Mid/Senior Web Designer - iDeas Lab

 

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a non-profit, bipartisan public policy organization established in 1962 to provide strategic insights and practical policy solutions to decision makers concerned with global security and prosperity. Over the years, it has grown to be one of the largest organizations of its kind, with a staff of some 200 employees working to address the changing dynamics of international security across the globe.

 

The Andreas C. Dracopoulos iDeas Lab, the award-winning creative and digital production department at CSIS, an international policy think tank in Washington, D.C., continues to be the gold standard for innovation in using cutting-edge multimedia production to bring policy research to life.   

 

We seek a highly motivated, organized, creative self-starter to join our dynamic and fast-paced team as a mid-level or senior web designer. This is an ideal opportunity for a seasoned web designer with advanced design, UX/UI, technical and communication skills with a passion for bridging the intersection between design, technology, and public policy. This position is involved in all aspects of digital product design. Projects include but are not limited to: issue-focused websites, dynamic data visualizations, interactive digital features, long-form media-rich digital reports, and other web products and media packages.

 

Ideal candidates will have excellent creative initiative and independent self-direction, coupled with an aptitude for design and collaboration within a multi-disciplinary team. Candidates should have advanced UX/UI design skills. They must have strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills, solid project management skills, and be organized. They must have the ability to multi-task and adapt in a fast-paced environment while meeting deadlines.

 

Candidates must be tech-savvy and highly competent with new and developing methods of web design and development. The position works closely with a range of subject-matter expert clients and must have strong topical and visual research skills, ideally with a passion for public and international affairs. Additionally, the candidate will be a strong team player and possess strong leadership skills.

 

See our work at https://www.csis.org/dracopoulos-ideas-lab or www.github.com/CSIS-iLab.

 

The minimum salary range for this position is $70,000 - $90,000. Salary and title are based on the level of experience and expertise of the chosen candidate. 

 

Please note this is not a web developer position. It is a pure web design role and only those with web design experience will be considered.

 

 

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to the following:

 

 1. Technical requirements-

• Produce and design deliverables including sitemaps, wireframes, full-fidelity visual comps, UI component libraries, and custom graphics (static and animated) as specified by the project's needs.

• Test and review front-end development output.

• Document design decisions and formulate development specifications.

• Produce deliverables that effectively communicate information architecture, interactions, and responsive designs to research partners. 

• Collaborate with developers to mockup and review data visualization UI and color palettes.

 

2. Collaboration-

• Collaborate, brainstorm, and strategize with web developers, product leads, and clients to design a range of advanced-level digital products, including websites, dynamic/media-rich digital reports, interactive tools, visualizations, single page applications, and maps.

• Prepare and present concepts/work to stakeholders, articulating design thinking and decisions to non-designers and content expert clients.

• Skilled at giving and receiving feedback in an effective and empathic manner.

 

3. Leadership- 

• Collaborate with iDeas Lab leadership to define project priorities and roadmap the future of digital products.

• Work closely with clients to identify their objectives and audiences, developing a product vision and strategy.

• Lead on strategic design and user-experience decisions, ensuring a unified vision and aesthetic within a product. 

• Provide visual, strategic, and organizational recommendations, acting as a design resource for clients and the internal team.

• Maintain resources and build practices to help improve the team’s processes.

• Help lead formal and informal design critique sessions. Encourage team participation. Provide constructive feedback.

• Serve as a knowledgeable mentor and sounding board on design to associate and mid-level colleagues as it relates to digital products.

• Other duties and projects as needed.

 

 

• B.A./B.S/A.B. in relevant field or other relevant experience, including bootcamp training or freelance work. 

• Minimum 4 years of experience in UX/UI design outside of training experiences.

• Advanced understanding of UX best practices and design principles.

• Advanced knowledge of design and prototyping tools, such as: Adobe Creative Suite and Figma.

• Excellent command of visual design capabilities, including composition, layout, information hierarchy, typography, and color discernment.

• Ability to create in a wide range of media, including web, social, email, and ideally video and data visualization technologies.

• Expert understanding of the website design and development process, including working knowledge of: HTML/CSS, taxonomies and content types, the WordPress platform, mobile responsive design, accessibility standards.

• Excellent knowledge of UX/UI best practices and experience with user interface design patterns, UCD methodologies, and common UX challenges.

• Zest for challenging assignments, with an eye toward creative and innovative solutions.

• Flexible, positive, collaborative, action-oriented attitude and professional approach.

• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills; including effectively presenting information to non-technical partners, operating in a fast-paced environment and managing competing priorities.

• Attention to detail, initiative, and follow through skills.

• Strong interest in global affairs and public policy is a plus.

• Sound judgment, maturity, and discretion.

• Illustration skills are a plus.

 

Some Technologies we use at the iDeas Lab- 

• GitHub

• Adobe Creative Suite

• Figma

• Monday.com

• Shorthand

• Figma

 

You don’t need to be proficient in all of these, but you should know some of them. The ability to and interest in learning others is a must.

 

 

This position will be based out of our Washington DC headquarters and is expected to be in-office 3+ days per week. The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee working in an office environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.   

 

 

 

 

Interested applicants should submit a résumé, cover letter, and college transcript at https://careers.csis.org/.