9G11
PAY RANGE: 20
GENERAL DEFINITION
This is graphic design work, creating and producing marketing design concepts for the Philadelphia Free Library, Department of Planning and Development, or the Water Department. Employees in the Free Library assignment are responsible for producing marketing materials to support a wide variety of programmatic activities for the City's library system. Employees in the Water department assignment are responsible for creating marketing material to develop and maintain the Water departments’ brand and visual identity. Employees in the Department of Planning and Development are responsible for creating marketing materials for the department and external agencies. Employees in this class are responsible for planning, researching, and producing multi-themed promotional, educational, and informational materials designed to increase public awareness of and support for departmental programs and services. Employees are responsible for assigned projects from conception to completion, and may oversee the work of illustrators and/or printers on a project basis. Work may include overseeing the creation and installation of exhibitions, the production of collateral materials, and ensuring that projects are completed within budget and deadlines. Assessing department needs, proposing design concepts, and advising various departments and affiliate agencies about materials used for advertisement, promotional and informational purposes is a significant aspect of the work. Work is performed under the direction of a higher level administrator.
ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following criteria must be met in order for a position to be approved for this class.)
1. Positions in this class must plan, research, develop, and produce a wide range and high volume of promotional and educational materials, and utilize a wide variety of media to visually represent promotional concepts.
2. Positions in the Free Library assignment must be responsible for promotional projects, including oversight of illustrators and curators, from concept to completion.
3. Positions located in the Water department assignment must be responsible for creating promotional material and for directing graphic design consultants and interns on a project basis.
4. Positions in the Planning and Development assignment must be responsible for developing promotional materials for the department and affiliated agencies on a project basis.
5. Positions must be located in the Free Library, Department of Planning and Development, or the Water Department.
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)
All Assignments
Plans, researches and develops graphic art presentation concepts; functions as member of marketing design team; develops synthesis between promotional concept and design to effectively communicate marketing strategies; proposes concepts for and designs a large variety of graphic materials; prepares representational, in-scale renderings for department and ancillary agency representatives; consults with subject matter experts on design concepts; conducts research on society, cultures, peoples and historical events related to selected marketing strategies; conducts research on artistic and architectural styles, historic issues and prevailing ideas to develop accompanying design text; creates graphic, written and printed collateral and on-line work products to uphold the department’s brand.
Determines the layout of a wide variety of pamphlets, posters, brochures and other graphic material; illustrates the graphic materials with drawings, creates layouts and mechanicals on the computer, placing the copy and illustration or photograph in position; utilizes graphic design software, including image optimization and image editing applications; specifies color using overlays; registers overlays to ensure correct alignment of color with illustration; specifies dimensions and fold lines on the mechanical; presents design ideas to marketing team and administrators; designs special awards; may design special-use public spaces, such as preschool library rooms, including layout and color scheme; ensures that designs are consistent with intended use.
Collaborates with reprographic staff to complete projects; prepares specifications for printer, indicating such requirements as color, size, type of paper and other features; reviews bluelines to ensure that specifications have been met; reviews press proofs to ensure that colors used produce the best visual effect; creates and maintains production schedules to determine that printed materials are delivered as ordered.
Prepares specifications for copy indicating point sizes, resolution, letter and word spacing, headlines, and column depth; determines appropriate colors to be used; selects the quality of paper to be used.
Designs and produces visual materials for displays, exhibitions, and award presentations; advises various departments and ancillary clients on the design and production of graphic materials and either produces or arranges the production of those materials; recommends types of graphic material to accomplish publicity or public relations objectives.
Reviews and recommends the work of subordinate illustrators or contracted graphic designers for technical adequacy and effective visual presentation.
Performs related work as required.
Free Library Assignment
Uses the Free Library’s brand architecture and style rules to guide the creation of promotional pieces for the Free Library’s citywide system which may include but are not limited to posters, building signage, booklets, bookmarks, fliers, buckslips, print ads, digital marketing pieces, graphics for social media; collaborates with curators, printers, and other outside vendors as needed for project execution; makes recommendations exhibition curators; designs and displays panels; installs exhibitions and displays.
Water Department Assignment
Performs utility brand architecture audit and analysis; combines elements of informal education and marketing to develop easy-to read graphics; designs and creates infographic assets and data-visualization graphics; utilizes print and web collateral including but not limited to bill stuffers, web banners, graphics for social media, advertisements and posters, and environmental graphics and displays for events; develops environmental and display graphics for dimensional forms such as bottle-refilling stations and drinking fountains; provides annotated design development drawings, specifying graphics for application on water fleet vehicles; provides guidance and consultation for a system of web manuals that spans across several units within the Water Department.
Planning and Development Assignment
Designs, translates concepts into materials, and distributes material regarding overall department activities; provides graphic design materials for subrecipient agencies and designs advertising for department and affiliated agencies; reviews and rewrites contracts, recommends bid processes and vendors; provides cost itemizations, reviews invoices and production quality.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE OF:
• commercial art methods, practices, techniques and tools
• the processes, methods and techniques used in producing graphic art
• the equipment used in producing graphic art
• typography and of the printing processes used in graphic design work
• the fundamentals of design, color, harmony and composition
• the philosophy and purpose of free libraries in general, and the Free Library of Philadelphia in particular if required by assignment
• computer graphics production
• Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and/or other image optimizing and editing applications
• sources and uses of research materials available to express a wide variety of design concepts
• project management principles related to graphic design
SKILL IN:
• the care and use of graphic design/art materials and equipment
ABILITY TO:
• display creative imagination and ability as an artist and designer
• prepare designs, illustrations, layouts and displays
• utilize graphic design software including illustrative and editing programs
• utilize printers, copiers, and other reprographics equipment
• perform research for graphic art projects
• evaluate a variety of subject matter materials
• meet strict publishing deadlines and work within prescribed budgets
• review and recommend the work of subordinate illustrators, graphic designers and/or curators
• use Windows, iOS and Android operating systems as required by assignment
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with consultants, associates and departmental administrators
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 7/16.)
EDUCATION:
Completion of a four-year diploma or degree program at an accredited art school, college or university, with major course work in graphic design, visual communication design or a closely related field.
AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE:
Two years of experience performing art or graphic design work.
AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:
Two years of technical graphic design experience with responsibility for the design and production of educational, developmental, promotional or informational material for a wide variety of thematic or environmental projects.
OR
Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources which has included the specific experience as listed above.
NOTE: Selective Factor Certification may be utilized, as needed, to fill specific positions. In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 11.032 - Selective Factor Certification – the appointing authority may request certification of eligible candidates with the specified education, training and/or experience to fill specific positions in this class. Certification to fill such position will be made from the two highest ranking eligible candidates on the eligible list who possess the specified experience.
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
Class Established - 1/53
Spec. Revision: CSC - 5/98, Ad. Board - 6/98
Spec. Revision
CSC – 6/16, Ad. Board – 7/16
Latest Spec. Revision
CSC – 9/19, Ad. Board – 10/19
SA