Experiential Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Experiential Graphic Designer

Company: Stantec

Location: Houston, Texas, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Design & Architecture Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-06T20:59:37

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in translating client brand stories into tangible experiences within the built environment, requiring a strong understanding of graphic design principles and their application in architectural contexts.

• The Experiential Graphic Designer will collaborate closely with multi-disciplinary teams, including branding, interior architecture, and architecture, to conceptualize and document comprehensive graphic solutions.

• Key responsibilities involve the design of integrated signage and wayfinding systems, thematic graphics, and immersive experiences across a diverse range of project types.

• The position demands proficiency in developing detailed design concepts, programming documents, and fabrication-ready drawings that ensure seamless integration into architectural and landscape settings.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Experiential Graphic Designer," the responsibilities heavily lean into the operational aspects of design implementation within larger architectural and branding projects. This role requires a blend of creative design talent and project execution coordination, akin to a specialized project manager within the design operations sphere. The emphasis on documentation, fabrication, and client brand integration points towards a need for strong process adherence and cross-functional communication, core tenets of operations roles.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary design teams (branding & graphics, interior architecture, architecture) to develop strategic graphic solutions for the built environment.

• Conceptualize and design integrated signage and wayfinding systems, thematic graphics, and experiential elements for diverse project types including academic, hospitality, residential, commercial, cultural, sports, retail, and aviation.

• Develop comprehensive Signage and Wayfinding Programming Documents, including Location Plans and Message Schedules, to define the scope and hierarchy of graphic elements.

• Expand upon initial signage and graphics design concepts, translating them into detailed drawings and specifications suitable for fabrication and installation.

• Ensure that graphic designs align with and effectively extend client brand stories, architectural aesthetics, and the overall user experience of the built environment.

• Coordinate with external fabricators and installers to ensure the accurate implementation of design intent and quality standards.

• Contribute to the development and refinement of Stantec’s BGX (Branding, Graphics & Experience Design) standards and best practices.

• Manage design deliverables, ensuring timely production and adherence to project schedules and budgets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for project management within a design context. The development of programming documents, message schedules, and detailed fabrication drawings are operational tasks that require meticulous attention to detail and process. This goes beyond pure creative design into the realm of design operations and execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Graphic Design, Communication Design, Environmental Design, or a related field.

• Architectural or Interior Design backgrounds will also be considered, provided candidates demonstrate strong graphic design capabilities. Experience:

• Minimum of 4 years of professional experience specifically in signage, wayfinding, and experiential graphic design.

• Proven experience working within multi-disciplinary design teams and collaborating on complex architectural projects. Required Skills:

• Expertise in developing comprehensive signage and wayfinding programs, including message scheduling and location planning.

• Strong conceptualization and design skills, with a portfolio showcasing innovative and effective graphic solutions for the built environment.

• Proficiency in industry-standard design software, including the Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop).

• Ability to produce detailed technical drawings and specifications for fabrication and installation.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts to clients and internal teams.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, demonstrating attention to detail and adherence to deadlines.

• Experience in collaborating with architects, interior designers, and branding specialists. Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with CADD tools such as Revit for architectural integration.

• Experience with specialized wayfinding software like WayfindIt or similar.

• Knowledge of fabrication methods and materials relevant to signage and environmental graphics.

• Understanding of brand strategy and its application in physical spaces.

• Experience with academic, hospitality, commercial, or entertainment project types.

📝 Enhancement Note: The preference for CADD tools like Revit and specialized software like WayfindIt indicates a need for operational efficiency and integration with architectural workflows, common in design operations roles. The mention of "fabrication" and "installation" also points to an operational focus on execution and quality control.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A compelling portfolio demonstrating a minimum of 4 years of professional experience in experiential graphic design, signage, and wayfinding.

• Showcase a range of projects that highlight conceptual thinking, design execution, and the successful integration of graphics into architectural and environmental contexts.

