Experiential Graphic Designer - Aviation Market

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Experiential Graphic Designer - Aviation Market

Company: Gresham Smith

Location: Nashville, Tennessee, United States / Tampa, Florida, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Design Operations / GTM Operations (with a focus on client experience and brand implementation)

Date Posted: June 25, 2026

Experience Level: Entry-level (0-3 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in shaping the client and user experience within the aviation sector through innovative experiential graphic design and wayfinding solutions.

• It requires a blend of creative design skills and operational understanding to translate client objectives into tangible, compelling visual and spatial experiences.

• The position involves close collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams, ensuring seamless integration of design concepts throughout project lifecycles, from ideation to construction.

• Success in this role hinges on the ability to effectively communicate design intent, manage production artwork, and contribute to the overall brand narrative of aviation clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the primary function is design, the operational aspects lie in managing the design process from concept to completion, ensuring brand consistency, and collaborating within a structured project management framework typical of GTM or client-facing operations. The "Aviation Market" focus suggests a need for understanding specific client operational needs and regulatory environments.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive design solutions including graphic, 3-dimensional, and interactive elements for experiential design and wayfinding projects, specifically within the aviation sector.

• Translate client objectives, priorities, and brand guidelines into compelling and functional design concepts that enhance user journeys and create memorable experiences.

• Create detailed design visualizations, including hand sketching, photo rendering, and 3D modeling, to effectively communicate project concepts to internal teams and clients.

• Generate precise, production-ready artwork that is drawn to scale and adheres to manufacturing and installation specifications.

• Collaborate effectively with a multi-disciplinary team of architects, engineers, and other designers to ideate, articulate, and refine design concepts within a unified and efficient design process.

• Actively participate in internal design reviews, work sessions, and client presentations, articulating design rationale and incorporating feedback.

• Oversee and follow design projects through the construction phase to ensure successful implementation and adherence to the original design intent.

• Travel as required for onsite client meetings, site assessments, and project presentations, demonstrating a commitment to project success.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative output and project management. The emphasis on "following projects through construction to completion" and "production artwork" indicates an operational responsibility for design execution and quality control within a project lifecycle.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts, Visual Communication, Industrial Design, Graphic Design, or a closely related arts or design field. Experience:

• 0-3 years of relevant professional design experience, or a significant student internship within experiential design, graphic design, or a related field. Experience within the aviation or transportation sector is a strong advantage. Required Skills:

• Adobe Illustrator: Expert-level proficiency for creating vector graphics, illustrations, and detailed design elements.

• Adobe InDesign: Strong command for layout, typography, and creating multi-page documents for presentations and production.

• Adobe Photoshop: Proficiency in image manipulation, photo rendering, and creating visual mockups.

• Microsoft Suite: Demonstrated experience with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for documentation, data management, and client presentations.

• Strong Visual Sense: Deep understanding of typography, composition, color theory, and spatial design principles.

• Communication & Presentation Skills: Ability to clearly articulate design concepts, present work effectively to diverse audiences, and engage in constructive feedback.

• Organizational Skills: Capacity to manage multiple projects, timelines, and details efficiently.

• Proactive & Self-Starting: Highly motivated individual with a passion for design within the built environment and a drive to learn and contribute.

• Curiosity & Collaboration: Genuine curiosity for design challenges and a strong collaborative spirit to work effectively within a team.

Preferred Skills:

• Revit: Familiarity with architectural modeling software to better integrate experiential graphics into building designs.

• SketchUp: Proficiency in 3D modeling for conceptualization and visualization of experiential elements.

• Hand Sketching & Photo Rendering: Advanced skills in these areas to quickly illustrate and communicate design ideas.

• 3D Modeling: Experience in creating detailed 3D models for visualization and production.

• Wayfinding Design Principles: Understanding of user navigation and signage systems in complex environments.

• Experiential Design: Knowledge of creating immersive and engaging user experiences through design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for specific software proficiency (Adobe Creative Suite, Revit, SketchUp) and skills like "production artwork" and "following projects through construction" indicates a need for candidates who can not only design but also execute and manage design deliverables operationally. The "Aviation Market" context suggests that understanding client operational needs within this sector will be a key differentiator.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Process Documentation: Showcase a clear, step-by-step design process from initial concept development, research (including market-specific research for aviation), ideation, design refinement, to final production.

• Visual Communication Examples: Include examples of how you've effectively communicated complex design ideas through sketches, renderings, and 3D models.

• Production-Ready Artwork: Demonstrate experience in creating detailed, scalable artwork suitable for fabrication or installation.

