At a Glance
- Tasks: Create eye-catching designs that enhance the student experience and promote our brand.
- Company: Join Reading Students' Union, a vibrant and inclusive organisation dedicated to empowering students.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 35 days annual leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team culture in a stunning campus environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on student life through your creative design skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in graphic design with strong skills in Adobe Creative Cloud.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Location: University of Reading, Whiteknights Campus, Reading, Berkshire
Salary: £26,992.04 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 35 hours per week, Monday-Friday
Location: Office based
Bring ideas to life and help shape an unforgettable student experience!
About Reading Students' Union
We are a dynamic, student-focused organisation dedicated to empowering students and enhancing their university experience. Our vision is to be a place for everyone; we inspire and empower students to change the world.
This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping how students experience Reading Students' Union. You'll create eye-catching campaigns, develop engaging content and help build a strong, consistent visual identity that reflects who we are and the impact we make.
What You'll Do
- Lead the creative delivery of design projects across digital and physical channels, creating engaging visual communications that promote our services, events, campaigns and opportunities.
- Turn ideas and briefs into designs that connect with students and inspire action.
- Create distinctive, engaging and high-quality creative work that reflects the Reading Students' Union brand.
- Develop creative concepts and visual identities for campaigns, projects, events and organisational priorities.
- Contribute ideas that strengthen the Students' Union's visual presence across digital and physical environments.
- Help evolve and maintain a strong, recognisable brand identity.
- Stay up to date with design trends, creative practice and student culture to keep our communications fresh and relevant.
- Create visual content that is engaging, accessible and relevant to our diverse student communities.
- Transform complex information into clear and compelling visual communications.
- Design materials that support students throughout their university journey.
- Use audience insight and feedback to create effective and meaningful design solutions.
- Champion inclusive and accessible design principles across all creative work.
- Lead design projects from initial concept through to final production.
- Produce high-quality assets across a range of formats including social media, websites, digital screens, email marketing, print, merchandise, signage and event materials.
- Collaborate with colleagues across the organisation to develop creative briefs and deliver effective solutions.
- Manage multiple design projects, priorities and deadlines effectively.
- Liaise with printers, suppliers and external partners to ensure creative outputs are delivered to a high standard.
- Apply and promote brand guidelines consistently across all work.
- Develop templates, resources and guidance that support colleagues in creating on-brand materials.
- Review the effectiveness of design work and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Ensure all creative work meets accessibility, copyright and organisational requirements.
About You
- Professional experience delivering graphic design work across digital and print channels.
- Strong creative and conceptual design skills with excellent attention to detail.
- Experience developing creative concepts and translating briefs into effective visual solutions.
- Strong knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud or equivalent professional design software.
- Experience producing high-quality content across social media, digital platforms, print and event materials.
- Experience managing multiple projects, deadlines and competing priorities.
- Understanding of brand identity and maintaining visual consistency.
- Knowledge of typography, layout, composition and visual hierarchy.
- Understanding of accessible and inclusive design principles.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with colleagues.
- A proactive, solutions-focused approach and commitment to high standards.
- A passion for creating engaging experiences and improving the student experience.
Desirable
- Experience developing visual identities for campaigns, events or projects.
- Experience contributing to brand development or refresh projects.
- Motion graphics, animation or video editing skills.
- Photography, art direction or content creation experience.
- Experience designing for physical spaces, signage or environmental graphics.
- Experience working within a Students' Union, charity, membership, youth or student-focused organisation.
- Understanding of audience insight and how it can inform creative work.
Why Join Us?
- Inclusive and supportive team culture
- Flexible working options
- 35 days’ annual leave including Christmas and Easter closure days
- Professional development opportunities
- Unique working environment in the heart of a vibrant Student’s Union, set on a stunning, green campus.
Ready to make our data-led strategy a reality? Apply today!
Committed to equality, celebrating diversity, and embedding sustainability—building an inclusive workplace and a brighter future for all.
Graphic Designer in Reading employer: Reading Students' Union
Reading Students' Union's Little Learners Nursery offers a nurturing environment where Early Years Practitioners can thrive, supported by a strong commitment to professional development and a collaborative work culture. With 35 days of holiday and the unique advantage of being located on the picturesque University of Reading Whiteknights Campus, employees enjoy a balanced work-life experience while making a meaningful impact on the lives of young children.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Graphic Designer in Reading
✨Show Off Your Skills with a Killer Portfolio
As a graphic designer, your portfolio is your secret weapon! Make sure it's not just a collection of your work but showcases your creative process too. Use platforms like Behance or Dribbble to share your designs and gain visibility within the design community.
✨Get Involved in Design Meetups
Networking is key in the design world! Check out local design meetups or workshops where you can connect with other creatives and potential employers. This is a goldmine for finding unadvertised job openings at companies like Reading Students' Union.
✨Tailor Your Applications
When you’re applying for a full-time role at a creative company like Reading Students' Union, don’t go for a one-size-fits-all approach. Ensure your application highlights specific projects or styles that align with their brand image, showing that you’re a perfect fit for their team.
✨Leverage Social Media
Don't underestimate the power of social media in landing your dream design job! Share your work on platforms like Instagram or Pinterest, and engage with accounts from your desired companies—this could put you on their radar before they start hiring.
We think you need these skills to ace Graphic Designer in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Portfolio:Your portfolio is your visual CV! Make sure to include a link to your best design projects that showcase your creativity and versatility. Tailor it to include works that relate to the kind of design work Reading Students' Union does, so they can see you in action.
Tailor Your CV for Design:When crafting your CV, highlight your design skills and software proficiencies, like Adobe Creative Suite or Sketch. Mention any relevant experience you have with branding, UI/UX design, or typography, as we want to see how you fit in with the creative team at Reading Students' Union.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, share your design philosophy and what excites you about working at Reading Students' Union. Let us know how you approach your design projects and any specific campaigns or themes that resonate with you, showing we’re not just a good fit but a perfect match!
Highlight Collaboration Skills:As a graphic designer, you often work with various teams and stakeholders. In your application, mention experiences where you've collaborated with others to bring a project to life, whether it's with clients, writers, or developers. This shows you can thrive in a team environment, which is key at Reading Students' Union.
How to prepare for a job interview at Reading Students' Union
✨Get Your Portfolio Ready
Your portfolio is your secret weapon in graphic design interviews! Make sure it's showing off your best work, with a variety of styles and projects that highlight different skills — from branding to digital illustration. Be prepared to talk through each piece, focusing on your creative process and the tools you used.
✨Know Your Design Tools Inside Out
Familiarity with software like Adobe Creative Suite is a must! Brush up on your skills with Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, as interviewers might dive into specific technical questions or ask for your workflow. If you’ve worked with any innovative tools or techniques, don't hesitate to showcase that expertise!
✨Prepare for Design Challenges
Some companies may throw a design challenge your way during the interview! This might involve sketching out ideas or solving a branding issue on the spot. Practising these quick thinking exercises beforehand can help us show off our creativity and adaptability.
✨Passion Counts
For a full-time position, showing genuine enthusiasm for design is key! Talk about your inspirations, the projects you're excited about, and why you're drawn to Reading Students' Union. They want to see not just a skilled designer, but someone who'll bring passion and fresh ideas to the team.