• Include examples of detailed documentation, such as programming documents (location plans, message schedules), and fabrication-ready drawings.

• Demonstrate the ability to translate brand strategy into impactful visual experiences within the built environment.

• Highlight projects where collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams was crucial for success. Process Documentation:

• Examples of developed signage and wayfinding programming documents, illustrating a systematic approach to planning and execution.

• Documentation of the design development process, from initial concept to detailed specifications for fabrication.

• Case studies or project examples that detail the workflow from client brief to final installation, emphasizing problem-solving and strategic implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio that includes "detailed documentation," "fabrication-ready drawings," and "process documentation" aligns directly with operations requirements. Candidates are expected to demonstrate not just creative output but also the operational rigor behind it.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on Stantec's typical compensation structure for mid-level design professionals in major metropolitan areas like Houston, TX, the estimated annual salary range for this role is approximately $75,000 - $95,000.

• This estimate accounts for the required experience level (4+ years), the specialized nature of experiential graphic design, and the cost of living in Houston. Actual compensation will be finalized based on individual qualifications, experience, and specific work location. Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Wellness program and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) / Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).

• 401(k) plan with company match and Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP).

• Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), Short-Term, and Long-Term Disability insurance coverage.

• Emergency travel benefits.

• Tuition reimbursement and professional membership fee coverage.

• Paid family leave.

• 10 paid holidays annually.

• Accrual of 10-20 days of vacation per year.

• Paid sick leave, in accordance with state and local laws. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time position, typically 40 hours per week.

• A hybrid work arrangement is expected, requiring a balance of in-office and remote work, allowing for flexibility while ensuring team collaboration and project engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is estimated based on typical industry benchmarks for a mid-level Experiential Graphic Designer in a major US city, factoring in the provided benefits and the hybrid work model. Regional salary data for Houston, TX, and Stantec's known compensation practices for similar roles were considered.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Engineering, Architecture, and Consulting Services. Stantec operates globally, focusing on sustainable design and community development across various sectors.

Company Size: Stantec is a large, publicly traded company with thousands of employees worldwide, indicating a robust organizational structure and a wide array of resources and opportunities. This size suggests established operational processes and a global reach.

Founded: Stantec was founded in 1954, bringing decades of experience and stability to its operations and project delivery.

Team Structure:

• The role is part of the Houston Branding, Graphics & Experience Design Team, which is a specialized unit within Stantec's broader Buildings practice.

• This team likely operates with a matrixed reporting structure, collaborating with project managers, architectural leads, and interior design teams on a per-project basis.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, involving close partnerships with architects, interior designers, branding specialists, and potentially marketing and client relations teams. Methodology:

• Stantec emphasizes an integrated, sustainable approach to design, suggesting a methodology that prioritizes holistic solutions and long-term impact.

• Data analysis likely plays a role in informing design decisions, particularly for wayfinding and user experience optimization.

• Workflow planning and optimization are critical for managing complex, multi-disciplinary projects efficiently.

• Automation and efficiency practices are likely employed to streamline design processes and improve project delivery timelines.

Company Website: https://www.stantec.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Stantec's established global presence and long history suggest a company with mature operational frameworks. The "Buildings team" and "BGX Team" indicate specialized operational units focused on specific project delivery aspects, requiring strong internal processes for coordination and execution.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is considered a Mid-Level role, suitable for professionals with 2-5 years of experience. It signifies an individual contributor role with increasing responsibility for project deliverables and client interaction, focusing on the execution and refinement of design operations within larger projects.

Reporting Structure: The Experiential Graphic Designer will report to a Design Lead or Manager within the Houston BGX Team. They will work on various projects, reporting to project-specific leads or managers as assigned.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts project success by ensuring that brand identity and user experience are effectively communicated and integrated into the physical environment. This operational function is critical for client satisfaction, brand consistency, and the overall functionality and aesthetic appeal of Stantec's architectural projects.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Develop deeper expertise in specific areas of experiential design, such as advanced wayfinding strategies, interactive installations, or sustainable material applications in graphics.

