Designer (editorial)

This part‑time designer for editorial will support the visual presentation of NEWSWELL Chicago’s journalism across four publications — Austin Weekly News, Forest Park Review, Riverside‑Brookfield Landmark and Wednesday Journal of Oak Park & River Forest. Working closely with the Editorial and Digital Design Lead, you will assist with layout and design for print editorial content and ensure pages are visually appealing, correctly formatted and ready for print production. You also will help ensure ads appear in the proper location and are cleanly integrated with editorial pages. As the “first line of defense” in page layout, you will catch formatting issues, design inconsistencies and production errors before publication, contributing directly to the high‑quality appearance of all products.

This role is ideal for designers who enjoy fast‑paced production environments, have a sharp eye for detail, and are eager to support a newsroom serving Chicago’s communities.

In February 2026, NEWSWELL acquired the assets of Growing Community Media, the longtime publisher of these four storied Chicago-area newspapers, to ensure these vital outlets have the stability, resources and vision they need to thrive for generations.

NEWSWELL helps newsrooms become nonprofit and for-community , providing strategic guidance, innovative solutions and wraparound operations so journalists can focus on what matters most: serving their communities. Through partnerships with Arizona State University — named the nation’s most innovative university for 11 years in a row — NEWSWELL brings cutting-edge ideas, research and tools to reinvent local news and strengthen democracy.

The hourly pay rate for this role is $20.00.

What you’ll do

• Assist with layout and design of editorial content across all four NEWSWELL Chicago print publications.

• Ensure stories and advertisements are correctly formatted, visually appealing and placed according to page plans and templates.

• Serve as the first line of defense for catching layout issues, including misaligned elements, incorrect typography, spacing, missing assets and formatting errors.

• Support the Editorial and Digital Design Lead in weekly page production, special projects and design workflows.

• Prepare pages for print production, checking bleeds, color profiles, image resolution and final file integrity.

• Follow established design templates, style guidelines and brand standards to maintain visual consistency across all products.

• Update graphics, photos, pull quotes and other design elements as needed to support editorial layout.

• Collaborate with editorial staff to ensure layouts reflect story hierarchy, news value and readability.

• Communicate proactively about missing assets, photo needs or scheduling issues that may impact production.

• Support the workflow for special sections, adjusting layouts and design elements according to editor and advertiser needs.

• Occasionally assist with digital assets, such as resizing images or preparing simple visuals for digital products.

What you'll need

• Proficiency in Adobe InDesign; basic working knowledge of Photoshop or Illustrator.

• Strong attention to visual detail, layout structure, hierarchy and typography.

• Ability to work efficiently under deadline pressure and handle multiple pages or tasks at once.

• Good communication and collaboration skills with editors and design leads.

• Understanding of print production basics (resolution, file setup, PDF export settings).

• Commitment to accuracy, consistency, brand alignment and high design standards.

Relevant qualifications

• Coursework or experience in graphic design, journalism, visual communication or related field.

• Entry‑level experience in layout design or print production (professional, internship or student media experience accepted).

Preferred education and experience

• Experience working in a newsroom or print publication environment.

• Familiarity with Chicago neighborhoods and community‑focused journalism.

Preferred skills and abilities

• Spanish fluency is a plus.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance

• 401(k) plan with matching employer contribution

• 22 days of vacation time

• 11 holidays, including your birthday

• Parental leave

• Significant tuition reductions

• Professional development is highly valued at ASU Enterprise Partners, where employees are encouraged to look across the organization and nurture new areas of interest

• $30 bi-weekly cell phone reimbursement

NEWSWELL is an Equal Opportunity Employer