Lead Designer / Art Directer — Interactive

Are you looking for an opportunity to have real, meaningful design impact? Is working in a fast-paced, fun-loving, and creative environment where your talent is appreciated every day something that you seek? Then come join the team at U.S. News Ventures, a spin-off affiliate of U.S. News and World Report which is moving quickly to build a great presence in the interactive publishing world. We are responsible for custombriefings.com and rankingsandreviews.com, both freshly launched and quickly growing products in digital publishing.

We are seeking a highly motivated design professional looking for an opportunity to be deeply involved in the creation of new products and innovative Web design. This is not a staff job, rather it is a chance to be involved in the strategy, the planning, and the execution of great interactive design. This role will be active in all stages of design, from initial planning sessions all the way through to coding the design of the pages. In addition, this person will support the rapid turnaround of client advertising creative (as needed) and new customer mockups. The ideal candidate should be well versed in best practices of Web user interface design with a vision to create easy and uncomplicated user experiences. This is an excellent opportunity to have a meaningful impact on the design direction for a major branded Web site.

Position Description:

The Lead Designer will have the following responsibilities

1. Lead the development of the visual identity for the company and its products
   
2. Participate in user testing and usability studies
   
3. Be part of the team setting design strategy for all interactive properties
   
4. Liaison with technology and editorial staff on matters of design, UI and visual identity
   
5. Work on all manner of visual creative, including site templates, sales mockups, advertising creative, print marketing materials and more.
   
6. Direct and manage external design resources as needed
   
7. Develop multimedia assets including motion graphics and desktop video pieces.
   

Requirements:

• Five plus years experience designing web sites, with an emphasis on dynamically driven consumer oriented sites. Experience with advertising supported websites is a plus.
  
• Facility with creating simple and intuitive web user interfaces and ability to organize large amounts of content in an elegant and effective manner.
  
• Experience working with HTML, CSS, JavaScript. ActionScript experience is a plus.
  
• Familiarity with designing motion graphics and desktop video a plus.
  
• Proficiency and proven competence with:
  
  
  
  • Photoshop, Illustrator (or similar tools)
    
  • Flash
    
  • Final Cut, iMovie or other desktop video application
    
  • MS Powerpoint and Word a plus
    
  • Quark a plus
    
  
  
• Enthusiasm for a nimble and agile start-up environment
  
• Dedicated focus on delivery and accountability
  
• Appetite for staying in tune with, and quickly learning new trends and tools
  

About the Company:

U.S. News Ventures is an independent affiliate of U.S. News & World Report and Bulletin News Network, combining the best facets of a well-funded, branded startup environment with the power of one of the most respected brands in news media today. Based in Reston, VA (outside of Washington, DC) U.S. News Ventures is developing a unique online consumer media product, http://rankingsandreviews.com, and currently produces a series of high-end custom news briefings. We are growing quickly, and looking for intelligent, talented, and motivated individuals to join our dynamic team. If you are passionate about new media technologies and take pride in your work, we may just be the perfect place for you.

US News Ventures offers competitive salaries and benefits as well as an equity ownership incentive program.

How to Apply:

Please submit your résumé and a link to your online portfolio via email, and mention “Lead Designer” in the subject line.