OCMA (Orange County Museum of Art)

Reports to Chief Curator

Employment Status Full-Time

FLSA Status Exempt

Annual Salary $80,000.00

The Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA), located on the Segerstrom Center for the Arts campus in Costa Mesa, California, seeks a highly effective, experienced Graphic and Web Designer. Housed within the Curatorial Department the Graphic and Web Designer works with the Museum’s brand and identity, exhibitions, marketing campaigns, membership, public programs, education and learning initiatives, as well as all other communications across the museum.

This position will be responsible for designing a variety of digital and analog communications from concept to completion, including email campaigns, web-based and print advertising, design for social media platforms and video titles, institutional signage, posters, exhibition graphics, brochures, print invitations and mailers, publications, and environmental graphics.

To be successful in this role, you must be able to conceptualize design solutions that prioritize user experience, clear visual communication, contemporary design aesthetics, and the brand identity of the Museum, drawing on deep knowledge of typography, composition, design systems, and other core principles of design, and must have a strong understanding of the technical aspects of designing dynamic assets and a personal interest in exploring opportunities for engagement in digital experiences and communications within a Museum environment.

The idea candidate will have experience maintaining and updating websites, employing knowledge of current developments and trends in digital design to create integrated and dynamic design solutions that advance the Museum’s online practice, will work closely with the CEO and Director, Director of Learning & Engagement, Chief Curator, and other OCMA team members, to advise on current best practices in digital design.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Conceptualizes and produces design deliverables for a variety of digital platforms and formats. This includes but is not limited to email, the museum’s web assets, social media platforms, promotional channels, mobile applications, video, multimedia, and digital publication projects, event invitations, and digital signage for the museum.
• Translate marketing strategies and existing design directions into effective and compelling online campaigns and designs.
• Maintain and develop OCMA’s WordPress website in concert with OCMA’s creative vision, integrating platforms like Altru, Shopify, as needed.
• Design user interfaces for website to ensure proper implementation of the creative vision.
• Create custom WordPress designs with custom page templates that allow the site to be maintainable by OCMA staff.
• Preserve all existing content and ensuring backend maintenance and consistent performance across website and digital platforms.
• Present preliminary design concepts, explorations, and applications for review and approval for department heads and CEO and Director.
• Design and conceptualize bespoke graphic identities and collateral for 10 to 12 exhibitions per year and managing all aspects of production.
• Collaborate with the PR and Marketing teams in developing creative content for press and outreach campaigns that support museum-wide marketing and communications goals.
• Ensure projects are well-executed according to the design vision by preparing files, defining specifications, and managing timeline and production with various vendors.
• Participate in planning and brainstorming meetings.
• Present preliminary design concepts, explorations, and applications for review and approval for department heads and CEO and Director, including but not limited to marketing campaigns, exhibition identities, print materials, OCMA brand products and collateral.
• Prepare production-ready files for print projects and review color proofs.
• Demonstrate a high level of creativity, problem-solving ability, and conceptual development through excellent graphic design and typography.
• Understand project goals and design planning, then develop design directions in response to individual project needs.
• Respond to editing and revisions with clear communication.
• Research subject matter to better understand the context for design.
• Stay up to date with current best practices in digital design and make ongoing recommendations for improving digital strategies, engagement, and interaction.
• Proactive and regular communication with Chief Curator, CEO and Director, Director of Learning & Engagement, and all OCMA department heads.
• Manages project specific administrative tasks such as project budgets, scheduling, procurement, and communication.
• May supervise the department’s volunteers and interns.

Qualifications

• BFA or MFA in graphic design or related field.
• Minimum of 3 years professional experience in graphic design or a related field.
• Design and production experience for an art museum, art gallery, artist-centered studio, or art publication studio.
• Strong portfolio of design work that shows conceptual thinking.
• Knowledge of typography, color, design systems, and web and development principles.
• Experience creating animated gifs.
• Experience in outputting design assets for digital media and the web.
• Experience in preparing print-ready files and color proofing.
• Experience with WordPress.
• Organized and methodical with files and detail-oriented.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong time management skills.
• Knowledge of HTML and CMS.
• Strong work ethic and personal accountability.
• Advanced skill set in Adobe Creative Suite.
• Familiarity with Adobe Premiere Pro or After Effects.
• Experience designing for Mailchimp, Constant Contact, and email software.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
• Willing to attend occasional press checks off-site.
• Comfortable working independently and as part of a team, taking direction, receiving feedback, and executing accordingly.
• Knowledge of production methods such as vinyl graphic applications (both cut lettering and large-scale murals), silk-screening, banners, and laser cutting.
• Ability to work on multiple projects in a fast-paced environment and incorporate feedback into creative process.
• Attention to detail while being a creative thinker and having the ability to work both within and without guidelines.
• Strong presentation skills and ability to articulate ideas and design rationale clearly.

Apply Please submit cover letter and resume to Vickie Byrd, Chief Human Resources Officer, vbyrd@ocma.art.

Disclaimer This job description may not be inclusive of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described above, and may be amended at any time at the sole discretion of the Employer.