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Experience Design Manager

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SXSW

1mo ago

  • Job
    Full-time
    Senior Level
  • Design
  • Austin

AI generated summary

  • You must have graphic design experience, proficiency in Adobe tools, time management skills, strong attention to detail, communication skills, and ability to handle multiple projects efficiently.
  • You will coordinate signage production, collaborate on design, manage templates, train staff, oversee print processes, and ensure consistent signage during events while maintaining schedules and communication.

Requirements

  • Proven graphic design experience
  • A degree in design or a related field is a plus
  • Proficiency in Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Photoshop. After Effects skills are a plus
  • Design efficiency, flexibility & time management skills
  • Strong typographic skills, including a keen eye for typographical errors
  • Strong attention to detail and accuracy; meticulous
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
  • Ability to work independently, with the team, and with external vendors
  • Proficiency in Google Cloud applications such as Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides
  • Knowledge of Airtable, JotForm, PageProof, Box, and Dropbox is a plus

Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with the team, stakeholders, and vendors to establish deadlines and a production schedule for a range of physical wayfinding and branding signage.
  • Collaborate with other teams to assess signage needs and map out locations for large-format wayfinding and branding graphics.
  • Update supporting documents, including Signage Policy and How-to Guide, as well as conduct training to advise and support staff with signage needs, including making requests, onsite coordination, and post-event recycling.
  • Work closely with other experienced designers to produce impactful branded designs, route them through internal stakeholders for approval, and compile them into a portfolio that will serve as a guide for the season.
  • Produce flexible, production-ready, large- and small-format signage templates (using Adobe InDesign and Illustrator) that adhere to established brand guidelines, serving as the foundation for creating hundreds of unique signage designs.
  • Generate internal request forms and corresponding Airtable bases to organize & track signage details, assess production needs, and keep jobs on schedule.
  • Instruct Seasonal Production Artists and Experience Designers to support signage production, including design template training, sponsor logo process, and signage approvals.
  • Work within existing design templates to both produce and coordinate production (with support from Seasonal Production Artist) for a large volume of work in various sizes.
  • Prepare files for print, meticulously ensuring each file prints as intended, as press checks are not always possible, and time is of the essence.
  • Communicate and coordinate with external print vendors, from file delivery and proof checking to on-site receipt of physical signage.
  • Attend several weekly meetings.
  • Hire, train, and manage a Seasonal Event Signs Coordinator on all small-format signage requests.
  • Contribute to the team effort by taking on production projects as bandwidth allows.
  • Work closely with the Planning department and the Print Manager to review and confirm the accuracy of graphics invoices.
  • Serve as point of contact and lead for physical signage deliveries, standing sign deployment, and other signage tasks as needed.
  • Walk through venues daily to ensure signage displays stay consistent throughout the events.
  • Liaise between the Experience Design team, SXSW staff, and print vendors as necessary.
  • On-call for any Experience Design Team needs.
  • Work required on-site signage shifts.

FAQs

What is the primary purpose of the Experience Design Manager role?

The primary purpose of the Experience Design Manager role is to coordinate and produce engaging, branded visual assets across various media while meeting deadlines, ensuring consistency in design across digital and physical touchpoints.

What kind of projects will the Experience Design Manager be involved in?

The Experience Design Manager will be involved in a range of projects including the production of physical wayfinding and branding signage, as well as managing both small- and large-scale design assignments.

What software proficiency is required for this role?

Proficiency in Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Photoshop is required. Skills in After Effects are a plus.

Will the Experience Design Manager be working independently or as part of a team?

The Experience Design Manager will work collaboratively with other team members, stakeholders, vendors, as well as independently to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.

What are the physical requirements for this position?

The physical requirements include facilitating load-in and load-out duties, walking, sitting, and standing for long periods, and occasionally lifting up to 30 pounds.

What does the training process involve for the Seasonal Event Signs Coordinator?

The Experience Design Manager will be responsible for hiring, training, and managing the Seasonal Event Signs Coordinator on all small-format signage requests.

How often will the Experience Design Manager be required to work on-site?

The Experience Design Manager will need to work on-site during the event, which may include additional shifts for signage tasks and daily venue walk-throughs to ensure consistency.

What is the expected work schedule during the peak months?

The core business office hours are Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, but the Experience Design Manager must be available to work additional hours, including evenings and weekends, from January to March.

What qualifications are preferred for candidates applying for this position?

Candidates with proven graphic design experience and a degree in design or a related field are preferred, along with strong typographic skills and attention to detail.

What is the reporting structure for this role?

The Experience Design Manager will have a direct report in the form of a Seasonal Event Signs Coordinator.

Helping creative people share ideas and achieve their goals since 1987. SXSW 2023: March 10–19 | Austin, TX

Entertainment & Media
Industry
201-500
Employees
1987
Founded Year

Mission & Purpose

Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of the interactive, film, and music industries. The event, an essential destination for global professionals, features sessions, showcases, screenings, exhibitions, and a variety of networking opportunities. SXSW proves that the most unexpected discoveries happen when diverse topics and people come together.