Lead Designer / Aalto University
Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We shape a sustainable future by making research breakthroughs in and across our disciplines, sparking the game changers of tomorrow and creating novel solutions to major global challenges. Our community is made up of over 12,000 students, 400 professors and more than 4,500 other faculty and staff working on our dynamic campus in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, Finland. Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community’s diversity and inclusiveness. This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community.
Are you a visionary creative professional wishing to work for a higher purpose and sustainable impact? Are you passionate about designing brand identities and concepting meaningful brand experiences?
We are looking for a Lead Designer to concept and guide the development of Aalto University’s brand essence and visual identity. You will lead key design projects such as: visual identity, photography style, and have creative input on the concepting of marketing campaigns, events, physical and digital brand touch points, including brand input in DX and developing the Aalto University Shop as a brand touchpoint. You will elevate communications work with compelling design concepts that empower the community and elevate the brand.
Core responsibilities
You will guide internal graphic designers and creative agencies in concepting and producing visual communications for internal stakeholders and external audiences (e.g. prospective students and employees, alumni, partners, donors and media).
You will get to work with a wide variety of branded communication materials, from brand identity elements to printed matter, from presentation materials to brand experiences and campaigns, from web pages to illustrations and branded merchandise.
You will also actively collaborate with various internal clients, to help them identify their needs for new or revised design concepts, and present design concepts to them.
You will develop ways to visually communicate the exciting things happening at Aalto. As part of this, we also hope you will be able to visualize complex scientific findings and concepts into easy-to-understand infographics.
You will need the following technical skills:
- Proficiency with Adobe softwares (Illustrator, Indesign, Photoshop)
- Ability to create basic mockups in Figma or Adobe XD
- Ability to present and convey ideas and concept using Powerpoint or Keynote
Your experience, mindset and skillset
- We are looking for a passionate, visionary, ambitious creative professional, with a positive attitude and strong sense of ownership. You are solutions orientated and eager to help your team succeed.
- You have a minimum of 5 years’ experience working as a designer, including experience on leading brand identity projects and concepting holistic brand experiences.
- You are fluent in written and spoken English. Finnish is not required, but seen as an advantage.
- You have a collaborative mindset and the ability to work with multiple stakeholders.
What we offer:
- A meaningful and inspiring environment. We are proud of our purpose to shape a sustainable future. We are driven by a desire to make a positive impact on the world, by sparking he game-changers of tomorrow and solving major challenges with research-based knowledge, creativity and an entrepreneurial mindset.
- A culture that inspires and includes everyone. All our work is guided by the values of the university: responsibility, courage, and collaboration. It’s the people that create Aalto, now and in the future. We want to be an open community where equality and inclusion enable curiosity, innovation, creativity, collaboration and wellbeing.
- A responsible and meaningful role with true impact on Aalto’s brand essence and visual identity.
- Support, coaching and sparring when you feel you need it.
- Great possibilities for competence development and learning. We continuously strive to find the most impactful ways to empower and invest in our people.
There is great freedom in your role, and we have a flexible modern working culture. We value work-life balance and well-being in all aspects of life. We also have long holidays (6 weeks per year). You will be part of the Brand and Creative team and report to Head of Brand & Creative. The contract is for two years.
We work in a hybrid way, and the primary workplace is Otaniemi, Espoo. The Otaniemi campus is a thriving and connected community of 100 nationalities, over 12,000 students and 4,500 employees. Life at the transformed campus is vibrant and filled with amazing architecture, calming nature, and a variety of cafes, restaurants, services and good connections along the recently opened metro line.
Join us!
If we sound like a right fit for you, please submit your CV, portfolio references and cover letter by Sunday 5th of March, 2023 through our recruitment system. If you wish to learn more about the position, you can contact our Head of Brand & Creative, Eivor Biese on +358 40 839 9706.
We will go through applications, and we may invite suitable candidates to interview already during the application period. You will hear from us the latest at the end of week 11. We aim to have a transparent and equal recruitment process, so feel free to ask us for feedback.
More about Aalto University:
Aalto.fi
twitter.com/aaltouniversity
facebook.com/aaltouniversity
instagram.com/aaltouniversity