Environmental Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Environmental Graphic Designer

Company: Pali Mountain

Location: Running Springs, CA, US

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Design (Environmental Graphic Design)

Date Posted: 2026-09-04

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and develop comprehensive visual systems, signage, and branded environments that define the physical guest experience across Pali Mountain's campuses.

• Manage the entire lifecycle of environmental graphics projects, from initial concept and spatial planning to production-ready file preparation and vendor coordination.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including creative directors, production coordinators, and fabrication specialists, to ensure seamless execution of designs from concept to physical installation.

• Apply a strong understanding of spatial design, scale, sightlines, materials, and installation considerations to create impactful and functional branded environments.

• Maintain brand consistency across all visual assets, ensuring a cohesive and compelling brand narrative throughout all physical touchpoints.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a newly forming creative department at Pali Mountain, offering a unique opportunity to influence and establish design standards and processes for physical environments. The emphasis on seeing work move "beyond the screen and become part of a real place" highlights a practical, hands-on approach to design execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and produce production-ready files for a wide range of environmental graphics, including signage, wayfinding systems, murals, event graphics, and themed installations.

• Conduct on-site walkthroughs to accurately assess physical spaces, take precise measurements, and identify design opportunities and constraints.

• Utilize SketchUp or similar 3D modeling software to map out spatial layouts, plan large-scale installations, and visualize designs within their intended environments.

• Oversee the end-to-end large-format printing process, encompassing file preparation, vendor communication, proofing, quality control, and coordination of production and delivery.

• Partner with the Creative Director to translate overarching creative visions into tangible, technically sound environmental design solutions that align with brand guidelines.

• Maintain rigorous brand consistency across all environmental graphics and activation materials for Pali Mountain's diverse portfolio of brands.

• Work collaboratively with the Creative Production Coordinator and Fabrication Specialist to manage project timelines, budgets, vendor relationships, and installation logistics.

• Review and approve material samples and proofs to ensure quality, durability, and aesthetic alignment with design intent.

• Contribute to the development and refinement of design standards, systems, and best practices for environmental graphics within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of creative design, technical production management, and spatial reasoning. The need to "use SketchUp or similar software to map out and plan large installs before they go into production" and conduct "on-site walkthroughs to take measurements and assess spaces before designing" indicates a strong practical and on-the-ground component to this role, moving beyond purely digital design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A college degree is not required. Emphasis is placed on portfolio quality, technical ability, design judgment, and relevant professional experience.

Experience: Minimum of 2+ years of hands-on experience in graphic design, environmental graphic design, signage design, or brand production.

Required Skills:

• Proven ability in graphic design with a strong aesthetic eye for typography, composition, color, and visual storytelling.

• Expertise in spatial thinking and understanding how designs translate to physical environments at various scales and from different perspectives.

• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign for creating and preparing design files.

• Experience with SketchUp or comparable 3D modeling software for spatial planning and installation visualization.

• Strong working knowledge of environmental and large-format design principles, including material properties, production methods, and installation techniques.

• Hands-on experience managing the large-format printing process, including file preparation, vendor coordination, proofing, and production oversight.

• Ability to take creative direction and develop it into polished, production-ready designs.

• Collaborative and communicative working style, comfortable partnering with diverse teams and stakeholders. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with wayfinding systems and developing comprehensive signage strategies.

• Familiarity with fabrication processes and material sourcing for environmental graphics.

• Understanding of project management principles and workflow optimization for creative projects.

• Experience working with multiple brands or in a multi-brand environment.

• Familiarity with event design and temporary installation principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit statement that "A college degree is not required" is a significant qualification. The focus on portfolio quality and practical experience suggests that candidates with strong demonstrable skills and a proven track record in environmental graphics will be highly competitive, regardless of formal education. The emphasis on "environmental graphics, signage, large-format design, wayfinding, branded spaces, experiential work, or similar applications" for portfolios is a key differentiator.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A strong, high-quality portfolio is mandatory, showcasing a breadth of work.

• Emphasis on environmental and large-format projects; digital or print collateral alone is insufficient.

• Portfolios demonstrating environmental graphics, signage, large-format design, wayfinding, branded spaces, or experiential work will be especially competitive.

