Penn State Job Catalog

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.
Missing levels within the leveling matrix can be added based on business need.

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Graphic Design

The Graphic Design Specialist performs professional graphic design and multimedia production work in support of organizational communication, education, marketing, outreach, and operational objectives; applies knowledge of graphic design principles, visual communication strategies, branding standards, user-centered design, and current design technologies to create visual and multimedia products for print, digital, video, web, social media, instructional, and promotional applications; includes designing and integrating graphics, photography, illustrations, animation, audio, video, and interactive content into cohesive multimedia solutions.

• Design, develop, edit, and produce graphic art, visual communications, and multimedia products for promotional, advertising, educational, informational, administrative, and instructional purposes
• Create and manipulate graphic images, illustrations, photography, animation, sound, text, and video into integrated multimedia solutions across print and digital platforms
• Design, edit, and integrate digital content, graphics, animation, photography, illustrations, and other visualization and imaging products
• Develop content style, visual identity, page layout, information architecture, and user experience elements for a variety of communication products
• Collaborate with stakeholders, subject matter experts, content authors, and project teams to ensure visual and multimedia solutions align with institutional objectives, messaging, and mission
• Create proofs, prototypes, mock-ups, wireframes, user journey maps, storyboards, and other visual aids to communicate design concepts and support project development
• Participate in the creative direction, planning, production, and quality review of video and audio content
• Design and develop presentation materials, templates, branding assets, and communication tools for promotional, developmental, operational, and administrative purposes
• Prepare and optimize content for multiple formats, devices, platforms, and distribution channels
• Maintain consistency with established branding, visual identity, style guides, and communication standards
• Review, revise, and update existing multimedia and graphic products to ensure accuracy, relevance, quality, and effectiveness
• Research and apply emerging design trends, technologies, tools, and best practices to enhance communication and user engagement
• Coordinate projects and production schedules with internal and external partners, vendors, contractors, and stakeholders as assigned
• Ensure compliance with accessibility requirements, contractual obligations, copyright requirements, confidentiality and privacy policies, and applicable organizational standards and guidelines
• Support digital communication initiatives through web graphics, interactive media, social media assets, and multimedia content development
• Provide consultation and technical assistance regarding visual communication strategies, branding, multimedia production, and design standards
• May collaborate in the design, development, maintenance, and updating of websites and web-based communication products, including content management, visual design, user interface enhancements, functionality improvements, and accessibility compliance
• May oversee multimedia production activities and coordinate the work of vendors, contractors, interns, or project teams
• May supervise staff, including participation in recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, performance management, employee development, and related supervisory functions

Level:

– Principal Professional

Base Description:

– Completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Displays mastery of defined skill areas/applications, principles, theories and practices. Evaluates and enhances existing practices. Recognizes emerging trends in area of expertise. Works independently on complex or strategic assignments. Directs and delegates appropriate tasks to others. Implements strategies to ensure achievement of initiatives. Prepares written and/or verbal presentations or proposals on complex issues and deliver to broad audiences. Identifies and implements innovative solutions to important, highly complex strategic and/or operational issues.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Indirect supervisor for other full–time employees
– May serve as direct supervisor for part–time, student, and/or temporary workers, volunteers, or a full–time employee

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– Validates and pays invoices
– Monitors and tracks budgets and funding
– May plan and forecast budgets

Problem Solving:

– Encounters complex and novel problems
– Applies policies, practices, specialized knowledge, and skills to resolve problems
– Understands benefits, limitations, and impact of potential solutions
– Anticipates potential problems and recommends possible solutions within general guidelines

Independence of Action:

– Works independently on complex or strategic assignments
– Uses existing practices as guidelines as well as working knowledge to determine specific work methods
– Carries out work activities independently, with supervisor available to resolve problems
– Reviews work of others to verify technical soundness

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates with both internal and external audiences
– Collaborates closely with team members and area leads across the University
– Prepares written and/or verbal presentations or proposals on complex issues and delivers to a broad variety of audiences
– Establishes and maintains networks to facilitate successful communication among units

• Comp Grade – 12
• Minimum – $81,312.00
• MidPoint – $101,664.00
• Maximum – $122,016.00

• Brand management
• Content creation
• Creative visualization
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Digital Compositing
• Graphic design
• Graphic design software
• Layout and composition
• Photography
• Template creation
• Videography
• Web design