Designer II Visual Storytelling

The Visual Storytelling division of ESPN Creative Studio is a team of creative directors, art directors, animators, concept artists, visual journalists, photo editors, web developers, graphic designers, and strategy producers whose work reaches every ESPN platform: We lead the creative direction and execution of on-air brand identities for ESPN’s live events and studio shows. We are responsible for the creative content on ESPN.com and the ESPN app, including photography, illustration, and interactive storytelling. We create and produce key art for ESPN+ and manage product art across our digital products. We manage the design voice of our ESPN brand, from holistic marketing campaigns to cross-platform creative systems.

ESPN Creative Studio is looking for a Designer II to join its award-winning Visual Storytelling team. The Designer II Visual Storytelling position is responsible for the hands-on creation, development and delivery of design and motion across multiple platforms. This role supports both quick-turn and long-range assignments and collaborates with partners across ESPN Creative Studio, including, but not limited to, content, product, marketing, ad sales, and broadcast.

Responsibilities:

• Utilize Adobe Suite to create designs for short-term and long-range assignments. 
• Work under the direction of senior-level leaders to support all ESPN platforms in the creation of elements such as television graphics, key art, quick-form edits, animation packages, cross-company branding, social templates, marketing materials, etc.
• Collaborate effectively with creative and editorial partners to elevate ESPN’s storytelling.
• Contribute compelling, elevated design and motion solutions that support our continual pursuit of creative excellence.
• Integrate seamlessly into established team workflows and processes.
• Translate assignment details and creative direction into custom graphical layout and animated solutions. 
• Possesses strong individual and team communication skills - effectively communicate with Production and Project Assignment peers to ensure strong dialogue exists throughout the day & keep timelines & expectations on track (Teams/Email/Asana).
• Regularly contribute ideas/initiatives, demonstrate desire to push creative to the next level, show aptitude to learn new software to enhance individual versatility on assignments.
• Be highly motivated, work well under pressure, and effectively prioritize multiple daily assignments. 
• Maintain high standards of efficiency, consistency, accuracy, creativity, and timely delivery of all requests. 
• Recognize, report, and help troubleshoot equipment/software/work environment issues. 
• Express a strong willingness to learn, absorb, and flex in the day-to-day.
• Employ decision-making that supports streamlined, systematic approaches to long-term design structures.

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum 3 years of professional motion and design experience working within a creative studio or media organization.
• Strong grasp of motion theory, typography, composition, and hierarchy.
• Fluent with Adobe Creative Suite; Demonstrated hands-on knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe After Effects.
• Proven project management skills with ability to prioritize and meet multiple deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a passion for timely results.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Online portfolio/demo reel showcasing your creativity, design, and type layout skills. 
• Curiosity around shifting industry trends in design and animation; specifically, within a DTC model.
• Reliable work-from-home setup with dependable internet connection.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in Cinema4D
• Knowledge of Figma
• High-level understanding of design within DTC platforms
• Knowledge of the sports design space, trends, and an understanding of ESPN’s place amongst the competition

Basic Education:

• High School Diploma

Preferred Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field

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