• Project Leadership: Progress to leading design efforts on smaller projects or specific graphic components of larger initiatives, taking on more client-facing responsibilities.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to mentor junior designers and contribute to the development of Stantec’s internal design processes and best practices.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Gain broader experience by working on diverse project types and collaborating with different Stantec disciplines, potentially leading to roles with a wider operational scope.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path from this role likely involves moving into senior design positions, project management within design operations, or specialized team leadership, emphasizing operational efficiency and strategic design implementation.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. This role is based in Stantec's Houston office but allows for a blend of remote and in-office work. The office environment is designed to foster collaboration and innovation.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is 1100 Louisiana Street Suite One, Houston, TX 77002. This central Houston location offers accessibility and proximity to various urban amenities.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative, with opportunities to engage with other designers, architects, and project teams.

• Access to necessary design software, hardware, and potentially fabrication or prototyping resources within the office.

• The hybrid model allows for focused work time at home and collaborative sessions, brainstorming, and client meetings in the office.

• The work environment will support the operational needs of design projects, including team meetings, design reviews, and client presentations. Work Schedule:

• Standard 40-hour work week, with flexibility often available within the hybrid model to balance personal needs with project demands.

• The nature of design projects may require occasional adjustments to the schedule to meet critical deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work environment necessitates strong self-management and communication skills, crucial for operational effectiveness in a distributed team setting. The office space is likely equipped with tools and amenities supporting design operations and collaborative workflows.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application and portfolio to assess qualifications and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, detailing specific projects, their role, design process, and outcomes. Expect questions about your approach to signage programming, wayfinding strategy, and integration with architectural design.

• Technical & Behavioral Interviews: Interviews with hiring managers and team members will assess technical skills (software proficiency, design principles) and behavioral competencies (collaboration, problem-solving, communication).

• Case Study/Design Challenge (Potentially): You may be given a small design challenge or a scenario to work through, assessing your problem-solving approach and ability to apply design principles to a specific operational context.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss cultural fit and long-term aspirations within Stantec.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your experience in experiential graphics, signage, and wayfinding, emphasizing your direct contributions.

• Detail Your Process: Clearly articulate your design process for each project, from initial research and concept development to final documentation and implementation considerations.

• Highlight Operational Aspects: Emphasize your role in programming, developing message schedules, creating fabrication-ready drawings, and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, highlight the impact of your designs on user experience, brand perception, or project success.

• Storytelling: Present your work with a clear narrative that explains the problem, your solution, and the outcome.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize Yourself with Stantec's Work: Review their website and recent projects to understand their design aesthetic and project types.

• Brush Up on Wayfinding Principles: Be ready to discuss how you approach user flow, information hierarchy, and environmental integration for wayfinding systems.

• Practice Articulating Your Process: Be prepared to walk through your design process for a complex project, explaining your decision-making at each stage.

• Consider Operational Constraints: Think about how you would manage timelines, budgets, and stakeholder expectations in a design project.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio review and potential design challenges underscores the operational requirement for demonstrating practical application of skills and process adherence, not just creative flair.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for graphic design, including Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop.

• CADD Tools: Proficiency in AutoCAD or similar CAD software may be required for detailed architectural integration.

• Revit: Familiarity with Revit is preferred for seamless collaboration with architectural teams and integration into BIM workflows.

• FileMaker/Databases: May be used for managing large signage programs or message schedules.

• Specialized Wayfinding Software: Experience with tools like WayfindIt or similar platforms is a plus.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus, understanding how design impacts user experience metrics could be beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this design role, but awareness of project management software used within Stantec (e.g., for task tracking and collaboration) would be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The mention of specific software like Revit and WayfindIt highlights the operational need for designers to integrate seamlessly with architectural and project management systems, demanding technical proficiency beyond pure graphic design.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on teamwork and cross-functional partnership to achieve integrated design solutions.

