Senior Experiential Graphic Designer

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 96,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement support

Paid holidays

Family leave

Paid time off

Licensing/Exams reimbursement

Mentorship programs

Job summary

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) in Chicago seeks a senior environmental graphic designer to lead project design and documentation with a strong sustainable focus. You will drive concept development, coordinate deliverables, and mentor staff within an interdisciplinary studio.

Applicants should have 6+ years in environmental graphic design, proficiency in Adobe Suite, and familiarity with Revit/AutoCAD/Rhino. Portfolios are required for all design roles.

Qualifications

• Completion of a professional degree in Graphic Design, Architecture, Interiors or a related field.
• Minimum 6 years of environmental graphic design experience with supporting portfolio.
• Strong understanding of sustainable strategies and principles including familiarity with LEED or other green building rating systems.
• Strong interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Adobe Suite and Google Workspace.
• Familiarity with Revit, AutoCAD, Rhino, parametric and rendering software.
• LEED or other green building accreditation preferred.

Responsibilities

• Actively leads Projects with periodic supervision by Project Leadership.
• Exhibits initiative, process innovation, problem solving, and decision quality with a high attention to precision and accuracy at a project level.
• Produces, coordinates and/or oversees presentation and contract deliverables such as diagrams, 3D models, drawings, renderings, physical models and animations.
• Effectively communicates internally with project teams and externally with consultants and clients through timely and appropriate written, oral, and visual means.
• Creates and innovates with a strong conceptual design ability and integrates interdisciplinary criteria to effectively move forward the design of projects.
• Actively collaborates at a project, consultant team, and client team level by critically and constructively evaluating ideas.
• Contributes to and actively participates within the studio and office.
• Demonstrates an advanced understanding of materials, specifications, codes, details and construction techniques.
• Is able to enrich design concepts through technical strategies and effectively uses appropriate tools to design and document at all project phases.
• Manages time and workload of own work efforts and those of others to meet project task deadlines and commitments, with occasional interaction and direction from team leaders while guiding and teaching less experienced staff.
• Proactively checks and coordinates project documents (including but not limited to drawing set organization, details, dimensions, interdisciplinary coordination items, specifications coordination for compliance with the project’s technical requirements).
• Inspires and leads others by example, participates in staff mentoring and training, clearly defines team member expectations and responsibilities, empowers others, and delegates where appropriate based on team members’ recognized abilities and potential.

Skills

Environmental graphic design

Communication skills

Adobe Suite

Google Workspace

Revit

AutoCAD

Rhino

Parametric software

Rendering software

Education

Professional degree (Graphic Design/Architecture/Interiors)

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Rhino

Parametric software

Rendering software

Job description

At SOM, we are a collective committed to shaping a better future for our clients, communities and planet. We aspire to create the most sustainable, impactful work through creative, interdisciplinary teams with all the resources and diversity of a global firm. We value those who are passionate about excellence, innovation, integrity, inclusivity, and collaboration. Together we can achieve great things.

Success at SOM Means Ideas: We believe in a meritocracy of ideas. We look to everyone to actively contribute to the discourse in the firm.

Knowledge: We believe that expertise is the result of lifelong learning. We are not expected to know everything, but rather to passionately pursue answers, develop new skills and deepen our knowledge.

Product: We strive for excellence in the concept, quality, and delivery of our work.

Individual: We value individuals who bring the highest standards of professionalism and personal integrity in the way they work. Each person can develop and contribute their wealth of attributes, skills and knowledge to support the overall health of the firm.

Team: We value the power of interdisciplinary integration. A positive team culture in which everyone collaborates openly towards common goals is essential.

Firm: We have a history of making transformative contributions to the profession and our communities. We are constantly innovating and attempting to bring new approaches, solutions and processes to our work.

