Senior Graphic Designer — Billboard

Role overview

This is a project-based billboard and out-of-home (OOH) design role that may lead to ongoing assignments for the right designer. The initial scope is a large campaign involving 45+ billboard artworks, with additional work expected afterward if the collaboration works well.

You will take approved copy, brand templates, brand colors in navy and gold, and portrait photos, then turn them into print-ready and digital-ready billboard creatives for a campaign thanking U.S. members of Congress. This is production-focused work, not social media design, so you must be comfortable handling large-format files, vendor specifications, CMYK output, bleed and safety areas, and delivery packaging for outdoor media vendors.

Key production scope

The work includes building static bulletin artwork for both print and digital billboard formats. The campaign covers roughly 15 officials with 3 message variations each, resulting in 45+ versions.

Artwork must be prepared to the exact requirements of each vendor spec sheet, including dimensions, scale, resolution, color mode, bleed, and safety margins for vendors such as Lamar, Clear Channel Outdoor, and OUTFRONT.

Responsibilities

• Create static 14' × 48' bulletin layouts and matching digital bulletin creatives from supplied copy and brand templates.
• Follow each vendor’s specification sheet precisely, including file size, scale, output resolution, color settings, bleed, and safety area.
• Cut out and mask portrait photos cleanly, including detailed edges around hair and shoulders, then blend them into branded backgrounds.
• Keep the design system consistent across 45+ variations by using master files, smart objects, and reusable styles.
• Use out-of-home design best practices, such as concise messaging, large readable typography, strong contrast, and proper placement of legal disclaimers.
• Deliver packaged print-ready files in CMYK with outlined fonts, linked or embedded assets, and PDF/X exports, along with RGB JPGs for digital placement.
• Recommend or source higher-resolution images when provided artwork is too small for print production.
• Manage edits, proofs, and overflow copy while meeting vendor timelines, including the typical lead time of around 10 working days before a board goes live.

Requirements

• At least 3 years of professional graphic design experience, ideally with genuine billboard, OOH, large-format, or print production work.
• A portfolio that shows relevant large-format or production design samples.
• Advanced skills in Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop; Adobe InDesign is an added advantage.
• Strong typography and layout judgment, with a clear understanding of how to make copy readable from a distance.
• Solid photo retouching, masking, and cutout ability.
• Practical print-production knowledge, including CMYK workflow, scaled building methods, bleed and safety areas, rich black usage, file packaging, and PDF/X export.
• Understanding of digital OOH production, including RGB output, exact pixel sizing, and static-only artwork with no animation.
• Careful attention to detail and the discipline to work strictly to specification.
• Strong written English and dependable, responsive communication.
• Ability to work with Adobe Creative Cloud and handle large file sizes on a reliable computer and internet connection.
• Comfort using Google Drive or Dropbox for file sharing.
• Availability to take on revisions and follow-through tasks as needed.
• Willingness to complete a paid test assignment if shortlisted.

Bonus experience

The following experience would be helpful but is not mandatory:

• Work involving U.S. political, advocacy, or issue-based advertising.
• Direct experience producing artwork to Lamar, Clear Channel Outdoor, or OUTFRONT requirements.
• Ability to source and license high-resolution stock imagery or photography.
• Basic motion or digital OOH skills.

Application instructions

Applicants are expected to begin their message with the word “BULLETIN,” share a portfolio, highlight relevant billboard, large-format, OOH, or print-production work, explain in a few sentences how static 14×48 bulletin files differ from digital bulletin files, and include availability plus preferred rate structure, whether hourly, monthly, or per board. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Paid test

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to complete a small paid test. The test requires producing two outputs from supplied portrait, copy, and brand colors: a print-ready 14' × 48' bulletin built at 1 inch = 1 foot, in 150 ppi CMYK with 1? bleed and the correct 48? × 14? safety area, exported as a packaged print PDF; and a 1400 × 400 px RGB digital bulletin JPG of the same concept.

The test is paid, and submissions will be judged on spec accuracy, typography readability, and the cleanliness of the photo cutouts.

Technical reference

• Static bulletin build scale: 1 inch equals 1 foot.
• Static bulletin trim size: approximately 49? × 15? with 1? bleed and a 48? × 14? live/safety area.
• Static bulletin resolution: 150 ppi at the scaled size.
• Static bulletin color mode: CMYK.
• Static bulletin output: high-resolution packaged PDF with fonts outlined.
• Digital bulletin size: 1400 × 400 px, though this can vary by board.
• Digital bulletin resolution: 72 dpi.
• Digital bulletin color mode: RGB / sRGB.
• Digital bulletin output: high-resolution JPG.
• Digital bulletin motion: static only, with no animation.
• Exact requirements may differ by vendor and board, so each spec sheet must be reviewed carefully.

Other notes

This role requires the ability to work to exact outdoor advertising standards and to handle repeated versioning efficiently. The expected workflow includes branded template use, photo compositing, prepress preparation, and delivery of vendor-compliant files for both printed and digital placements.