• Sustainability: Commitment to designing environmentally responsible and socially conscious projects.

• Innovation: Encouraging creative problem-solving and the exploration of new design approaches.

• Client Focus: Dedication to understanding and exceeding client expectations through thoughtful design and reliable execution.

• Integrity: Upholding high ethical standards in all professional dealings and project delivery.

Collaboration Style:

• Stantec fosters an integrated design culture where different disciplines work closely together. Expect regular project meetings, design charrettes, and collaborative critiques.

• The BGX team likely operates with a proactive and communicative style, ensuring that graphic and experiential elements are well-integrated from the early stages of a project.

• Feedback is encouraged, and a culture of continuous improvement in design processes and outcomes is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: Stantec's values of collaboration and integrated design directly translate into operational requirements for effective communication and partnership across diverse teams and disciplines.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity with Operational Constraints: Effectively translating creative vision into practical, buildable solutions within project timelines and budgets.

• Integrating Graphics into Complex Architecture: Ensuring seamless and meaningful integration of signage, wayfinding, and experiential graphics within diverse architectural styles and functional requirements.

• Managing Diverse Project Types: Adapting design strategies and execution methods to a wide range of project scales and typologies, from academic institutions to retail developments.

• Keeping Pace with Technology: Staying current with evolving design software, fabrication techniques, and digital integration for experiential graphics.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Access to professional development programs focused on advanced wayfinding, environmental graphics, and emerging design technologies.

• Industry Conferences: Opportunities to attend conferences and workshops related to experiential design, branding, and architecture.

• Mentorship Programs: Benefit from guidance from senior designers and leaders within Stantec’s global network.

• Cross-Disciplinary Projects: Gain exposure to different facets of Stantec's business, broadening your understanding of integrated design and project operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to design operations roles, requiring adaptability, problem-solving skills, and a continuous learning mindset to navigate complex project environments.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex experiential graphic design project you managed from concept to completion. What were the key operational challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on process, collaboration, and problem-solving).

• "How do you approach developing a comprehensive wayfinding strategy for a large public space? Walk us through your programming and documentation process." (Demonstrate systematic approach and operational rigor).

• "Imagine you're tasked with integrating a new brand identity into an existing architectural design. What steps would you take, and how would you collaborate with the architectural team?" (Highlight cross-functional communication and integration skills). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Stantec's approach to sustainable design and integrated practice?" (Show research and alignment with company values).

• "How do you contribute to a collaborative team environment, especially in a hybrid work setting?" (Assess teamwork and communication style).

• "Describe a time you had to manage competing priorities or deadlines on a design project. How did you ensure successful delivery?" (Evaluate project management and operational efficiency). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with an overview of your experience, then dive into 2-3 key projects. For each project, clearly state your role, the objective, your process, the challenges, and the outcome.

• Highlight Operational Contributions: Explicitly mention your work on programming, documentation, coordination with fabricators, and collaboration with other disciplines.

• Visuals: Use high-quality images and clear diagrams. For documentation examples, ensure they are legible and demonstrate your systematic approach.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Practice your presentation to be clear, engaging, and within the allotted timeframe.

• Q&A Readiness: Anticipate questions about your design decisions, software proficiency, and how you handle feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on articulating your process, highlighting operational contributions, and demonstrating how you integrate creative design with practical project execution.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Experiential Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Stantec careers portal via the provided URL.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight keywords from the job description, such as "experiential graphic design," "signage," "wayfinding," "Adobe Creative Suite," "collaboration," and "project documentation." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible (e.g., a well-designed PDF or personal website) and clearly showcases relevant projects, emphasizing your process, operational contributions, and final deliverables.

• Research Stantec: Familiarize yourself with Stantec's projects, values, and their approach to integrated design and sustainability. Understand their BGX team's work.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio and answering common interview questions, focusing on clear communication and demonstrating your operational capabilities.

⚠️ 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.

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