Designer

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is one of the largest museums of modern and contemporary art in the United States and a thriving cultural center for the Bay Area. We cannot imagine life without art; it inspires and connects us every day. Now more than ever, these connections matter and are aligned with our values.

Inclusive: We strive to be a museum of many voices in dialogue.  

Passionate: We believe working with art is more than a job or trusteeship - it's a way of life.  

Brave: We are committed to approaching our work with courage and a sense of adventure, always ready to explore new perspectives.

Empathic: We aim to act like a person, not an institution. 

SFMOMA is a place for the infinitely curious to explore, support, and experience the art of our time. We believe that modern and contemporary art can influence the way we think, view the world, and embrace the many voices and perspectives around us. We aspire to foster an environment that elicits joy, nurtures a sense of belonging and purpose—where difference is seen as a strength, and every one is appreciated for their whole self.

Schedule: Full Time, 35 hours/week, approximately 3 days working onsite

Reporting to the Art Director, the Designer is a member of SFMOMA’s award-winning Design Studio department. Designers play important roles in implementing and translating the vision of our institution into a vibrant and cohesive brand experience.

From concept to implementation, the approach of the Designer needs to be holistic, inspiring, and centered on human experience. This individual must love a challenge, have an eye for detail, work well in a team, and successfully balance aesthetics, innovation, sustainability, consistency, and versatility in their work.

Success looks like at:

- 30 days: Learn as much as you can about the team, department, and organization. Familiarize yourself with our brand guidelines, workflows, and systems. Take advantage of our regular department meetings to ask questions. Understand how your job fits in the department, division, and organization.

- First quarter: Build relationships within the department and across the organization. Identify opportunities to make the most impact without trying to bite off more than you can chew.

- First year: Track progress on your key goals and objectives. Understand how your designs impact the department and the rest of the organization. In collaboration with your supervisor, define long term goals and opportunities for growth. 

• Conceptualize and design visual communications that support museum initiatives and increase audience engagement through a range of media, including print communications, environmental graphics, outdoor media, mobile and online media, print and digital publications, e-communications, and in-gallery digital resources.  
• Develop creative design solutions, applying a finely tuned sense of typography to all projects.  
• Demonstrate an ability to carry concepts through a series of related projects and/or subsequent iterations, and the capacity to design materials and experiences that contribute to a cohesive and vibrant brand, and actively supports SFMOMA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion goals. 
• Meet with client departments to plan the scope and schedule for individual projects; communicate deadlines, schedules, and production information to all necessary museum departments; attend project meetings as a representative of the SFMOMA Design Studio. 
• Manage all aspects of these projects, from implementation to delivery after establishing design, production, and budget parameters for various ongoing projects with supervisor and client(s).
• Schedule, bid, produce, and deliver projects within established budgets, on time, while maintaining museum quality standards. 
• Review proofs, pre-press production, and attend press checks; as well as review design Quality Assurance (QA) of digital products by following existing processes and workflows. Communicate production or technical issues affecting design, schedule, or budget to supervisor (and internal client, if appropriate). 
• Perform other related duties as required. 

• Undergraduate degree in design or related field, or equivalent work experience.  
• Minimum of one (1) year experience in a design office or equivalent. 
• Solid understanding of visual design principles and typography. 
• Demonstrated experience designing for print and responsive web. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.  
• Ability to take initiative, work independently and collaboratively. 
• Excellent organization, time management skills and prioritizing projects.  
• Strong understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion principles, human centered design, and accessibility standards. 
• Understanding of print and digital production; competitive bidding, project management, and signage production; familiarity with animation a plus. 
• Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite required. 

Job posting open date: 12/2/24

All jobs posted will remain open for at least five business days.    

We encourage both internal and external candidates to apply within the initial open posting period as the application close date may or may not be extended beyond that initial period. Applications will not be accepted after a posting has been closed. 

Location: San Francisco, 151 3rd Street. 

Benefits: PTO, Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Accounts, Pet Insurance, Life and AD&D Coverage, Disability Insurance, Mental Health and Wellness Benefits, Discount Programs, Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits, 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan, SFMOMA Membership, and more

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. 

SFMOMA is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. No person shall be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, age, genetic information, ancestry/national origin, marital status, disability, medical condition, HIV status, sexual orientation, veteran/military status, and any other category protected by federal of state law.

You may request reasonable accommodation if you are unable to or are limited in your ability to access job postings or provide additional information asked in the job posting.

You can request reasonable accommodation by contacting the People Team at talent@sfmoma.org.