UI/Visual Designer

Important information pertaining to our COVID-19 protocols, including our hybrid workforce options, can be found here.

Salary range is $24.03/hr to $48.07/hr, with a midpoint of $36.05/hr. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under general direction, the User Interface (UI)/Visual Designer is responsible for participating in all stages of a digital project or product, from understanding the goals, developing prototypes and refining concepts through technical and creative insight. Responsibilities may also include delivering a broad range of visual communication projects from digital to print, signage and displays. Must be able to work collaboratively to deliver positive user experiences, incorporate direction and feedback and coordinate projects from scoping, concept development to execution and production.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

UI/Visual designers may have different focus areas depending on business needs and interest/expertise.

• Envision and develop designs and provide design direction to developers and contractors to create user-centered products for soundtransit.org, other Agency microsites and digital channels.
• Participate in concept development and generate user-centered design solutions that are simple and intuitive.
• Design the user experience at each stage of the design process with requirements, wireframes, flow diagrams, mockups, and/or high-fidelity prototypes, sharing deliverables with stakeholders regularly.
• Solicit feedback from users, designers, developers and product managers to gain different perspectives to shape and deliver quality products.
• Design end-to-end user interfaces that are adaptable to different platforms and screen sizes.
• Create and manage digital style guides, design systems and design patterns.
• Design and create static and animated visual content for website, social media and email.
• Design and produce visual assets including maps, illustrations and icons.
• Collaborate with product managers, engineers, researchers, writers and other designers and cross-functional stakeholders to understand requirements, and propose thoughtful, user-centered solutions.
• Meet with clients and stakeholders to understand the business challenge/goal and technical challenges to solve their problems.
• Self-starter, able to work proficiently both independently and in a team environment.
• Apply a keen eye for detail and create beautiful, engaging, intuitive interfaces.
• Strong initiative to find ways to improve solutions, systems, and processes.
• Develop and apply Agency brand standards and guidelines.
• Present and provide rationale for and defend design recommendations.
• Provide project management, including client care, development of scope of work, schedule, and placing orders for print products.
• Stay up-to-date on the latest industry standards.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit’s Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in user-centered design, communications, graphic design, digital design or closely related field and three years of experience in graphic design, including hands-on UI experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

None

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Basic front-end languages: HTML5, CSS, and principals of responsive design and modern software development workflow
• Operations, services and activities of a graphic design production program and associated equipment.
• Methods and techniques used in the development of graphic presentations, drawing and photo editing.
• Visual branding and standards, signage programs and sign design principles including facility types/locations, naming convention, templates, font ratio and kerning,
• Pertinent local, state and federal laws and regulations.
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, international symbols, sign fabrication techniques.
• Printing and print production practices, procedures and processes; techniques, paper specifications, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) printing requirements and mailing requirements.
• Methods and techniques of marketing.
• Basic project management techniques.
• Quality assurance and proofing.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Modern office procedures, methods and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets and presentation tools.
• Visual design with proficiency in typography, desktop/mobile UI, color, layout, iconography and an aesthetic sense for how these elements impact product function.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and familiarity with technical constraints and limitations.
• Effective oral and written communication.
• Providing art direction.
• Design system and pattern creation experience.
• Creating complex interactive prototypes to express interactive design ideas based upon user and stakeholder input and feedback.
• Creating storyboards, user flows and wireframes.
• Understanding of end-to-end user interfaces that are adaptable to different platforms and screen sizes.
• Experience creating and/or updating web style guides.
• Understanding of basic animation creation.
• Understanding of design principles, including color, typography and information hierarchy.
• Visual design and UI tools such as Adobe CS, Sketch and InVision.
• Microsoft Office software and applications.
• Establishing and maintaining collaborative working relationships with other division and Communications Department staff, management, vendors, and other stakeholders.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a standard office environment.
• Subject to standing, walking, bending, reaching, stooping, and lifting of objects up to 25 pounds.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)