Data Journalism/Multimedia Designer

Job Summary

The Data Journalism/Multimedia Designer will lead in the conceptualization, design, and production of all visual content for the Institute, including data visualizations, videos, and other visual communication products for our web, email, social media, and print platforms. As the visual and graphic design lead on the communications team, the Data Journalism/Multimedia Designer will work with the team to develop visual and multimedia strategies and work to build brand awareness and maintain brand consistency through all products. Successful candidates will excel at using data, design, and multimedia to explain complex concepts and tell compelling stories. The ideal candidate will have a combination of creative, technical, and strategic communication skills and experience, as well as an eye for detail and aesthetics.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualizes, leads, and carries out the visual strategy for the Institute by building and maintaining a compelling and consistent visual brand and identifying concepts and stories best told through visual, interactive, and multimedia products.
• Translates complex research and data into compelling visual stories and interactives. This could include producing individual charts, maps or infographics, as well as visual stories and features or interactive dashboards. The visualizations could come in the form of web pages, social graphics/videos, presentations, interactive reports, etc.
• Leads in the design, development, and production of digital and print materials. This includes marketing and fundraising resources, reports, research briefs, program collateral, promotional flyers, social graphics/videos, and other assets. Coordinates with external printers.
• Produces compelling and professional highlight videos of the Institute’s research, education, and outreach efforts. Leads the start-to-end production of video content, including developing content ideas, coordinating, conducting and taping interviews with an eye towards staging, and artfully incorporating appropriate B-roll and visual elements.
• Coordinates with the communications and research teams to identify and comprehend relevant data and facilitates conversations to develop visual stories. Provides visual, technical, and editorial guidance and support.
• Contracts, manages and provides technical and aesthetic oversight of audio, video, livestream, lighting and photography vendors that may be needed for Institute events or other projects, working in coordination with the Events and Operations Manager. Video records full events and produces highlight reels.
• Manages the Institute’s digital asset library, providing an organization system for easily accessing assets through multiple online systems and cloud-based platforms for the team’s use.
• Advises on new software and online platforms to best produce cutting-edge and customizable visual materials.
• Oversees the Institute’s multimedia equipment, ensuring its proper maintenance, care, and repair. Advises on updated equipment as needed.

Preferred Qualification

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, graphic design, or a related field.

Experience:

• Background in data, visual or multimedia journalism, in a multifaceted position as part of a creative agency, strategic communications firm or digital news media outlet, or a related role.
• Producing professional data visualizations and videos with a strong design aesthetic.
• Professional graphic design experience.
• Those with some knowledge or interest in climate change, energy and environmental topics encouraged to apply.

Technical Skills or Knowledge

• Proficiency in Canva, Adobe Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects, and Premiere), and data visualization tools such as Flourish and Datawrapper.
• Experience or familiarity with front-end web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Svelte or other development frameworks), cartography (QGIS, Mapbox, etc.), and data science programming (R, Python, etc.).
• Knowledge of current trends and best practices in data visualization techniques, video production, and graphic design.

Preferred Competencies

• Exceptional visual skills, including demonstrable design knowledge (layout, typography, color, interaction design, etc.).
• Highly skilled at using and translating complex data into visual forms.
• Quickly learn, comprehend, and translate complex ideas into compelling visual content.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work both independently with a high degree of initiative and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Manage and prioritize job tasks, perform effectively in a fast-paced environment, and meet deadlines in a timely manner while maintaining professionalism and product quality.
• Strategic and creative thinking, project management, and planning skills.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving and decision-making skills, creativity, flexibility and attention to detail.