• Include case studies that illustrate the design process from concept through to final installation, highlighting problem-solving and spatial considerations.

• Showcase projects where you managed file preparation, vendor coordination, and production for large-scale applications. Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate understanding of the full design-to-production workflow for environmental graphics.

• Provide examples of how you translate spatial assessments and measurements into design solutions.

• Illustrate experience with managing large-format print production, including file optimization and vendor communication.

• Show evidence of maintaining brand consistency through systematic design application across various environmental touchpoints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are highly specific and geared towards tangible, physical design outcomes. Candidates must clearly demonstrate their ability to bridge the gap between digital design tools and the realities of physical space, production, and installation. This goes beyond typical graphic design portfolios and requires evidence of project management in a production context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $27 - $32 per hour. This range is based on the provided hourly rate and assumes a standard 40-hour work week, translating to an estimated annual salary of approximately $56,160 - $66,560.

Benefits:

• Full-time employment status.

• Opportunity to contribute to the growth of a new creative department and establish design standards.

• Work on a wide variety of impactful projects at a significant scale.

• Exposure to diverse environments including camp, education, retreat, and event spaces.

• Potential for occasional evening/weekend work for special projects and installs, offering varied work experiences.

• Access to a creative and collaborative work environment.

Working Hours: Monday–Friday, standard business hours, with occasional evenings and weekends required for special projects and installations. A typical full-time work week is assumed to be 40 hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary is provided as an hourly range. The estimated annual salary is calculated based on a standard 40-hour work week. The benefits listed are derived from the general description of a full-time role and the company's culture and project scope, as specific benefits were not detailed in the input. The note about occasional evening/weekend work indicates a need for flexibility.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Hospitality & Recreation (specifically focused on outdoor, experiential, and educational camps/retreats). Pali Mountain operates multiple brands within this sector.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the mention of building a "new creative department" and having "five Pali brands" suggests a medium to large-sized organization with established operations and a strategic focus on expanding its creative capabilities.

Founded: The founding date is not provided, but the company's focus on building new departments implies a stage of growth and evolution.

Team Structure:

• This role is part of a growing, multidisciplinary creative department.

• The Environmental Graphic Designer reports directly to the Creative Director, Brand & Experience.

• Key collaborators include the Creative Production Coordinator and the Fabrication Specialist, forming a core team focused on bringing creative concepts to life physically.

• The team operates collaboratively, with each member contributing specialized expertise throughout the project lifecycle. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While not explicitly stated, the role's focus on spatial assessment, measurements, and production realities implies a data-informed approach to design.

• Concept to Execution: The department is structured to take ideas from initial vision through physical realization, emphasizing a holistic process.

• Collaborative Development: Projects are worked on collaboratively, integrating expertise from design, production, and fabrication.

• Brand Consistency: A core methodology involves maintaining a unified brand presence across all physical touchpoints.

Company Website: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=46edfb77-f51d-44a5-85b4-980035b85bb2 (Note: This URL appears to be an ADP recruitment portal link, not a direct company website). A more direct company website is likely palimountain.com.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is characterized by a proactive approach to building a creative department and a strong emphasis on the physical manifestation of brand experiences. The structure of the creative team highlights a specialized, hands-on approach to environmental design, moving beyond traditional agency models.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is an intermediate-level Environmental Graphic Designer position, suitable for individuals with 2-5 years of relevant experience. It offers a significant opportunity for impact within a developing creative department.

Reporting Structure: The Environmental Graphic Designer reports to the Creative Director, Brand & Experience. This provides direct mentorship and exposure to high-level creative strategy and brand vision.

Operations Impact: The Environmental Graphic Designer's work directly influences the guest experience and brand perception across all Pali Mountain properties. By shaping physical environments, they contribute to brand identity, wayfinding clarity, and the overall atmosphere and functionality of the campuses, impacting guest satisfaction and operational flow.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in environmental graphic design, large-format production, spatial planning, and fabrication coordination.

• Process Development: Contribute to establishing and refining the design and production processes for the new creative department, gaining experience in operationalizing creative workflows.

• Project Leadership: Take on increasing responsibility for managing complex environmental graphics projects from concept to completion.