• Project Scope & Objectives: Clearly articulate the client's objectives, your role, and the challenges addressed in each project presented, with a focus on how your designs met operational and experiential goals.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Highlight projects where collaboration with architects, engineers, or other disciplines was critical and how you managed those interactions.

Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how you document project phases, from initial client briefs and concept development to final production specifications.

• Showcase your approach to managing design revisions and incorporating feedback from stakeholders and technical teams.

• Illustrate how you ensure design integrity is maintained from the initial concept through to construction and final implementation, including quality control measures.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an entry-level role, the portfolio should emphasize the candidate's understanding of the design process as an operational framework. It's not just about the final visual, but the methodology behind achieving it, especially when integrating with other disciplines and moving towards production.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Given the entry-level experience (0-3 years) and the specified locations (Nashville, TN and Tampa, FL), the estimated annual salary range for an Experiential Graphic Designer is likely between $55,000 and $75,000. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for graphic designers with similar experience levels in these metropolitan areas, considering the specialized nature of experiential design and the aviation market focus. Benefits:

• Professional Growth:

  • In-house Learning and Development programs.
  • Tuition Reimbursement for continued education.
  • Support for professional licensure and certifications.
  • Engagement in Professional Organizations.

• Culture that Cares: High employee satisfaction scores, indicating a supportive and positive work environment.

• Comprehensive Health & Wellness:

  • Flexible Schedules & Generous Paid Time Off (PTO).
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance plans.
  • Wellness Programs to support employee health.
  • Telemedicine services and Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• Financial Security & Planning:

  • 401(k) retirement plan with a Company Match.
  • Short-term and Long-term Disability coverage.
  • Paid Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance.
  • Supplemental, Critical Care, Pet, Legal, and ID Theft Insurance options.

• Family Support:

  • Family Planning resources.
  • Parental Leave policies.

• Commuting & Accessibility:

  • Mass/Public Transit Program. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work hours are approximately 40 hours per week. The role offers flexibility with hybrid work arrangements, allowing for a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on typical compensation for entry-level design roles in the specified regions and the specialized nature of experiential design. The comprehensive benefits package reflects a company that invests in employee well-being and professional development, which is crucial for attracting and retaining talent in creative and operational roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) consulting, with a specialization in infrastructure and institutions. Gresham Smith operates within a B2B service environment, delivering complex projects for clients.

Company Size: Gresham Smith is a significant player in its field, with a company size that suggests robust operational infrastructure and a wide range of project opportunities. This size typically means a well-defined organizational structure and access to diverse resources.

Founded: Founded in 1967, Gresham Smith has a long-standing history and established reputation, indicative of stable leadership, enduring client relationships, and a proven track record in project delivery.

Team Structure:

• Experiential Design & Wayfinding Team: This is a specialized team likely comprising designers with expertise in creating immersive environments and navigation systems.

• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: The role emphasizes working within a multi-disciplinary framework, involving architects, engineers, and other design professionals. This requires strong communication and integration skills.

• Reporting: Typically, junior designers report to senior designers or design leads within their specialization, who in turn report to practice leaders or principals.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While creative, the role is grounded in client objectives and user needs, implying a data-informed approach to design solutions, especially within regulated environments like aviation.

• Integrated Design Process: Gresham Smith promotes a unified design process, suggesting a structured and collaborative approach to project execution, ensuring all disciplines work cohesively.

• Client-Centric Solutions: The core purpose of creating "healthy and thriving communities" indicates a focus on delivering solutions that genuinely benefit clients and end-users, emphasizing impact and long-term value.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's long history and focus on "Genuine Ingenuity" and "Core Purpose" suggest a culture that values both innovation and operational excellence. The emphasis on "people-first" and "Best Place to Work" indicates a strong internal focus on employee well-being and development, which is crucial for operational roles that require sustained effort and collaboration.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an entry-level designer (0-3 years), serving as a foundational step in a career within experiential and environmental graphic design. It requires learning and applying established operational processes for design development and project execution.

Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report to a Senior Experiential Designer or Design Director, who oversees the team's operational workflow and project assignments. Collaboration will be key with architects and other project leads.

Operations Impact: The designer's work directly impacts client satisfaction by ensuring their brand and operational needs are visually and experientially met. Successful design implementation enhances user experience, brand perception, and operational efficiency (e.g., wayfinding clarity reduces confusion and stress for travelers).

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Develop deep expertise in experiential design, aviation sector specifics, and advanced visualization techniques.

• Project Leadership: Progress to leading design efforts on smaller projects or specific components of larger ones, managing timelines and deliverables more autonomously.

