Visual Story Designer (Editorial)

Join our team at the Guardian and be a part of a diverse and inclusive global organisation that delivers fearless, investigative journalism, and holds power to account. Our team of award-winning journalists, cutting-edge commercial professionals, and industry-leading digital experts are committed to making a difference and represent a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives. We offer a challenging and exciting environment for career development, with a focus on training, growth and fostering an inclusive culture.

We are now looking for aVisual Story Designer (12 month fixed term contract). You will be responsible for designing and developing visual news and feature stories that use graphics, scrollytelling and interactive elements; to bring a fresh perspective to visual stories, ensuring  they look highly appealing to readers wherever they appear, from the largest of retina screens right through to the tiniest of smartphones.

Our award-winning team creates and produces visual journalism around key issues of public interest, from the climate crisis to the cost of living; from  air pollution to elections results; from visual investigations to interactives on the affordability of housing. 

About the Role

• Work with reporters and editors to come up with innovative visual treatments and styling for news stories that have a graphics/interactive/spatial focus, for anything from breaking news through to longer-term investigative projects
• Contribute ideas to how stories can be told in new ways, designing compelling and immersive experiences of our journalism on mobile screens
• Work with illustrators, other designers, visual editors and graphic artists to design around news graphics, creating styles and page layouts that easily house charts and maps
• Mock up visual treatments for interactive graphics such as election results or cabinet reshuffles, and design around data visualisation to different breakpoints
• Design layouts, styles and contribute ideas about how to structure stories, in keeping with the Guardian’s editorial voice

About You

There are several different profiles that would be a good match for this role; while wireframing and experience in full-page digital page layout is essential, we are not expecting a candidate to have all of the different knowledge and experience listed below.

• Proven experience in wireframing and developing creative page layouts for digital is essential
• A flare for Visual Storytelling
• Experience with responsive design, progressive enhancement, accessibility 
• Proven graphic and web design experience within a newsroom or journalistic publication (essential); interactive design experience is also highly desirable
• Experience in UX and UI and how it can enhance the reader experience
• Experience in data visualisation and design theory
• Knowledge of front-end web development technologies (HTML, CSS, Javascript) 
• Experience working with a variety of mixed media assets (video clips, before/after photo sliders, scrolly maps)
• Experience in motion design
• Experience with modern web graphics APIs (SVG, Canvas) is desirable
• A keen ability in image-making with a developed eye for illustration and graphic design
• Ideally, you’ll have a demonstrable ability to bring a diverse perspective to this role 

We actively encourage applications from candidates who are BAME or from other groups traditionally underrepresented in the UK media.

How to Apply

To apply, please upload your latest CV and a cover letter which outlines why you’d love to take on this role, and why you’re a great match for what we’re looking for.

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 16th April 2024.

All roles at the Guardian are open for everybody to apply. It is important to us that you feel supported and comfortable throughout your recruitment process, in order to perform your best. Please let us know if there are any changes we could make to the recruitment process to make it easier and more comfortable for you. Please contact Sean Brinkley at sean.brinkley@guardian.co.uk to discuss further so we can work with you to support you through your application.

Benefits at the Guardian

We offer 30 days annual leave per annum, plus a holiday purchase scheme. Our pension scheme is generous; if you contribute 5% then we will contribute 8-12% (depending on your age). We believe in giving back, which is why employees are given 2 volunteering days annually and the option of payroll giving. Season ticket loans are also available.

You are entitled to life cover, income protection, healthcare, and eye tests. You can also opt in to dental insurance.

We have enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave policies in place. We also support our employees by offering an IVF, menopause, baby loss, and trans equality policy.

Culture & Wellbeing

We want everyone to feel like they belong at the Guardian and we champion diversity of thought. Our various employee forums provide a platform to use their voice to foster an inclusive workplace.

You will also have the opportunity to hear unique insight from our journalists in our morning conference, a live discussion on the news story of the day.

We offer great tools to help you prioritise your wellbeing including free yoga and pilates. These run alongside our corporate gym membership and cycle to work scheme.

Learning & Development

We encourage personal and professional growth. Employees have access to a broad range of tools and solutions, and we are happy to support the pursuit of professional qualifications through vocational courses and apprenticeships. 

Our Working Environment

We take pride in our surroundings and are pleased to offer versatile meeting rooms and colourful communal areas. We have a brilliant canteen that caters to breakfast, lunch and dinner, with views overlooking Regent’s Canal. Our multi-faith prayer room provides privacy for those who require a safe space when in the office.