Job Summary:

In accordance with the Purpose, Vision, Values and Coast Salish Teachings, and strategic directions of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

The Visual Product Designer – Indigenous Illustration reports to the Director, Knowledge Translation and is accountable to ideate, illustrate and design culturally resonant and grounded visual products to explain complex public health data and information to Indigenous audiences. The role provides expert advice, guidance and options on various approaches and visual products related to Indigenous health promotion, including public health images, animations, drawings, and infographics. The Visual Product Designer – Indigenous Illustration brings a passion for great visual communication to human-centred, accessible digital experiences in addition to a keen understanding of different Indigenous audiences in British Columbia.

The Visual Product Designer – Indigenous Illustration brings in their lived experience as an Indigenous person to uplift and amplify Indigenous perspectives to shape how data about Indigenous populations is shared and presented, prioritizing Indigenous control over this data to support self-determination, improve health outcomes, and help eradicate Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination for Indigenous Peoples in British Columbia. The role is responsible for the development of Indigenous-specific educational resources and managing aspects of various projects to ensure deliverables are met on time and with cultural sensitivity and respect for Indigenous ways of knowing and being. This role builds consensus for effective product designs and works collaboratively internally with Knowledge Translation (KT) Specialists, Knowledge Holders, Public Health Physicians, Scientists, Program Directors and Managers, and externally with other health authority staff, communications, or consultants, as well as Indigenous partners.

Duties/Accountabilities:

• Designs and illustrates visual assets that communicate complex public health, data visualization and/or scientific messages to Indigenous audiences for use in resources, presentations, reports and infographics, or on BCCDC websites or social media platforms. Develops illustrations/imagery and infographics for the BCCDC and Chee Mamuk’s social media posts, including Linkedin, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

• Works with internal clients to understand their needs while walking them through key visual design decisions and making recommendations on the best approach or options according to the message and audience. Provides insights and recommendations on key Indigenous audiences in BC – particularly young Indigenous audiences under 30, including trends and social determinants of health. Addresses the historical lack of targeted public health messaging for Indigenous communities by supporting initiatives to rectify this gap and advance the eradication of Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination.

• Provides expert advice and guidance to various levels of staff including leadership, KT Scientists and Leads, on how to communicate messages using visuals in a culturally resonant and sensitive manner that resonates with Indigenous audiences.

• Collaborates with BCCDC’s Indigenous Health Team, Chee Mamuk, and the Indigenous Knowledge Translation Working Group from the ideation stage to the final product to co-create and lead the development of visual narratives that represent lived experiences and cultural teachings while maintaining confidentiality, discretion, and a lens focused on Indigenous experience. Adheres to PHSA Communications guidelines as required.

• Creates a comprehensive design aesthetic implemented across multiple visual and communication outputs. Collaborates with the Visual Product Designer to ensure that all graphics meet visual standards and brand guidelines.

• Prepares rough drafts/prototypes and illustration ideas. Identifies and suggests visual and copy improvements where appropriate.

• Takes complex scientific and health data (including Indigenous stories, personal anecdotes, and community needs) as well as copy/text and creates compelling visual stories; translates complex data and text into visual products for internal and external use.

• Conducts research into Indigenous visual styles, including West Coast, Interior, Northern, Inuit, and/or Métis traditions. Works collaboratively with the appropriate Nations or Indigenous professionals to ensure the respectful, informed growth and use of these styles, integrating insights into illustrations for effective visual communication.

• Contributes to the creation of guidance documents that include visuals demonstrating knowledge translation techniques, best practices for engagement and facilitation, and capacity-building strategies with staff and internal partners.

Qualifications:

Pursuant to Section 42(3) of the British Columbia Human Rights Code, preference may be given to applicants with Lived Experience as an Indigenous person to Canada (First Nations, Métis, or Inuk/Inuit). We invite applicants to self-identify in their cover letter and/or resume.

Lived experience as an Indigenous person (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit) to Canada is essential to the success of this role.

A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree in graphic design, fine arts, visual communications, or a related area plus five to seven (5-7) years’ experience working as a visual designer, illustrator, or artist including extensive knowledge and experience in at least one of several Indigenous visual styles, including West Coast, Interior, Northern, Inuit, and/or Métis art traditions, with knowledge of other styles.

• Demonstrated understanding of Canadian colonial impacts on Indigenous people in social and health contexts.
• Lived experience with Indigenous populations and demonstrated extensive knowledge of Indigenous health needs, services, and issues as well as knowledge of culture, protocols, traditions, and ideology of Indigenous people and organizations in British Columbia is an asset.
• Knowledge and appreciation of the unique history, cultures, and rights of Indigenous Peoples in Canada is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge, understanding, and application of cultural safety and anti-racism practice within healthcare.
• Demonstrated community engagement skills including the ability to promote positive dialogue in a multi-partner environment. Proficiency in creating rough sketches, with a strong ability to depict a range of facial expressions across diverse Indigenous demographics.
• Proficiency in creating vector-based line-art illustrations, including foundational skills in perspective drawing using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop; familiarity with Procreate and Adobe Fresco is an asset. Background in animation is an asset.
• Ability to manage priorities across multiple projects.
• Ability to work in a self-guided manner as well as with input and direction.
• Strong ability to illustrate hands and people with accuracy and detail.
• Demonstrated versatility in adapting to various illustration styles to meet project-specific goals and audience needs.