Position Responsibilities

• Actively leads Projects with periodic supervision by Project Leadership.
• Exhibits initiative, process innovation, problem solving, and decision quality with a high attention to precision and accuracy at a project level.
• Produces, coordinates and/or oversees presentation and contract deliverables such as diagrams, 3D models, drawings, renderings, physical models and animations.
• Effectively communicates internally with project teams and externally with consultants and clients through timely and appropriate written, oral, and visual means.
• Creates and innovates with a strong conceptual design ability and integrates interdisciplinary criteria to effectively move forward the design of projects.
• Actively collaborates at a project, consultant team, and client team level by critically and constructively evaluating ideas.
• Contributes to and actively participates within the studio and office.
• Demonstrates an advanced understanding of materials, specifications, codes, details and construction techniques.
• Is able to enrich design concepts through technical strategies and effectively uses appropriate tools to design and document at all project phases.
• Manages time and workload of own work efforts and those of others to meet project task deadlines and commitments, with occasional interaction and direction from team leaders while guiding and teaching less experienced staff.
• Proactively checks and coordinates project documents (including but not limited to drawing set organization, details, dimensions, interdisciplinary coordination items, specifications coordination for compliance with the project’s technical requirements.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Inspires and leads others by example, participates in staff mentoring and training, clearly defines team member expectations and responsibilities, empowers others, and delegates where appropriate based on team members’ recognized abilities and potential.
• Directly supervises staff and is committed to direct reports’ professional development.
• Develops and engages in talent strategy to find specialists, leaders, and future professionals for the firm through resume review and interviews.
• In collaboration with team members, develops a clear and consistent work plan to achieve the project budget, deliverables, and schedule.
• Actively engages in internal and external professional development opportunities.
• Contributes to the implementation of sustainable strategies in all project assignments and the associated development of staff knowledge.
• Contributes to the development of standards, policies, and procedures.
• Protects SOM from financial and legal risk.

Minimum Qualifications

• Completion of a professional degree in Graphic Design, Architecture, Interiors or a related field.
• Minimum 6 years of environmental graphic design experience with supporting portfolio.
• Strong understanding of sustainable strategies and principles including familiarity with LEED or other green building rating systems.
• Strong interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrates proficiency in Adobe Suite, and Google Workspace.
• Familiarity with Revit, AutoCAD, Rhino, parametric and rendering software.
• LEED or other green building accreditation preferred.

Compensation for this role is based upon experience, qualifications, location, and education and typically ranges from $80,000 to $96,000 Portfolios must be submitted for all design and project management positions (Architecture, Interiors, City Design, Graphics, etc). Applications without work samples will not be reviewed. Portfolios should be one PDF attachment, 10-20 pages, maximum 5 MB. Submit portfolios as part of your application in the section where the application asks you for your Resume or CV.

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) is a global practice of architects, engineers, and planners renowned for designing buildings, interiors, and public spaces that push the boundaries of technical and environmental innovation. Our interdisciplinary teams collaborate across an international network of studios to deliver projects of lasting impact. Through our built work, research, and advocacy, we are advancing strategies to decarbonize the built environment. Learn more about our commitment to climate action.

Working at SOM

Our practice was built to champion inclusivity of expertise, people, and ideas. Together, we cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset that equips our teams to face new challenges. Our studio culture offers opportunities for mentorship, growth, and leadership across project teams, offices, and employee resource groups.

SOM is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, and we have been recognized with the highest ranking awarded on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index.

We publish an annual Impact Report as part of our ongoing commitment to advancing equity in our practice and the profession.

Our Benefits

• We offer medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and accident insurance.
• We also offer retirement support, free access to employee assistance programs for employees and family members, workplace flexibility, paid holidays, family leave, and paid time off.
• We reimburse costs for professional licenses, certifications, and exams, and offer specialized, in-house career development and mentorship programs designed to help you advance your knowledge and expertise.

Notice to Applicants

Portfolios must be submitted for all design positions (Architecture, Interiors, Planning, etc). Applications without work samples will not be reviewed. Portfolios should be one PDF attachment, 10-20 pages, maximum 5 MB. Submit portfolios as part of your application in the section where the application asks you for your Resume or CV. Learn more about SOM's employment policy and how to apply offline here.