Graphics Editor & Digital Designer

Description:

Graphics Editor & Digital Designer

The Cap Times, a longtime independent news source in Madison, Wisconsin, is looking for a talented and innovative digital artist who can help adapt the visual presentation of our products to attract a growing audience.

As the Graphics Editor & Digital Designer, you’ll conceptualize and create visual content that reinforces the Cap Times brand, including but not limited to: data visualizations and other illustrations and infographics; plus logos, social media slides and content promotions. Highest priority is given to visualizations that strengthen our journalism and audience reach.

The person in this position must be able to coordinate and communicate with all levels of the organization to understand and develop graphics that are appropriate to the brand. The Graphics Editor must have in-depth knowledge in creating and conceptualizing any visuals and must be proficient in HTML and CSS.

Working with reporters, editors and the photo director, you’ll make sure the Cap Times showcases the most visually captivating content on our digital and print products and among the best-presented journalism in Madison on a regular basis. For a weekly free print tabloid edition, you’ll design cover pages that jump off the racks and demand attention from passers-by. For digital, you’ll identify and/or create main visuals that draw audiences.

Working with other editors, you will take the lead role in creating the look for events that we sponsor as well as producing marketing material for those events, including Cap Times Idea Fest, Power Hour and Cooking with the Cap Times.

The Graphics Editor also will help to make design updates to our core desktop and mobile news sites to keep them fresh and evolving.

This position has a hybrid work environment. The Graphics Editor & Digital Designer will be present in the office for parts of each week for team meetings and collaborations, and will live in and experience the community they are serving.

Essential Job Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Synthesize data and create data visualizations to help illustrate/inform Cap Times journalism, with a balance of inclusive visuals that reflect Madison’s diversity.
• Manage the online presence and brand of the company website, social media and print promotions.
• Oversee the visual presentation of the company print product, primarily through captivating cover designs and consistent styles, while other designers produce inside pages.
• Develop and coordinate illustrations or conceptualizations across all company products.
• Coordinate website updates to reflect the Cap Times brand and repurpose print edition content using HTML and CSS.
• Create and/or edit graphics for digital core sites, social media and print.

• Conceptualize and coordinate photography needed for any visuals
• Be regularly present in person for newsroom meetings and to foster collaborations and brainstorming that's both structured and spontaneous.
• Design brochures, PowerPoint presentations, photo retouching and other marketing posters or pamphlets as needed.
• Design logos and graphic elements that may be used for sales portfolios, advertisements, and company websites, as needed.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Data visualization skills and experience
• A keen eye for aesthetics and details
• Excellent communications skills
• Ability to manage projects, work methodically and meet deadlines
• In-depth knowledge of design software and technologies including the Adobe Creative Cloud suite.
• Proficiency in HTML and CSS

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in art or graphic design from a four-year college or university and a minimum of one year related relevant experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Previous newsroom experience is preferred.

Benefits offered include medical, dental and vision insurance; life and long-term disability insurance; company matched 401(k); employee assistance program; and paid time off, sick and holiday time.

Pre-employment background and drug screenings apply.

The Cap Times is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to maintaining a workforce that accurately reflects our audience and expands our voice. Women, people of color and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

How to apply:

Please submit a cover letter, resume and work samples to Editor Mark Treinen at: mtreinen@captimes.com.

About the Cap Times:

The Cap Times has a rich, history in Madison that is over 100 years old. Originally a daily newspaper called The Capital Times, we are now foremost an independent newsroom that delivers local journalism focused on Madison. We are also a leading source of progressive commentary, and we host excellent events, highlighted by the annual Cap Times Idea Fest each fall. The Cap Times is additionally a major source of philanthropy in the community thanks to the foundation named after our founder, William T. Evjue. We produce a widely distributed weekly print newspaper, but our primary platforms are digital.

Now is an exciting time to join the Cap Times. Our digital journalism, email newsletters, membership program and events are increasingly popular in the community. We continually look for ways to evolve amid journalism’s transformation, and want innovative, creative minds to be part of that process. Our newsroom is filled with passionate journalists. We offer a fun, team-driven environment to produce local journalism that has an impact.

About Madison:

Madison is one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the United States — home to more than 280,000 people, the state capital, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a growing biotech industry, as well as a vibrant restaurant and entertainment scene. Located between lakes Mendota and Monona on an isthmus, the city also boasts many opportunities for outdoor recreation on the water, on its many miles of bike paths, and in abundant parks.