Branded Environments - Experienced Graphic Designer

Perkins&Will; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 88,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

Perkins&Will in Chicago seeks a Branded Environments Designer to lead the creative development of branded environments, integrating environmental graphics, signage, and storytelling with architecture and interior design. In this role, you'll guide projects from concept to implementation and mentor fellow designers.

We are seeking someone with advanced knowledge in branded environments, strong leadership, and a collaborative mindset to deliver integrated design solutions in a hybrid Chicago

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of branded environments and environmental graphic design.
• Ability to lead creative design development and guide projects through documentation.
• Working knowledge of architectural/interior design processes including codes and coordination.
• Experience with environmental graphic production and vendor coordination.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead creative design solutions for branded environments integrating brand strategy and storytelling.
• Guide projects through research, concept development, programming, and design documentation to implementation.
• Develop design concepts with visuals, materials, and storytelling reflecting client goals.
• Collaborate across disciplines to integrate branded environments with the built environment.
• Lead client presentations, communicate design intent, and support marketing and business development.
• Mentor team members and participate in design reviews.
• Oversee technical design development, production artwork, vendor coordination, and construction documentation.
• Coordinate with contractors and project partners to ensure quality, constructability, and alignment with schedules.
• Support site analysis and project execution including field measurements and codes compliance.

Skills

Branded environments

Environmental graphic design

Brand strategy

Visual storytelling

Leadership

Client relations

Mentoring

Communication

Team collaboration

Tools

Revit

Adobe Creative Suite

InDesign

Photoshop

Rhino

Grasshopper

Enscape

V-Ray

3D printing

Laser cutting

Job description

About The Role At Perkins&Will, we believe that design has the power to connect people, communicate ideas, and create meaningful experiences. We're looking for a Branded Environments Designer to join our Chicago studio and help bring brands and stories to life through thoughtful, engaging design within the built environment.

Branded Environments Designer

Location: Chicago, IL

Work Arrangement: Hybrid

About The Role At Perkins&Will, we believe that design has the power to connect people, communicate ideas, and create meaningful experiences. We're looking for a Branded Environments Designer to join our Chicago studio and help bring brands and stories to life through thoughtful, engaging design within the built environment. In this role, you'll lead the creative development and execution of branded environments, integrating environmental graphics, signage, wayfinding, brand identity, and storytelling with architecture and interior design. You'll collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, guide projects from initial concept through implementation, build strong client relationships, and mentor fellow designers. We're looking for someone who combines creative vision, technical expertise, and collaborative leadership to deliver compelling, integrated design solutions.

What You'll Do

• Lead creative design solutions for branded environments, integrating brand strategy, storytelling, environmental graphics, signage, wayfinding, and architectural elements into cohesive experiences.
• Guide projects through all phases of design, from research, conceptual development, and programming through design documentation, technical coordination, and implementation.
• Develop and communicate design concepts using compelling visual presentations, graphics, material selections, and storytelling strategies that reflect client goals and project objectives.
• Collaborate across disciplines with architects, interior designers, consultants, and project teams to seamlessly integrate branded environments into the built environment.
• Lead client presentations and engagement, communicating design intent, facilitating feedback, nurturing relationships, and contributing to marketing and business development efforts.
• Mentor and inspire team members, providing creative direction, participating in design reviews, and fostering collaboration, innovation, and design excellence.
• Oversee technical design development and production, including specifications, detailing, production artwork, vendor coordination, and construction documentation.
• Coordinate with contractors, vendors, consultants, and project partners to support design quality, technical accuracy, constructability, and alignment with project schedules and budgets.
• Support site analysis and project execution, including existing-condition assessments, field measurements, material research, and consideration of applicable codes, accessibility, and project delivery standards.

What You'll Bring

Required Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of branded environments, environmental graphic design, brand strategy, visual storytelling, signage, and wayfinding, with the ability to integrate these elements into architectural and interior environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead creative design development, communicate design concepts, prepare presentations, and guide projects through documentation and implementation.
• Working knowledge of architectural and interior design processes, including site analysis, building codes, life safety considerations, specifications, construction documentation, and coordination.
• Experience with environmental graphic production, including materials research, detailing, specifications, production artwork, and coordination with vendors and fabricators.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and leadership skills, with the ability to guide multidisciplinary teams, engage clients, and mentor fellow designers.
• Functional knowledge of 2D and 3D design production software, intermediate Revit skills, and proficiency with relevant design, presentation, and visualization tools, including Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office.

Preferred Qualifications

• Approximately 8-10+ years of relevant professional design experience, or a comparable combination of experience and demonstrated capabilities in branded environments, environmental graphic design, interior architecture, or related disciplines.
• Experience with tools and workflows such as Rhino, Grasshopper, Enscape, V-Ray, InDesign, Photoshop, 3D printing, laser cutting, and specialized environmental graphic design production tools. Familiarity with vector-based CAD workflows, digital visualization, and physical prototyping is also valued.

Professional Licensure Is Not Required For This Position.

Why Perkins&Will?

At Perkins&Will, design is about more than the spaces we create- it's about the people and communities those spaces serve. We bring together diverse perspectives, creative thinking, and interdisciplinary expertise to explore what's possible through design. As part of our Chicago studio, you'll collaborate with talented professionals who value curiosity, design excellence, and the power of ideas to create meaningful experiences.

Salary Range Information

We foster a culture that is diverse and inclusive and strive for pay practices that are fair, and competitive and reflect our commitment to pay equity. Our compensation decisions include but are not limited to a candidate’s qualifications including skill sets, education, experience and training, licensure and certifications credentials if applicable, and business-related factors. This practice extends to all employees, including performance considerations for merit increases, job promotions, and transfer opportunities. We additionally review our pay practices, conduct pay equity audits, and ensure our managers are trained in our pay practices on an annual basis. At the time of posting this job advertisement, commensurate with qualifications, the annual pay salary range for this position in Chicago, IL is between $88,000 and $104,000.

Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

At Perkins&Will we believe that inclusion spurs creativity and that innovation is born from an engaged culture of diverse people + ideas. By moving beyond barriers and stereotypes of gender, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, medical condition, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status; we are committed to building an organization that reflects the diversity of the communities and clients we serve.

Design has the power to inspire joy, uplift lives, and strengthen the spirit of community.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Perkins&Will has established and adopted an Equal Employment Opportunity Employment policy ("EEO"), which is part of the Company’s Human Resources Policy. The purpose of this EEO policy is to ensure that all employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis, and without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, gender reassignment, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state, or local law. In some cases, local laws and regulations may provide greater protections than those outlined here and employees will be covered by the laws of their local jurisdiction.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

Perkins&Will will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.