• Client Interaction: Gain experience in presenting designs and interacting directly with clients, moving towards a client-facing role.

• Mentorship: Benefit from mentorship from senior designers and project managers, learning best practices in design operations and project execution.

• Advancement: Potential to advance to Senior Experiential Designer, Design Lead, or even explore project management roles within the design discipline.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path emphasizes not only design skill enhancement but also operational competencies like project management, client communication, and process adherence within the AEC context.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment, requiring 3 days per week in either the Nashville or Tampa office. This blend aims to foster in-office collaboration while offering flexibility.

Office Location(s):

• Nashville, TN (37201)

• Tampa, FL (33607)

These are professional office settings designed for collaborative work in the AEC industry.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Offices are equipped with collaborative areas, meeting rooms, and potentially studio spaces conducive to brainstorming and team-based design work.

• Technology Access: Employees will have access to industry-standard hardware and software, including high-performance workstations necessary for running design applications like Adobe Creative Suite and 3D modeling software.

• Team Interaction: The hybrid model encourages focused in-office time for team meetings, critiques, and spontaneous collaboration, vital for the iterative design process.

Work Schedule:

• The role is full-time, with an expected 40-hour work week. The hybrid arrangement offers flexibility in scheduling, allowing for personal time management while ensuring core in-office collaboration days are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key operational aspect, requiring employees to manage their time effectively between remote and in-office work to maximize collaboration and productivity.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and design aesthetic. Be prepared to articulate your design process and motivation.

• Technical/Creative Interview: This stage will likely involve a more in-depth discussion about your portfolio, design skills, and technical proficiency with required software. You may be asked to walk through specific projects, explaining your design choices and problem-solving approach.

• Team/Culture Fit Interview: An opportunity to meet with potential team members and managers. Focus on demonstrating your collaborative spirit, communication style, and alignment with Gresham Smith's values.

• Potential Design Challenge: For entry-level roles, a small design exercise or case study might be assigned to gauge your approach to a specific problem or your ability to work within constraints.

• Final Interview: Typically with a senior leader to discuss overall fit and long-term potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your skills in experiential graphic design, typography, and visual communication. Prioritize projects relevant to the aviation or transportation sectors if possible.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly outline the client's brief, your role, the design process, key challenges, your solutions, and the final outcome. Use visuals effectively to support your narrative.

• Highlight Process: Emphasize your design methodology, research, and how you arrived at your solutions. For this role, showcasing your ability to create production-ready artwork and integrate with architectural designs is crucial.

• Technical Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, and any experience with Revit or SketchUp.

• Conciseness: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and highlights your most impactful work without being overly dense.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a design challenge is provided, understand the scope and objective thoroughly.

• Focus on demonstrating your thought process and problem-solving skills, not just a polished final product.

• Adhere strictly to any time limits or specific instructions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview and portfolio review process for design roles, especially in a firm like Gresham Smith, will heavily scrutinize the candidate's ability to translate creative vision into tangible, executable design solutions that align with client operational needs and project constraints.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Software:

• Adobe Illustrator: Essential for vector graphics, logo development, detailed illustrations, and production artwork. Proficiency is non-negotiable.

• Adobe InDesign: Crucial for layout, typography, and creating presentation decks, proposals, and detailed specification documents.

• Adobe Photoshop: Used for image editing, photo rendering, mockups, and creating visual assets.

3D Modeling & Visualization (Preferred):

• SketchUp: Valuable for quick 3D conceptualization, massing studies, and visualizing spatial relationships of graphic elements.

• Revit: Understanding Revit is a significant advantage as it allows for direct integration of experiential graphics into architectural models, demonstrating a grasp of the built environment's technical aspects.

• Other 3D Software: Familiarity with other 3D modeling or rendering software (e.g., Rhino, 3ds Max, V-Ray) can be beneficial.

Productivity & Collaboration Tools:

• Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint): Standard for documentation, data handling, and presentations.

• Project Management Software: While not explicitly listed, experience with tools like Asana, Trello, Monday.com, or company-specific platforms (like Ultipro for HR/internal ops) is often expected for managing tasks and deadlines.

• Communication Platforms: Microsoft Teams, Slack, or similar for internal team communication.

Specialized Tools (Potentially):

• Wayfinding Software: Familiarity with tools specific to wayfinding design or mapping could be a plus.

• Rendering Engines: Advanced rendering software for high-quality visualizations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack emphasizes proficiency in industry-standard design software, with a strong preference for tools that facilitate integration with architectural and construction workflows (Revit, SketchUp), indicating an operational need for designers who can work seamlessly within the AEC ecosystem.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Genuine Ingenuity: A core value emphasizing creative problem-solving and innovative thinking applied to practical challenges within the built environment. For operations, this means finding efficient and effective ways to deliver design solutions.

