Graphic Designer & Brand Visual Specialist

Graphic Designer & Brand Visual Specialist

Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose

Position Title: Graphic Designer & Brand Visual Specialist

Department: Marketing & Communications

Reports To: Director of Marketing & Communications

Status: Contract to Hire, Full Time Exempt, 100% on-site

Salary Range: $73,000 - $80,000 DOE

Position Summary

The Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose is seeking a highly creative, organized, and brand-driven Graphic Designer & Brand Visual Specialist to lead the visual expression of the museum across all platforms and guest touchpoints. This role serves as the primary steward and gatekeeper of the museum’s visual identity, ensuring consistency, creativity, and excellence in all branded materials.

The ideal candidate is an exceptional designer with experience in both print and digital media, strong visual storytelling skills, and a passion for creating engaging family-focused content. In addition to graphic design responsibilities, this role includes photography, videography, video editing, and collaborative content development with the Content Marketing Manager to support outbound marketing communications and audience engagement.

This position plays a critical role in shaping how families, educators, donors, sponsors, and the community experience the museum brand.

Essential Responsibilities

Brand Management & Visual Identity

Serve as the primary guardian and gatekeeper of the museum’s visual brand standards across all departments and public-facing communications.
Manage, balance and prioritize incoming design requests from all departments across the museum.
Maintain and evolve the museum’s visual identity, ensuring consistency in logos, typography, color palettes, photography, illustration styles, templates, and messaging aesthetics.
Review and approve visual materials created internally or externally to ensure alignment with brand standards.
Develop and maintain brand guidelines and asset libraries.
Collaborate cross-functionally with departments to elevate visual presentation and storytelling throughout the museum experience.

Graphic Design

Design high-quality print and digital materials including:
Event promotions
Exhibit graphics
Museum signage
Flyers and brochures
Advertising campaigns
Membership and fundraising materials
Educational resources
Website graphics
Email marketing assets
Digital ads
Presentation decks
Merchandise and retail graphics
Prepare production-ready files for print vendors and digital platforms.
Ensure projects are completed on time while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.

Videography & Photography

Capture photo and video content during museum programs, exhibits, festivals, events, and community outreach activities.
Produce and edit short-form and long-form videos for:
Social media
Marketing campaigns
Digital advertising
Donor and sponsorship storytelling
Museum promotions
Internal communications
Assist with storyboarding, scripting, shot planning, and creative direction including setting up mics, placing lighting, and framing shots.
Maintain and organize photo/video asset libraries.

Social Media & Marketing Collaboration

Work closely with the Content Marketing Manager to develop visually engaging outbound communications and campaigns.
Support real-time event coverage and content creation during festivals, activations, and special events.
Collaborate on content calendars, campaign themes, and multimedia storytelling strategies.
Design platform-specific assets optimized for Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, email, and web.
Contribute creative ideas that enhance audience engagement and strengthen brand visibility.

Creative Strategy & Innovation

Participate in campaign ideation and creative development meetings.
Stay current on design trends, social media best practices, family entertainment marketing trends, and emerging digital storytelling techniques.
Recommend new creative approaches, tools, and technologies that strengthen the museum’s visual communications.
Experience with and an understanding of AI tools for multimedia, and the ability to navigate AI to elevate projects skillfully and with thoughtfulness.
Ability to handle any other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Marketing, Multimedia, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.
Minimum 3–5 years of professional graphic design experience.
Strong portfolio demonstrating branding, marketing design, and multimedia storytelling.
Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including:
Photoshop
Illustrator
InDesign
Premiere Pro
After Effects (preferred)
Additional design program essentials like Canva and PowerPoint.
Experience with photography, videography, and video editing.
Expert understanding of digital and print production processes.
Excellent visual communication and typography skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment often with same-day or next-day turnaround.
Strong collaboration and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to work evenings and weekends for frequent special events and programs.

Preferred

Experience working in museums, nonprofits, cultural institutions, family entertainment, education, or hospitality industries.
Experience designing for experiential environments and public spaces.
Expertise in social media content creation and platform trends.
Motion graphics or animation experience.
Knowledge of web design platforms and CMS systems.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Thorough understanding of branding and visual storytelling.
Ability to translate ideas into compelling visual experiences quickly.
Highly organized with strong attention to detail and quality control.
Ability to receive feedback and adapt creative work accordingly.
Passion for creating meaningful experiences for children and families.

Physical Requirements

Ability to move throughout museum spaces and event environments.
Ability to lift and transport photography/video equipment and materials up to 25 pounds.
Ability to stand for extended periods during events and productions.

Compensation & Benefits

CDM is committed to fair and equitable compensation in accordance with California pay transparency requirements.

Salary range: $73,000 – $80,000 annually
Health, dental, and vision benefits
Paid time off and paid holidays
Retirement plan options with employer match
Museum membership and program benefits
Professional development opportunities

Equal Opportunity Statement

Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose is an at-will, equal opportunity employer. CDM does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

CDM is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. To request an accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer.

How to Apply:

Please submit a cover letter, resume and link(s) to portfolio or work samples to [email protected]. All are required for consideration.

Pay: $73,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental insurance
Health insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off
Vision insurance

Work Location: In person