The Associated Press seeks a journalist and designer who is passionate about visual storytelling and eager to put lessons from experimentation into practice. We’re looking for a designer to join a team that’s creating smart, insightful and entertaining visualizations of data about U.S. elections — someone with advanced creative and design skills, a collaborative spirit and a deep interest in elections. This is a nine-month temporary position based in Washington, D.C., although exceptional candidates in other locations will be considered. It is covered by AP’s agreement with the News Media Guild.
Responsibilities: Reporting to the elections interactives and graphics news editor, you will be part of a team that builds engaging data visualizations and explanatory graphics centered on elections. Our team builds live results graphics and data visualizations that go beyond those results to explain what’s behind the numbers and show the how and the why of winning and losing. You will be a part of AP’s Election Services team and will work closely with the AP’s top-notch team of race callers, election analysts and explanatory reporters.
We’re looking for someone who can communicate interactive story ideas through wireframes and prototypes with interactive developers, data analysts, reporters and editors. In this role, you will make data-driven stories approachable and accessible. You should be at home with standard design tools: Figma and Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Excel, etc.). Visual expression is essential, but we’re more interested in how you gather and iterate on user feedback. You should also be comfortable working within design systems and thinking in terms of reusable components to ensure consistency across projects and minimize development time.
Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, such as at least one year of full-time work as a visual journalist or data visualization designer. Experience working in the newsroom is a plus but not a requirement. All applicants must be able to work in the U.S. or gain permission to do so. The ability and willingness to work at night and on weekends, as AP is a 24/7 operation and polls almost always close after the end of the business day. Advanced-level professional competency in written and spoken English. Professional competency in a language besides English is a plus.
Preferred Qualifications: We’re looking for a highly motivated, independent and detail-oriented designer committed to using their critical thinking to advance the AP staff's robust and fact-based reporting. You embrace UX fundamentals and have a keen eye for layout, typography and storytelling techniques. You’re a creative person with empathy for readers and a curiosity to learn more about them.
You want to be part of a team. You collaborate and communicate, and you mentor people of varying expertise. You understand that there’s always more to know, and you expect to learn from your teammates in addition to sharing what you know. You’re looking for a collegial environment that involves consistent communication, design reviews, pairing up and sharing ideas with people from diverse backgrounds, areas of expertise and experience.
We will consider strong candidates who do not meet every listed qualification. You may use a cover letter to describe the unique qualifications you would bring to this role.
This position is covered by The Associated Press’ contract with the News Media Guild, which provides for an annual salary for Class A staff of between $53,477 and $85,214 based on location and years of professional experience. Additional compensation is negotiable based on a job candidate’s skills, qualifications and market location. Employees are eligible to participate, according to the terms of the official plan documents, in a 401(k) plan and employer-sponsored health insurance plan, and are eligible for paid time off and holidays in accordance with AP policy.
The Associated Press offers comprehensive benefits which include: Competitive medical, dental and vision coverage Retirement benefits Company paid life insurance Paid vacation and sick days Paid parental leave for any new parent
Application deadline is August 12, 2025, at 11:59p.m. EST.
AP seeks to build an inclusive organization grounded in respect for differences. We support all aspects of diversity and provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a veteran, or other characteristic protected by law .
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