Web Design & Digital Communications Student Assistant

Web Design and Digital Communications Student Assistant

Position Overview:

• Department: Library and Instructional Support / Lydia M. Olson Library
• Wage: $14.75 / hour
• Hours: Flexible (determined around your class schedule)

The Lydia M. Olson Library is seeking a creative and dependable student assistant to support our web, visual media, and social media presence. This role is a great opportunity to gain practical experience, build public-facing portfolio pieces, and learn digital accessibility and design tools.

Work is split approximately:

• 75% Website & Digital Media: Web design, graphics, video, & photography.
• 25% Library Communications: Social media content and library announcements.

Primary Responsibilites

• Web & UX Design: Assist with designing clear, user-centered web layouts and mockups (using tools like Figma).
• Media Creation: Photograph library events, design promotional graphics, and record/edit short instructional videos.
• Content & Social Media: Help write news items and create content for library social media channels.
• Digital Accessibility: Learn to apply accessibility standards (closed captioning, alt-text, etc.), to visual media.

What You'll Gain

• Published, real-world experience for your resume and future portfolio.
• Hands-on training in digital accessibility, Figma, video production, and content management systems.
• Experience working alongside library professionals on university-wide projects. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Eligible for NMU student employment.
• Demonstrated interest in web design, graphic design, photography, video production, writing, or social media.
• Basic computer skills and an eagerness to learn new software and tools.
• Strong communication skills, organization, and attention to detail.
• Note: You do not need to be proficient in every area - a willingness to learn is key! Coursework or experience in design/communications is a plus, but not required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Coursework or experience in web design, UI/UX, graphic design, photography, video editing, feature writing or social media.
• Prior experience or coursework using design and editing software (e.g. Adobe Creative Cloud, Adobe Express, or open-source tools like GIMP/DaVinci Resolve),  along with an eagerness to build upon those foundational skills.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit:

1. Resume
2. Brief Cover Letter outlining your interest in the position and any specific areas you'd like to focus on (e.g., video, web design, writing, social media).

(Optional: if you have prior class projects, personal work, or visual samples you'd like to share, feel free to attach links, but formal portfolios are not required to apply.)