National Journal is seeking an AI Visual Design Specialist to support and execute internal and client-facing design initiatives across the organization. This role combines strong data visualization and design fundamentals with AI-powered creative workflows to produce high-quality visual deliverables that inform, engage, and inspire key audiences such as executives, boards, advocates, and policymakers.
At National Journal, your work will help translate complex research and policy insights into clear, compelling visual narratives that shape decisions for clients. This is an opportunity to experiment with emerging AI-enabled design tools, explore new formats for communicating data, and see your work directly influence strategy and decision-making. A portfolio demonstrating strong visual design, data visualization, and motion work is required for consideration.
About National Journal
National Journal is a premier research and insights company committed to helping organizations effectively navigate Washington. Best known as one of Washington’s most trusted media brands for over 50 years, our expertise spans government affairs, communications, political research, and exceptional journalism.
Our mission is to equip government and business leaders with the intelligence, insights, and connections they need to save time, increase efficiency, and deliver results.
What is National Journal’s Creative Team?
Our team develops creative assets that engage, educate, and deliver value to clients while generating market interest in National Journal products. We work closely with business team partners to acquire new clients and retain existing partnerships.
This fast-paced, deadline-driven environment requires managing multiple projects simultaneously and adapting quickly to shifting priorities.
The creative team also explores emerging technologies, including AI-powered design and generative tools, to enhance workflows, accelerate production, and expand storytelling possibilities across projects.
Why This Role Matters
Design and data visualization play a critical role in how National Journal communicates complex research and strategic insights to members and clients.
The AI Visual Design Specialist will transform data, analysis, and policy insights into compelling visual formats that make information more accessible, memorable, and actionable for decision-makers.
Through thoughtful visual storytelling and AI-enhanced design workflows, this role helps clients understand public opinion, stakeholder dynamics, and emerging risks, enabling them to communicate effectively and strengthen long-term relationships.
The Role
The AI Visual Design Specialist will work closely with our Presentation Center team to create engaging, visually compelling deliverables that support members’ strategic goals. This role focuses on visual communication, infographics, data visualization and storytelling. It does not involve software engineering, coding, or front-end development.
This role involves collaborating with analysts and strategists to design a wide range of client-facing materials, including:
- Data visualizations
- Infographics
- Animated graphics and motion content
- Social media assets
- Newsletters and reports
- Interactive visuals
- One-pagers and short publications
- Multimedia storytelling assets
Reporting to the Senior Creative Director, this individual will work cross-functionally with project managers, analysts, and specialists, helping shape the visual expression of our research and insights.
Design clear, compelling data visualizations and visual narratives that communicate complex insights to decision-makers
Produce high-quality client-facing materials including charts, infographics, presentations, reports, and motion graphics
Apply AI-assisted design and generative visualization tools to accelerate production and explore new storytelling formats
Translate quantitative and qualitative research insights into engaging visual formats
Support the full design lifecycle, from concept and wireframes to production and final delivery
Collaborate with analysts, strategists, and project managers to ensure visuals accurately represent research findings
Manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
Continuously explore emerging AI, automation, and design technologies to improve efficiency and creative output
Social media graphics for one of the 10 largest healthcare companies in the U.S.
Printed annual reports for Fortune 500 clients
UX/UI input and wireframes for internal websites
Animated data visualizations for clients
Infographic one-pagers for government agencies
Animated video series with voiceover for technology companies
Leverage AI-assisted design and generative visualization tools to bring efficiency and scale into production
Deliver visually compelling and accurate materials that clearly communicate insights
Transform complex data and analysis into accessible visuals for executives, boards, and policymakers
Manage multiple design projects while meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Contribute innovative visual storytelling approaches using emerging AI-enabled tools
Continuously improve workflows through experimentation with new design technologies
Brings strong design and data visualization fundamentals, including typography, layout, color theory, and visual hierarchy
Interest in experimenting with AI-assisted creative tools to support ideation, illustration, layout exploration, and design workflows, with a mindset toward creative, outside-the-box applications of AI in the design process
Balances creativity with precision, ensuring accuracy and clarity in data-driven design
Manages multiple projects simultaneously while communicating timelines clearly
Approaches feedback with openness and adaptability
Shows versatility across print, digital, and motion formats
Stays up-to-date with emerging technologies, tools, and trends shaping the design industry
Collaborating with senior-level executives internally and at client organizations
Designing compelling visual narratives from complex data and policy insights
Deepening expertise in AI-assisted design workflows and generative visualization tools
Understanding how visual storytelling influences strategic decision-making
Applying modern creative technologies and automation tools to improve design processes
Bachelor’s degree; 1–2 years of relevant experience preferred
Expertise in Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign and Illustrator required) and Microsoft Office including PowerPoint; Canva experience is a plus
Strong understanding of data visualization principles and best practices
Familiarity with AI-assisted design tools, generative platforms, and creative automation technologies
Ability to translate complex data into clear visual formats
Strong project management skills with the ability to meet deadlines
Excellent communication skills, including presenting the rationale behind design choices
Experience with animation and motion graphics (After Effects or equivalent software preferred)
High attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities
Entrepreneurial mindset with a willingness to experiment with new tools and creative approaches