GRAPHIC DESIGN MANAGER 35074

01/01/90 A

This is the fourth and managerial 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 managing the most complex graphic design programs that develop and produce informational, instructional, and promotional publications or related materials. Design programs managed by positions at this level are typically found in agencies with extensive national and international promotional campaigns. Positions in this class serve as managers and senior designers of units that produce unusually complex design projects and/or supervise graphic art and design services provided to other state agencies or additional programs such as typesetting for design, printing and photography. Design projects are characterized by a wide variety of publications or other products that incorporate multi-color processes, precision detail, and special effects. This class is distinguished from the Graphic Design Supervisor class by its responsibilities for managing graphics programs of greater scope and complexity and with extensive national and international markets and audiences; as well as its emphasis on managerial duties, and supervision of a substantial staff that includes Graphic Design Supervisor, several professional designers, and typesetting, printing and photography specialists.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of unusual difficulty in managing a graphic design program and additional activities such as photography and typesetting or printing activities that includes developing complex design concepts; and maintaining aesthetic, financial, and production control standards. Projects typically include full-color catalogs, professional publications, and promotional literature intended for an extensive market. Job duties require independent judgment and decision making in managing project budgets, schedules, and resources. Duties include developing and implementing program policies and quality standards; allocating financial and staff resources; and developing communication objectives into effective and economic design concepts. Design activities include consulting with clients and staff experts; analyzing designs to evaluate their effectiveness; developing the most complex design concepts; and determining methods for the most cost effective and best quality production. Managerial activities include hiring and evaluating staff, assigning priorities, scheduling, ensuring design standards are met, controlling financial resources, and resolving problems encountered with design creation and modification. Other duties include developing long-range plans and production estimates; analyzing information and communication objectives; preparing budget and equipment proposals; and reviewing and evaluating technological changes in the design field. Some positions manage the design of other agencies' projects including the cost and achievement of marketing and communications objectives; provide professional counseling services and establish and manage agency-client accounts.

Supervision Given: Provides supervision to a large staff including Graphic Design Supervisor, Graphic Artists and Designers, printing typesetting specialists, photographers, office services staff, student aides, and interns.

Supervision Received: Positions work under the administrative direction of a higher level public relations or publications manager or faculty member. The work is reviewed for achievement of communication, marketing, and visual identity objectives.

Scope: Work affects the successful management of the design, resources, production and long-range planning for graphic art services and programs for an agency that usually has extensive national and international audiences.

Impact of Actions: Effective job performance ensures the achievement of program objectives, including fostering and sustaining a positive agency identity, generating revenues through marketing of agency services, and developing subordinates professionally. Errors in judgment may have a negative effect on the agency's economic, promotional, program and marketing objectives.

Personal Contacts: Frequent external contacts with professionals in the design field, vendors, authors, editors and printing companies to discuss projects, ensure production control, and resolve problems; and internally with clients to analyze objectives and recommend design concepts.

Knowledges: Comprehensive knowledge of full-color graphic design and art theory, and fine art standards used in production, research and analytical techniques; of advertising principles and practices; of printing and related production processes; of current trends in the design field; and of management techniques.

Skills: Considerable skill in production art techniques such as mechanical art preparation, paste-up and illustration using various media, and in the operation of microcomputers and software/hardware such as Desktop Publishing for graphics production.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to manage graphic design and production operations and staff; to coordinate complex 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: Extensive experience in all areas of communication arts, design, and production. Considerable experience in project management and in staff supervision.

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 Fine Arts Museum Graphic Designer class, effective January, 1990.