• Care for People: A commitment to employee well-being, fostering a supportive and respectful work environment. This translates to teamwork, open communication, and mutual support among colleagues.

• Integrity & Respect: Upholding ethical standards and treating all individuals with dignity. In operations, this means transparent dealings, reliable execution, and fair collaboration.

• Teamwork: A strong emphasis on collaboration and collective achievement. This role requires working effectively within a multi-disciplinary team to achieve project goals.

• Data-Driven Approach: While a creative role, the company's focus on "healthy and thriving communities" and its position in the AEC sector suggests that design decisions are informed by research, client needs, and performance metrics.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated & Multi-Disciplinary: Expect to work closely with architects, engineers, and other designers, requiring active participation in cross-functional meetings and design charrettes.

• Feedback-Oriented: A culture that encourages constructive critiques and open dialogue to refine designs and processes.

• Process-Focused: Collaboration likely follows established project management methodologies, ensuring clear communication channels and efficient workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "Genuine Ingenuity" and "Teamwork" highlights the company's operational philosophy: innovative solutions delivered through collaborative effort. The "Care for People" aspect suggests a positive and sustainable work environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity with Operational Constraints: Translating innovative design concepts into practical, producible, and budget-conscious solutions within the aviation sector's specific requirements.

• Multi-Disciplinary Coordination: Effectively communicating and integrating graphic design intent with the technical requirements of architects and engineers.

• Navigating Client Expectations: Understanding and delivering on the unique operational and branding needs of aviation clients, which can be complex and highly regulated.

• Entry-Level Learning Curve: Mastering new software, design processes, and industry-specific knowledge within a professional setting.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in experiential graphics, wayfinding, and advanced visualization techniques.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining hands-on experience in the aviation market, understanding its unique operational demands and design considerations.

• Mentorship: Learning from experienced designers and project managers to develop both creative and operational project management skills.

• Professional Development: Access to in-house training, tuition reimbursement, and support for professional organization engagement to foster continuous learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges and growth opportunities are framed around developing both design expertise and operational project execution skills within a demanding industry context.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process & Problem Solving: Be prepared to discuss your design process for a project in your portfolio. How do you approach a new client brief, conduct research (especially for a niche market like aviation), and iterate on ideas? What was a significant challenge, and how did you overcome it?

• Collaboration & Communication: Describe a time you worked with a team of architects or engineers. How did you ensure your design vision was understood and integrated effectively? How do you handle constructive criticism on your designs?

• Technical Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your experience with Adobe Creative Suite. If you have Revit or SketchUp experience, be prepared to explain how you've used them. You might be asked about your understanding of file types for production.

• Aviation Market Understanding: While not expected to be an expert, demonstrating an understanding of the unique challenges and user experience considerations in airports or aviation facilities (e.g., high traffic, security, branding, passenger flow) will be beneficial. Research recent airport design trends.

Company & Culture Questions:

• What interests you about Gresham Smith specifically, and what do you know about our work in the aviation sector?

• How do you align with our values of "Genuine Ingenuity," "Care for People," and "Teamwork"?

• Describe your ideal work environment and how you thrive in a hybrid setting. Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Process: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process (research, ideation, development), your solution, and the outcome.

• Showcase Production Skills: Highlight examples where you created detailed artwork for fabrication or installation. Explain your understanding of scale, materials, and technical specifications.

• Visual Storytelling: Use strong visuals to guide the interviewer through your work. Ensure your presentation is clean, professional, and easy to follow.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your portfolio within a given timeframe, focusing on the most relevant and impactful projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only creative talent but also a structured, collaborative, and process-oriented approach to design, aligning with operational expectations for project delivery and client satisfaction.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Experiential Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Gresham Smith careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects that demonstrate your skills in experiential graphics, wayfinding, and visual communication. If possible, include any work related to transportation, public spaces, or aviation. Emphasize your design process and ability to create production-ready artwork.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly lists your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and any experience with Revit or SketchUp. Highlight relevant internships or academic projects, focusing on transferable skills like collaboration, problem-solving, and attention to detail.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Gresham Smith's portfolio, particularly their work in the aviation sector. Understand their core values and culture to articulate your fit during interviews.

• Interview Practice: Prepare to discuss your portfolio in detail, focusing on your design process, technical skills, and how you collaborate within a team. Practice articulating your interest in the aviation market and your career aspirations.

⚠️ 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.