GRAPHIC DESIGN SUPERVISOR 35073

01/01/90 B

This is the third and supervisory class in the Graphic Design series for positions that perform illustrative and graphic art work in a variety of media for publications, projects, exhibits or related materials. Positions in this class are responsible for state agency graphic design programs that develop and produce informational, instructional, and promotional publications or related materials. Design programs supervised typically have local, regional and state markets, and occasionally have national and international promotional campaigns. Positions in this class serve as working supervisors and typically produce the most complex design concepts or supervise the production of the agency's design projects and programs. Design projects are characterized by a variety of publications or other products that may incorporate color processes, precision detail, special effects, and promotional and informational markets. This class is distinguished from the Graphic Designer class by the former's responsibilities for supervising a staff of Graphic Artists and Designers. This class is distinguished from the Graphic Design Manager class by the latter's responsibility for managing a program that provides a wide variety of graphic design services that usually extend to national and international audiences, and/or include additional responsibility for other programs such as typesetting for printing and photography.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of considerable difficulty in supervising a graphic design program that may include personally developing the most complex design concepts and maintaining aesthetic, financial, and production control standards. Job duties require independent judgment and decision making in the development and implementation of program objectives and policies; the allocation of financial and staff resources; and the development of communication objectives into effective and economic design concepts. The work typically involves consulting with clients to develop project specifications based on costs and schedules; establishing priorities, work assignments, and quality standards; and hiring and evaluating staff. Positions prepare and maintain a budget and develop and recommend project options based on cost, schedule, and predicted effectiveness. Other duties include consulting with clients to evaluate their information and communication objectives to determine how their needs can be met through graphic design.

Supervision Given: Provides direction to a large staff of Graphic Artists and Designers, office services staff, student aides, and interns.

Supervision Received: Positions work under the general direction of a Graphics Design Manager, agency administrator, higher level public relations position or faculty member. The work is usually performed independently with guidance on the most complex and costly projects.

Scope: Supervisory activities affect the design, scheduling and production of graphic art services, publications and programs that represent an agency or major department to local, state, and occasionally to national or international audiences.

Impact of Actions: Decisions by positions in this class have a serious impact on the quality and effectiveness of graphic art services produced and subordinates' performance. Errors in judgment could have a negative effect on the agency's promotional, program, and marketing objectives. Effective job performance ensures the efficient use of resources, and the professional and aesthetic representation of the agency through completed design projects.

Personal Contacts: Frequent external contacts with vendors to procure and manage production services. Frequent internal contact with authors, editors and agency staff to consult on design concepts and project objectives, determine design and cost requirements, and evaluate program options.

Knowledges: Considerable knowledge of graphic design concepts and art theory, research and analytical techniques; of advertising principles and practices; of printing and related production processes; of current trends in the design field, and of supervisory techniques.

Skills: Considerable skill in production art techniques such as mechanical art preparation, paste-up and layout and the operations of microcomputer and software such as Desktop Publishing to produce graphics.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to supervise graphic design and support staff; to coordinate projects and schedules; to develop creative design concepts; to communicate effectively orally and in writing; to consult with clients and recommend effective design solutions; and to prepare and maintain schedules and a budget.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Graduation from an accredited college or university with course work in communications arts and design, or a related field.

Level and Type of Experience: Considerable experience in production art with project management responsibilities; and some supervisory experience.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledges, skills and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This is a new class developed as part of the statewide Classification Review/Specification Update Program. This class replaces the Graphic Artist Designer class, effective January, 1990.