Description

Dallas Symphony Orchestra (DSO) is seeking a detail-oriented and highly skilled Freelance Editorial Graphic Designer to support our Marketing, Communications & Guest Services department. This contract role will collaborate closely with the Creative Services team to design and produce printed concert program books for the 2026–2027 season.

This role plays an important part in shaping the visual and editorial presentation of materials distributed at every performance. The position requires working hours ranging from 60–100 per month depending on production schedules.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a world-class arts organization and help shape the visual storytelling that thousands of concertgoers experience each week.

Key Responsibilities

Design and produce concert program books for the 2026–2027 season (August 2026 – May 2027), including:

Classical Series
Pops Series
Dallas Symphony Presents Series

Translate Complex Editorial Content Into Engaging, High-quality Layouts, Including

Artist biographies
Program notes and repertoire information
Sponsorship and donor listings
Department updates and feature content

Additional Responsibilities

Apply and adapt existing creative assets to align with established seasonal design templates and themes
Ensure strict attention to detail, accuracy, and consistency across all materials
Manage pagination and layout flow to meet required page counts and print specifications
Prepare press-ready files following best practices for high-quality print production
Work efficiently under tight deadlines and respond quickly to revisions and last-minute updates
Collaborate with internal stakeholders across multiple departments to incorporate feedback
Implement revisions accurately and thoughtfully while maintaining design integrity
Conduct thorough quality control, reviewing spacing, alignment, formatting, and adherence to templates before submitting proofs

Requirements

Proven experience in editorial graphic design, preferably in publishing, performing arts, or nonprofit environments
Strong portfolio demonstrating layout design, typography, and print production work
Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign required; Illustrator and Photoshop preferred)
Solid understanding of print production processes, including pagination, file setup, and prepress standards
Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills
Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams
Experience working with long-form content and high-volume text layouts is highly preferred
Application submissions must include a portfolio showcasing relevant editorial and print design work

Schedule & Engagement

Contract role averaging 60–100 hours per month
Project-based work aligned with concert production schedules
Flexible working hours, with availability for deadlines and revision cycles required

Dallas Symphony Orchestra

New Jobs

Freelance Editorial Graphic Designer