with developers to mockup and review data visualization UI and color palettes.
2. COLLABORATION
- Collaborate, brainstorm, and strategize with web developers, product leads, and clients to design a range of advanced-level digital products, including websites, dynamic/media-rich digital reports, interactive tools, visualizations, single page applications, and maps.
- Prepare and present concepts/work to stakeholders, articulating design thinking and decisions to non-designers and content expert clients.
- Skilled at giving and receiving feedback in an effective and empathic manner.
3. LEADERSHIP
- Collaborate with leadership to define project priorities and roadmap the future of digital products.
- Work closely with clients to identify their objectives and audiences, developing a product vision and strategy.
- Lead on strategic design and user-experience decisions, ensuring a unified vision and aesthetic within a product.
- Provide visual, strategic, and organizational recommendations, acting as a design resource for clients and the internal team.
- Maintain resources and build practices to help improve the team's processes.
- Help lead formal and informal design critique sessions. Encourage team participation. Provide constructive feedback.
- Serve as a knowledgeable mentor and sounding board on design to associate and mid-level colleagues as it relates to digital products.
- Other duties and projects as needed.
KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION, & EXPERIENCE
- B.A./B.S/A.B. in relevant field or other relevant experience, including bootcamp training or freelance work.
- Minimum 4 years of experience in UX/UI design outside of training experiences.
- Advanced understanding of UX best practices and design principles.
- Advanced knowledge of design and prototyping tools, such as: Adobe Creative Suite and Figma.
- Excellent command of visual design capabilities, including composition, layout, information hierarchy, typography, and color discernment.
- Ability to create in a wide range of media, including web, social, email, and ideally video and data visualization technologies.
- Expert understanding of the website design and development process, including working knowledge of: HTML/CSS, taxonomies and content types, the WordPress platform, mobile responsive design, accessibility standards.
- Excellent knowledge of UX/UI best practices and experience with user interface design patterns, UCD methodologies, and common UX challenges.
- Zest for challenging assignments, with an eye toward creative and innovative solutions.
- Flexible, positive, collaborative, action-oriented attitude and professional approach.
- Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills; including effectively presenting information to non-technical partners, operating in a fast-paced environment and managing competing priorities.
- Attention to detail, initiative, and follow through skills.
- Strong interest in global affairs and public policy is a plus.
- Sound judgment, maturity, and discretion.
- Illustration skills are a plus.
SOME TECHNOLOGIES WE USE
- GitHub
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Figma
- Monday.com
- Shorthand
- Figma
You don't need to be proficient in all of these, but you should know some of them. The ability to and interest in learning others is a must.