The Ann Arbor Observer is looking for a freelance graphic designer to join our team! 

Hours: 10–20 per week (varies depending on our production schedule)

Hourly rate: $30

Deadline to apply: December 1, 2026

To apply, send a cover letter,  résumé, and a link to your portfolio or samples of your work to [email protected] and [email protected]. 

You Are…

A creative team player with a belief in the power of local journalism and local businesses. So passionate about design that your algorithm serves up the latest design trends and you’ve got a group chat for graphic design fails. A maestro of multitasking, a problem-solving professional, and tops at time management. Someone who takes pride in doing an important job well — and has fun doing it. 

Advertising Responsibilities

  • Monitor a collaborative workspace for assignments
  • Design advertisements and marketing/promotional materials for print, online, and email
  • Review materials provided by client and determine the appropriate design direction. 
  • Collaborate with advertisers and sales team to correct and develop the ad to completion.
  • Create original design concepts for advertorials

Editorial Responsibilities

  • Mock up and design section layouts, including cover, features, maps, and illustrations
  • Evaluate, file, and adjust editorial photos for print production
  • Create flats plan for each issue based on ad placement and editorial lineup
  • Working with deputy editor, design and post social media content
  • Design weekly header for a2view e-newsletter

Key Qualifications

  • 2+ years of experience in print graphic design
  • Proficiency with Google Workspace and Adobe Creative Suite
  • Preferred: Experience with Canva, Meta, and Signal 
  • Strong organizational, time-management, communication, and problem-solving skills
  • Comfortable with both independent and collaborative work
  • Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities
  • Flexible and open to direction and feedback

We Are…

If you live in Ann Arbor, you know the Observer. Founded in 1976, our monthly city magazine covers local news, politics, culture, business, and events in the Ann Arbor area, in print and online. 

The Observer is a beloved Ann Arbor institution, and we don’t take it for granted, so hold our work to a high standard of quality. We’re a small team, which means our employees work hard and tend to wear a lot of hats. We believe that the intersection of journalism, art, and community has the power to raise awareness, foster meaningful discussion, and cultivate a shared local identity.