• Cross-functional Expertise: Develop strong collaborative relationships and understanding of production, fabrication, and operational aspects of the business.

• Brand Influence: Help shape the visual language and physical identity of multiple brands within the Pali Mountain portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Why Pali" section strongly suggests significant growth potential. The opportunity to "help establish the design standards, systems, processes, materials, and visual language" indicates a role where early hires can have a foundational impact and grow with the department and company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site position at Pali Mountain's campus in Running Springs, California. This includes studio-based design work combined with active fieldwork.

Office Location(s): Running Springs, CA, US (92382). The role involves regular site visits across the company's mountain campus properties.

Workspace Context:

• A blend of studio-based design work and on-site assessments, measurements, and installation coordination.

• Projects span diverse indoor and outdoor environments, including active camp, education, retreat, event, and operational spaces.

• Access to necessary design software (Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp) and potential for collaboration with fabrication specialists.

• The environment is dynamic, requiring adaptability to different project types and physical locations.

Work Schedule: Primarily Monday–Friday, with the expectation of occasional evening or weekend work to accommodate major installations, events, or project launches. This schedule requires flexibility for field-based activities and critical project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is distinctly hands-on and integrated with the physical spaces the designer will be shaping. The mention of "active camp, education, retreat, event, and operational spaces" suggests a vibrant, potentially rustic, and operational setting rather than a typical corporate office.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and alignment with the role's requirements, particularly for environmental graphics and large-format work.

• Creative Assessment: Potential for a design challenge or portfolio review session with the Creative Director and potentially other team members to evaluate design judgment, technical proficiency, and spatial thinking.

• Collaboration & Fit: Interviews to assess working style, communication skills, comfort with collaboration, and ability to integrate into the developing creative department. This may involve discussions about how you'd approach specific environmental design scenarios.

• Production & Technical Discussion: Evaluation of understanding regarding large-format printing processes, file preparation, vendor coordination, and installation considerations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Impact: Select your strongest environmental graphics, signage, and large-format projects. Prioritize work that demonstrates your ability to design for physical spaces.

• Showcase Process: Include case studies that detail your design process, from initial site assessment and concept development to production file preparation and installation outcomes.

• Highlight Technical Skills: Clearly demonstrate your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and SketchUp, showcasing how you used these tools for spatial planning and production.

• Quantify Results (where possible): If applicable, mention how your designs improved wayfinding, enhanced brand experience, or solved specific spatial challenges.

• Tailor to Pali Mountain: If possible, include or reference projects that show an understanding of outdoor, hospitality, or educational environments.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your approach to designing for specific environmental contexts (e.g., a camp entrance, a retreat dining hall, event signage).

• Practice articulating your design rationale, focusing on spatial considerations, material choices, and production feasibility.

• Be ready to walk through a selected project from your portfolio, explaining your role, challenges, and solutions.

• Consider how you would maintain brand consistency across diverse physical applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize the portfolio for relevance to environmental graphics and large-format applications. Candidates should prepare to discuss their practical experience with production and installation, as well as their ability to collaborate within a nascent creative team.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Illustrator: Essential for vector-based design, logo creation, signage graphics, and preparing production files.

• Adobe Photoshop: Used for image manipulation, texture creation, mockups, and digital renderings of environmental graphics.

• Adobe InDesign: Useful for layout of design briefs, style guides, and potentially for creating multi-page signage systems or documentation.

• SketchUp: Critical for 3D modeling, spatial planning, visualizing designs in situ, and planning large-scale installations and site layouts.

Analytics & Reporting: Not directly applicable to this design role, but understanding how environmental graphics impact guest flow or brand perception could be indirectly related to operational data.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to this design role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily focused on design and spatial visualization software. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and SketchUp is explicitly required and will be a key evaluation point. The role requires practical application of these tools in a physical design context.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Craft: A strong emphasis on aesthetic quality, visual storytelling, and thoughtful design execution.

• Practicality & Production-Mindedness: A deep understanding of how designs translate into tangible, buildable, and installable realities.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively with diverse teams to achieve shared goals, fostering a supportive and integrated environment.

• Impact & Experience: A focus on creating meaningful and memorable experiences for guests through the physical environment.

