Junior Designer

About Democracy Docket

Democracy Docket stands as a leading independent digital media outlet focusing on pro-democracy efforts, specifically addressing voting rights and election-related court activities nationally. Established in 2020 by Democratic voting rights attorney Marc Elias, the newsroom upholds a fact-driven approach to reporting that exposes courtroom developments and holds powerful entities accountable. With a detailed database exceeding 1,000 cases, it serves as the definitive resource for election-related litigation news and analysis, influencing election policies and democratic processes broadly.

The platform reaches a wide audience, including over 450,000 newsletter subscribers receiving both daily and weekly editions, along with a premium tier offering unique content. It also maintains a significant social media presence surpassing one million followers across platforms, with more than 600,000 subscribers on YouTube.

Role Overview

The Junior Designer will integrate with the Design & Brand team, focusing primarily on two areas: crafting editorial graphics for articles on the website and supporting the audience team by creating graphic assets tailored for social media channels. This position requires close collaboration with the news team to transform reporting into creative visuals such as lead article images, infographics, charts, and maps, making complex information accessible and engaging.

Additionally, the designer will maintain and improve a repository of social media templates, ensuring brand consistency and timely adaptation of graphics for various platforms including newsletters. This role reports directly to the Design Lead and demands a keen eye for design, an aptitude for storytelling through visuals, and a passion for political news.

Key Responsibilities

• Create leading graphics and supplementary in-article visuals for editorial content, often under tight deadlines.
• Maintain and refine a comprehensive template library for social media consistent with the established style guide, aiding audience engagement.
• Adapt website graphics to formats suitable for other mediums like social posts and newsletters.
• Organize graphics files meticulously to ensure easy access for team members.
• Work hand-in-hand with reporters to guarantee accuracy and clarity in all editorial graphic representations, particularly infographics, charts, and maps.
• Collaborate with the audience team in developing social media graphics based on provided text and concepts.
• Uphold and contribute to the visual branding standards across all editorial and social content.

Qualifications and Skills

• At least two years of experience in graphic design through professional work, internships, freelancing, or significant academic projects.
• A portfolio showcasing illustration expertise, preferably including editorial and infographic work.
• Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Canva.
• Highly self-driven with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Deep understanding of visual storytelling principles and effective design techniques.
• Ability to juggle multiple projects efficiently in a fast-paced, news-driven environment.
• Open to constructive feedback and able to integrate suggestions effectively.
• Skilled in translating complex data and information into clear, attractive graphics.
• Eagerness to learn new tools such as interactive graphics platforms like Flourish.studio is advantageous.
• Experience with animation and video editing (Adobe After Effects and Premiere) is desirable but not mandatory.
• A genuine interest in politics, news media, voting rights, and democracy is essential.

Work Environment and Schedule

This full-time role is based in either the Washington, D.C. or Jersey City office. The organization's core hours span 9am to 6pm. The hybrid work schedule includes remote work on Mondays and Fridays with in-office presence required from Tuesday through Thursday.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, and provide a link to their portfolio as part of the application process.

Employee Benefits

• Eligibility for merit-based annual bonuses.
• Full employer coverage of medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums.
• 401(k) plan with a 6% company match available after a 3-month period.
• Commuter benefits to offset daily travel expenses.
• Generous paid time off policies including 18 days of annual PTO (which increases with seniority), 10 paid Health & Wellness days, 2 personal days, and 11 recognized holidays.

Commitment to Diversity

Democracy Docket is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion. All qualified candidates will receive equal consideration regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.