West Austin News - Freelance Magazine Designer / Art Director: West Austin News

Art Director is needed in Austin, United States.

Client: West Austin News

Location: Remote

Contract: Part-time

Job Description

West Austin News is relaunching as a premium, full-bleed, magazine-style monthly publication in Austin, Texas. The designer will create the publication’s visual identity and produce the layout for each 20-page issue.

• Develop a design system including the grid, typography, color palette, department headers and refreshed masthead/logo.
• Lay out monthly editorial content, advertisements and photography.
• Collaborate with the publisher on content flow, page planning and production deadlines.
• Prepare press-ready PDF/X files according to the printer’s specifications, including correct bleeds, CMYK color and embedded fonts.

Requirements

• Strong portfolio demonstrating magazine or high-end print editorial design; portfolio links should be provided.
• Expert proficiency in Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator.
• Strong understanding of print production, color management and prepress for heat-set web-press printing.
• Excellent typography, layout and photo-handling skills.
• Reliable, deadline-driven and easy to work with.
• Professional experience designing and laying out print magazines or high-end editorial publications.
• Experience preparing press-ready PDF/X files with CMYK color and bleeds.
• Austin-area candidates are preferred for occasional in-person meetings.

Publication Format

• 11 × 17 inches with full bleed.
• 20 pages per issue.
• Printed monthly on satin/silk-coated stock using a heat-set web press at Shweiki Media in San Antonio.
• Premium editorial style featuring strong photography, refined typography, a consistent grid and generous white space.

Compensation and Schedule

• Independent contractor position paying $60–$80 per hour.
• Approximately 20 hours per month for each monthly issue.
• Additional hours may be available for the initial redesign, subject to agreement.
• The listing also states expected hours of 20–30 hours per week.

Application Information

Applicants should provide a portfolio link and answer questions about their magazine design experience, web-press production experience, availability, Austin-area location, deadline management and previous publication roles.

Work Location

Remote, with occasional in-person meetings preferred for Austin-area candidates.