Apply now: Deccan Herald is looking for an Art Director

Location: Bengaluru

Salary: Commensurate with expertise and experience.

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Regular (Subject to completion of a 6 month probationary period)

Application Deadline: 20 May

Job Profile

Deccan Herald is among the most widely read English language newspapers in India. Founded in 1948, its editions are published in Bengaluru, Hubballi, Davangere, Hosapete, Mysuru, Mangaluru, Kalaburagi and New Delhi.

An exciting new position has arisen within the design department at Deccan Herald. This is a fantastic opportunity for a highly experienced and motivated editorial art director who has the vision/ skill to oversee the design development of the newspaper and supplements as well as partake in the conception and development of digital projects.

The art director's  main responsibility will be to lead a team of designers and raise the benchmark for design across the paper. The art director will be expected to create high quality layouts for special features and develop original concepts and visuals, including infographics, icons, illustrations, etc.

A confident, refined and contemporary design approach is essential. Excellent organisation and communication skills will be required to manage the day-to-day workflow across the team and to foster good collaborative relationships between departments – acting as the main point of contact between editors, designers, picture editors, freelance illustrators and photographers.

Applicants must have substantial in-house editorial experience – a minimum of three years working as an Art Director and eight years newspaper design/ publishing experience.

What we are looking for

Skills

Design Sense: Refined contemporary graphic design skills with a keen focus on quality, detail and consistency.

Creativity: Genuine flair and creativity. Evident in the creation of original bespoke design work, including layouts for special issues and infographics, icons and illustrations for special features and packages.

Versatility: Able to produce a variety of fresh and contemporary visual styles.Conceptualisation: Shows intelligence in conceptual thinking and can clearly and effectively communicate a desired message visually.

Problem Solving: Able to make quick decisions, improvise and find appropriate design solutions that balance both the visual and practical needs of the content.

Software: Advanced skills in QuarkXpress, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop (latest versions). Skills in digital/ online media will be looked upon favourably.

Critical Analysis: Continually re-evaluates the newspaper design as well as the design team and work processes. Contributes to the evolution of the newspaper, providing practical solutions and a vision for future redesigns.

Communication: Excellent communication, articulation and persuasion skills. Fluent English.

Experience

Work Experience: Possess a minimum of three years experience working as an Art Director and eight years newspaper design/ publishing experience.

Education: Degree in Graphic Design or Visual Communication.

Knowledge

Production: An in-depth understanding of the print production process.

Design: Passionate and knowledgeable about contemporary graphic design and visual communication. Aware of new developments in editorial design and online publishing.

News: A keen interest in news and current affairs.

Stakeholders: Understands the DH brand and the readership.

Behaviour

Responsibility: Efficiently oversees the entire design process and ensures the best visual display.

Leadership: Leads, organises and motivates a team of designers and nurtures creative growth. Organises regular team meetings and monitors team productivity. Art directs photo-shoots for special features and commissions freelance illustrators. Handles a budget for creative services.

Team Work: Offers valuable contributions to editorial meetings. Works seamlessly between the news desks and designers. Nurtures a supportive and collaborative environment and balances expectations/ requirements.

Organisation: Successfully manages own workload as well as that of others. Plans special features ahead of schedule. Works systematically and prioritises work to deadlines. Develops and maintains a digital archive of bespoke graphic iconography and imagery.

Flexibility: Accommodative, adaptable to frequent change and thrives in a fast-paced environment.

Character: Shows motivation, initiative, focus and ambition.
Please send a cover letter along with your CV and design portfolio to:

DGM - HR, The Printers (Mysore) Pvt Ltd
No. 75, M G Road, Bengaluru - 560001 or e-mail to [e-mail]