Part-Time Graphic Designer

Bard Graduate Center (BGC) invites applications for a part-time Graphic Designer (Designer) for a one-year appointment, July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026, with the possibility of an extension. This is an on-site position at our campus on West 86th Street in New York City.

The Bard Graduate Center is a graduate research institute in New York City dedicated to the study of the cultural history of the material world and committed to the encyclopedic study of things, drawing on methodologies and approaches from art and design history, history of technology, philosophy, anthropology, and archaeology and cultural history. Our students gravitate to careers in museums, academia, the art world, and publishing. Our MA and PhD degree programs, gallery exhibitions, research initiatives, and public programs explore new ways of thinking about decorative arts, design history, and material culture.  

The Designer will work with the Consulting Art Director on the design and execution of a variety of projects across the institution, including materials for marketing and fundraising, gallery exhibitions, MA and PhD degree programs, research initiatives, publications, and public programs, for print, motion, digital, and social media. 

The Consulting Art Director will assign responsibilities to the Designer on a weekly and monthly basis. These may include promotional flyers, email and webpage headers, signs and posters, social media graphics, digital and print advertisements, promotional brochures and other marketing collateral that adhere to the institution’s brand standards and work within its overall visual identity. This is an excellent opportunity for a junior designer who is interested in working in museums, galleries, publishing, or academia. 

The Designer must take direction easily and enjoy working under the leadership of the Consulting Art Director, but be comfortable working independently as needed. The position requires the ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously while adhering to deadlines. The Designer will work closely with other departments throughout BGC and must have a positive, collaborative approach.

Responsibilities:

• Support a variety of graphic design projects across the institution.
• Design attractive and effective materials in a variety of media.
• Work within brand standards and existing templates but accommodate and adapt to the needs of specific projects.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues in Marketing, Development, Finance and Administration, Academic Programs / Recruiting, Digital, Exhibitions, Visitor Services, Publications, and Public Humanities + Research.
• Prepare design files for production.
• Communicate with vendors relating to design and fabrication as needed.
• Adhere to production schedules, budgets, and deadlines.
• Keep current on emerging design technologies, standards, and trends.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design or equivalent experience.
• 1-3 years of experience designing marketing collateral preferred.
• Fluent in Adobe Creative Suite; InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects. 
• Proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Highly detail oriented.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Strong written and verbal communications.
• Ability to excel under tight deadlines and independently manage projects.
• Outstanding work ethic.
• Successful interpersonal skills including ability to take direction and build productive working relationships.
• Motion design experience a plus.

Preferred Qualifications:

• An interest in the arts or art history.
• Previous experience in a museum or gallery setting.
• Experience with project management software such as Basecamp.
• Knowledge and experience in print production.
• Video editing, HTML, CSS, Keynote, PowerPoint.
• Experience and interest in photography.

We expect the successful candidate to be stronger in some qualifications listed above than others; we are committed to helping our future colleagues expand their skills and hope to learn from their areas of strength.

Please submit the following to [email protected]: 

• A cover letter outlining your interest in the position 
• A résumé that details your education and coursework, employment history, and any honors or awards 
• Portfolio (six to eight examples of recent work)
• Contact information for professional references 

Applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Bard College is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome applications from those who contribute to our diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information.