• Growth & Development: Contributing to the establishment of new processes and standards within a growing department.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Close collaboration with Creative Directors, Production Coordinators, and Fabricators to ensure design intent is met throughout the production and installation phases.

• Feedback-Driven: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback to refine designs and processes.

• Problem-Solving Focus: Working together to overcome technical, logistical, and creative challenges inherent in large-scale environmental design.

• Brand Alignment: Ensuring all collaborative efforts contribute to a unified and consistent brand presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture values designers who are not only creative but also technically adept and collaborative. The emphasis on "seeing their work move beyond the screen and become part of a real place" suggests a culture that appreciates tangible results and hands-on execution.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Bridging Digital and Physical: Translating 2D digital designs into 3D physical spaces that function effectively and meet aesthetic goals.

• Managing Production Complexity: Navigating the intricacies of large-format printing, material selection, and installation logistics across diverse environments.

• Balancing Creative Vision with Technical Constraints: Ensuring designs are both innovative and feasible within budget, material, and installation limitations.

• Establishing New Processes: Contributing to the foundational development of design standards and workflows for a new creative department.

• Working in Dynamic Environments: Adapting designs and installations to the unique conditions and ongoing operations of an active campus.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Environmental Design: Gaining experience in complex wayfinding systems, themed environments, and large-scale branded installations.

• Production & Fabrication Insights: Deepening knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, and installation techniques through close work with specialists.

• Brand System Development: Contributing to the evolution of brand visual languages for multiple distinct brands.

• Process Optimization: Participating in the creation and refinement of operational workflows for a creative department.

• Mentorship: Learning directly from a Creative Director and collaborating with experienced production and fabrication professionals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherently tied to the nature of environmental graphic design – the intersection of creativity, technology, and physical reality. The growth opportunities are significant due to the role's position within a developing department and the company's emphasis on physical brand experiences.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a project where you had to adapt your design based on site-specific constraints or measurement discrepancies. How did you approach the problem and what was the outcome?" (Focus on spatial problem-solving, adaptability, and production reality).

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across different types of environmental graphics, such as wayfinding signage, murals, and event activations?" (Focus on brand stewardship, systematic thinking, and application of guidelines).

• "Walk us through your process for preparing files for large-format printing. What are the critical steps and potential pitfalls you look out for?" (Focus on technical production knowledge, attention to detail, and vendor coordination). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about designing for physical environments and outdoor/experiential spaces like those at Pali Mountain?" (Assess passion for the specific application of EGD).

• "How do you envision contributing to the development of a new creative department and establishing its design standards?" (Assess initiative, process thinking, and collaborative spirit).

• "Describe your experience working with production teams or fabricators. How do you ensure effective communication and successful project execution?" (Assess collaboration and project management skills). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the challenges, your design process (including spatial considerations and tool usage), production details, and the final outcome.

• Highlight EGD Specifics: Emphasize projects that demonstrate your ability to design for scale, context, and user experience in physical spaces.

• Showcase Production Files: Be prepared to show examples of production-ready files and discuss your file preparation techniques.

• Demonstrate SketchUp Usage: If applicable, show 3D models or renderings that illustrate your spatial planning and visualization capabilities.

• Be Ready for On-Site Scenarios: Discuss how you would approach designing graphics for specific areas of a camp or retreat.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily focus on demonstrating practical skills, spatial thinking, production knowledge, and the ability to collaborate within a growing team. Portfolio examples are critical and should directly address the requirements of environmental and large-format design.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Environmental Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided ADP recruitment portal link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features environmental graphics, signage, and large-format work. If you have experience in outdoor, hospitality, or educational settings, highlight these projects. Tailor your case studies to show your process from site assessment to final installation.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate your 2+ years of experience in graphic design with a specific focus on environmental or large-format applications. Use keywords from the job description such as "environmental graphic design," "signage," "wayfinding," "large-format printing," "SketchUp," and "spatial design." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice discussing your portfolio projects, focusing on your spatial design process, technical production knowledge (especially large-format printing and file prep), and collaborative approach. Prepare to discuss how you would tackle design challenges specific to an outdoor campus environment.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Pali Mountain and its various brands. Understand their mission and the types of experiences they offer. Consider how environmental graphics can enhance these experiences and reflect the company's values.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.