Dartmouth Design Director DALI Lab

Dartmouth

Title: Design Director DALI Lab

Department: Computer Science

Position #: 1125506

Category: Exempt

Date: 06-2016

Position Purpose

Design lead for the Digital Arts Leadership and Innovation (DALI) Lab, which includes design work for the lab as a whole along with instruction and mentorship for student (undergraduate and graduate) design teams. The Design Director is part of the Leadership team for the DALI Lab, working closely with the Executive Director and Technical Director to set the direction of the lab, works with student teams and serving as an advisor and liaison with outside partners. Oversees web and mobile UI/UX of DALI Lab projects and DALI brand identity and materials. Educates the teams on design best practices and creates design resources for the lab. Promotes experiential learning, mindful design, and lab design methodology. Facilitates the success of many multi-disciplinary teams working on diverse projects in a collaborative startup-like environment.

Key Accountabilities

Design Leadership and Planning

• Works with the DALI leadership team and student members to establish the DALI Lab’s design vision.
• Leads the DALI Lab’s design processes (including Human-Centered design, UI/UX, graphic and product design).
• Develops design standards, guidelines, and training resources.
• Collaborates with the Executive and Technical Directors and other lab staff to establish lab policies, expectations, methodologies, and culture.
• Identifies growth opportunities and facilitates a process for improvement that is design focused and inclusive..
• Manages multiple projects, with multiple colleagues, in a deadline-driven environment.
• Keeps current on design trends and research in order to bring best practices into the DALI Lab.
• Works with Executive Director and Technical Director on Alumni relations and other outreach and fundraising efforts. Helps design and develop DALI Lab marketing and communication materials.

Design UI/UX

• Inspires users and audiences with compelling designs while maintaining visual consistency and brand identity and conveying the personality of DALI.
• Conceptualizes and designs graphics for web, mobile and print.
• Drives the further development of the DALI UI/UX and HCD design process.

Training and Team Supervision

• Mentors over twenty teams per term, ensuring quality of design work and efficacy of results.
• Provides in-person training, training materials, and onboarding for new team members.
• Meets with groups and partners to help student teams determine the best design approach for each project.
• Helps students develop and enhance design/artwork by gathering information and data to clarify design requirements.
• Develops testing methodologies and helps students implement user testing.
• Empowers others to take ownership of their work and communicate their design decisions confidently and effectively.

Communication and Professional Development

• Facilitates clear communication between and among design teams, project managers, and external partners.
• Maintains current knowledge of design UI/UX best practices and design trends for software solutions.
• Maintains industry connections for recruiting and workshops.
• Works with student teams and lab staff to write papers/journal articles and submit work to design conferences and competitions.

Performs other duties assigned.

Position Requirements

Skills & Knowledge Strong portfolio of design work. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Capable of presenting designs and workshops clearly and effectively to both internal and external audiences Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with faculty, students, and external partners Ability to think and act strategically and proactively. Understanding of web standards/web browser capabilities and ability to create pages that work with different browsers and platforms. Ability to conceive and execute compelling, informative designs for print, web, and mobile. Ability to actively inspire and motivate and promote a creative and supportive work culture for students. High level of creativity with strong visual and content sensibility. Solid knowledge of typography, color, UI design, and layout principles for print and web. Ability to set priorities and meet deadlines despite frequent interruptions. Ability to provide guidance to others and set direction for teams/projects. Fluent in Adobe CC, Sketch, InVision, Pixate and other design tools. Commitment to diversity and to serving the needs of a diverse community.

Experience Two years of experience in a design capacity. Experience designing web and mobile interfaces, large-scale digital experiences, and/or applications. Successful track record leading interdisciplinary teams in creating great products in a fast paced agile environment, with proven skills in mentoring, presenting, client partnership and visual communication. Experience in design asset management and practices as well as agile methodology and coordination tools such as git, slack, and trello. Experience with teaching UI/UX concepts and best practices preferred. Experience and comfort working closely with and guiding students.

Education Bachelors or the equivalent combination of education and experience. Degree in graphic or digital arts, design or related discipline preferred.