Advertising Assistant Art Director
About JCPenney
JCPenney is one of America's leading retailers, operating 1,106 department stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as one of the largest apparel and home furnishing sites on the Internet, jcp.com, and the nation's largest general merchandise catalog business. Through these integrated channels, JCPenney offers a wide array of national, private and exclusive brands which reflect the Company's commitment to providing customers with style and quality at a smart price. Traded as "JCP" on the New York Stock Exchange, the Company posted revenue of $18.5 billion in 2008 and is executing its strategic plan to be the growth leader in the retail industry. Key to this strategy is JCPenney's "Every Day Matters" brand positioning, intended to generate deeper, more emotionally driven relationships with customers by fully engaging the Company's approximately 150,000 Associates to offer encouragement, provide ideas and inspire customers every time they shop with JCPenney.
Designs initial project layout/template using InDesign. Converts initial thumbnails and ideas into effective retail advertising art or photography, to promote immediate sales and achieve the Company's fashion/brand image goals.
Assists Art Director in marking up layouts and mechanical art to maintain the timely flow of pages in the advertising production process. Ensures accuracy and provides personal accountability of the final art for assigned projects.
Translates advertising copy into good visual concepts designed to stimulate customer interest and sales of Company merchandise and present desired Company image.
Designs and directs the development of visual concepts for special requests, ROP, direct mail as assigned. Art directs small projects as assigned within direct mail.
Implements specific typographic style/format to ensure completion of comprehensive layouts by established due dates.
Assists with photographic art direction including basic lighting, direction, styling and editing of digital files. Takes on creative lead responsibilities when assigned.
Compiles a resource file of outside retail advertising to keep abreast of current design and merchandise trends. Evaluates effectiveness of competition's presentation to improve Company presentation.
Education: College or art school degree or equivalent experience.
Experience: 5 or more years' catalog or agency experience.
Core Competencies: Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production; knowledge of media production, communication and dissemination techniques and methods. Must be proficient in Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and other MAC based applications. Excellent attention to detail.