Creative Designer

Major Responsibilities

• Interpret business partner creative briefs and request to generate relevant, contemporary and effective design solutions – from concept to execution, that support business strategies.
• Use both conventional and digital assets (i.e Adobe Creative Suite.) to execute persuasive and informational communications efficiently by demonstrating strong graphic design skill sets, including a keen eye for layout balance, typography, color and brand integrity. With each layout, illustrate sensitivity to messaging hierarchy and content readability. Additionally, keep skill sets current with media technologies and software advancements.
• Collaborate with a team of copywriters, designers, creative leadership and marketers to take a project from initial concepts to production-ready design (including code for digital creative), ensuring deliverables embody the vision and direction of the Art and Creative Director.
• Work with Creative Director and Art Director to maintain Essendant visual identity in all communications through effective and consistent application of the company’s Corporate Identity Standards.
• Maintain an ongoing understanding of company and internal customer initiatives, product categories and features in order to develop targeted communications.
• Participate in managing different internal team processes as needed to ensure projects are delivered on-time and meet the business objective.
• Understand and demonstrate Essendant’s Core Values.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills/Knowledge Required

• Strong design aesthetics (sensitivity to layout, imagery, typography, color relationships, and brand) and proven hands-on skills using Macintosh and PC based applications (i.e., PhotoShop, Illustrator, InDesign, MS Office, etc.)
• Practical design experience in conventional print and digital communications (i.e., collateral, direct mail, catalog, web, email, etc.)
• Fluent in web technologies including HTML5, CSS3, Javascript, and JQuery. Ability to code by hand is a strong plus
• Knowledgeable in code versioning technologies and processes including GIT and SVN and other cloud based tools.
• Experience in UI/UX design and mobile/responsive design along with website best practices, SEO principals regarding page size, loading time, and HTTP requests
• Experience with email design and email code development, understanding mobile and responsive principals along with best practices across multiple devices
• Comfortable taking design feedback and able to quickly deliver revisions that effectively satisfy suggested changes, engaging with design lead as necessary
• Working knowledge of project management principals, including timelines, due dates, and balancing a diversified work load.
• Comfortable utilizing online tools and software to work collaboratively with team members, including project management and digital whiteboard tools.
• Experience Implementing your own designs - we are a hands on environment
• Work effectively with business partners and creative leadership, constructively discussing feedback and incorporating into subsequent rounds of creative output.
• Big Plus - ability to work in and around back-end development languages

Education and Experience

• Minimum 4-6 years proven experience
• Bachelors Degree Required
• Robust portfolio showcasing wide range of hands-on design and development experience on both digital projects (landing pages, email design, UI) and print deliverables. Front-end development examples required.

Benefits:

• Health benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• 401k with matching
• Company Holidays
• Overtime Pay for hourly employees
• Paid Vacation, Floating Holidays, and Sick Time
• Maternity and Parental leave benefits
• Employee discount
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)