Graphic Designer, ESSENCE Festival of Culture - Contract Position

About Essence Ventures
Essence Ventures was established with the goal to articulate through experiences, media, technology, and commerce, that Black is not a monolith. Essence exists to serve Black Women deeply through culture, equity and celebration — encouraging and equipping them to embrace the power of their roles standing at the forefront of their lives, homes, and communities. We accomplish this mission and vision through our incredible and distinct brands: ESSENCE Communications, Inc. (ESSENCE, Girls’ United, Naturallycurly.com), AFROPUNK and ESSENCE Studios.   

Overview 
Essence Ventures is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Graphic Designer to play a crucial role in supporting the multifaceted day-to-day creative demands of the renowned ESSENCE Festival of Culture (EFOC). This contract position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to one of the most significant celebrations of Black culture. The Graphic Designer will work in close collaboration with the Growth Marketing Manager and will interact seamlessly with various cross-functional teams, including digital and audience development, social, the broader creative team, and sales, as required to meet project objectives. This role demands a proactive individual with a strong aesthetic sense, exceptional organizational skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and produce a wide array of visually compelling materials for both print and digital platforms, ensuring brand consistency and impactful communication. This includes but is not limited to marketing collateral, social media graphics, website assets, email templates, event signage, and promotional materials.
• Maintain a meticulous approach to all projects, ensuring they are completed to the highest quality standards and delivered on agreed-upon schedules, proactively communicating any potential roadblocks or delays.
• Contribute to the ongoing evolution of the company's overall creative direction, actively participating in the establishment and refinement of brand guidelines to ensure a cohesive and impactful visual identity across all touchpoints.
• Effectively prioritize and manage multiple design projects simultaneously, adhering to established design specifications and working within defined budget restrictions, demonstrating strong time management and resource allocation skills.
• Perform advanced retouching, manipulation, and color correction of photographic and other visual assets to ensure they meet the required quality and aesthetic standards.
• Demonstrate versatility in working with a diverse range of media formats and possess a high level of proficiency in utilizing industry-standard graphic design software and tools to execute creative concepts effectively.

Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in graphic arts, visual communication design, or a closely related field, providing a strong theoretical foundation in design principles and practices.
• A minimum of 3 to 5 years of demonstrable professional experience working as a graphic designer, with a portfolio showcasing a strong understanding of visual hierarchy, typography, and contemporary design trends.
• Comprehensive knowledge of design principles, including layout composition, graphic fundamentals, typography (both print and digital), and best practices for both print production and web design.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, coupled with an exceptional eye for detail, ensuring accuracy and visual appeal in all design deliverables.
• Proven experience in managing diverse project timelines and varying project scales, demonstrating an expert ability to handle numerous tasks concurrently while maintaining a high level of organization and attention to detail.
• Familiarity with basic web technologies, including HTML and CSS, is preferred, indicating an understanding of how design translates to the digital environment. Expert-level proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite applications, including PhotoShop, Illustrator, Sketch (or similar UI design tools), and InDesign, as well as other relevant graphic design software, is essential.
• Demonstrated proficiency in utilizing Google Suite (including Docs, Sheets, Slides) and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for communication, collaboration, and project management.

Dates: This contract position will span from May 2025 through July 15, 2025, encompassing the pre-event planning, execution, and post-event wrap-up phases of the ESSENCE Festival of Culture.

Rate: The contracted rate for this position is $3,250.00/month, payable in equal semi-monthly installments on the 15th and the last working day of each month.

Location and Travel: The ESSENCE Festival of Culture is scheduled to take place at the Caesars Superdome in the vibrant city of New Orleans from July 4th to 6th, 2025. All necessary pre-event visits and event day-related travel arrangements, including flights and hotel accommodations, will be fully covered by ESSENCE. Additionally, a pre-designated per diem will be provided for each required trip to cover incidentals.

Agencies: Essence Ventures is not partnering with agencies nor accepts unsolicited resumes and will not be responsible for any fees or expenses related to such unsolicited resumes and/or applicants.

If you require reasonable accommodation during the application and selection process, please let us know by contacting HR@sundialmediagroup.com. We will work together to best meet your needs.