Experiential Graphic Designer - Life and Work Places Market

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Experiential Graphic Designer - Life and Work Places Market

Company: Gresham Smith

Location: Nashville, TN; Tampa, FL

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Experiential Design / Graphic Design

Date Posted: 2026-08-31

Experience Level: 0-3 years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design compelling 3D, graphic, and interactive elements for experiential and wayfinding projects within the Life and Work Places market.

• Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team of architects and designers to articulate and visualize design concepts.

• Generate production artwork and follow projects from initial concept through construction and completion.

• Develop creative solutions that align with client objectives and enhance the built environment.

• Contribute to a culture of "Genuine Ingenuity" through curiosity, creativity, and a collaborative spirit.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within Gresham Smith's "Life and Work Places Market," indicating a focus on designing environments that support both living and working, such as mixed-use developments, corporate campuses, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions. The "Experiential Graphic Designer" title suggests a specialization in creating dynamic and engaging visual experiences within these physical spaces, often involving wayfinding, branding, and interactive elements.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive design solutions for experiential graphics and wayfinding, encompassing graphic, 3-dimensional, and interactive components, to meet diverse client objectives.

• Translate design ideas into detailed studies and compelling visualizations using hand sketching, photo rendering, and 3D modeling to effectively communicate project concepts.

• Produce precise production artwork, ensuring all elements are drawn to scale and meet technical specifications for implementation.

• Actively participate in a multi-disciplinary design process, collaborating closely with architects, interior designers, and other specialists to ideate and refine concepts.

• Engage in internal design reviews, work sessions, and critiques to foster continuous improvement and share insights within the design team.

• Provide support during client presentations and reviews, articulating design rationale and solutions clearly and persuasively.

• Oversee projects through the construction phase, ensuring design integrity and quality are maintained from inception to completion.

• Undertake necessary travel for onsite meetings, client consultations, and site assessments to support project execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "following projects through construction to completion" suggests that this role requires a degree of project management and oversight, ensuring that the designed experiences are realized accurately and effectively in the built environment. This extends beyond pure design to include a practical understanding of implementation and execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

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

• 0-3 years of relevant design experience, including internships or co-op programs within the design industry, particularly focusing on the built environment. Required Skills:

• Exceptional proficiency in Adobe Illustrator for creating vector graphics and detailed design elements.

• Strong command of Adobe InDesign for layout, typesetting, and document creation.

• Advanced skills in Adobe Photoshop for image manipulation, photo rendering, and visual composition.

• Demonstrated expertise in the Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for documentation, data management, and presentations.

• A keen visual sense with a solid understanding of typography, composition, and color theory.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, capable of articulating design concepts effectively to various stakeholders.

• Strong organizational abilities to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and design assets.

• Proactive, self-starter mentality with a passion for design within the built environment. Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with Revit for understanding architectural plans and integrating design elements within BIM environments.

• Experience with SketchUp for 3D modeling and visualization of spatial concepts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "0-3 years" experience level, combined with the preference for student internships, indicates that this is an entry-level to junior designer position. Candidates are expected to have a strong foundational education and demonstrated software proficiency, with a clear growth trajectory expected within the firm. The "Life and Work Places Market" context suggests that experience or a strong interest in these specific environments (e.g., healthcare, corporate, education) would be advantageous.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 diverse projects that demonstrate proficiency in experiential graphic design, wayfinding, and environmental graphics.

• Include examples of 3D visualization, hand sketching, and photo rendering to illustrate the design process and final output.

• Present case studies that highlight problem-solving approaches, client objectives, and the impact of the design solutions.

• Demonstrate clear understanding and application of typography, composition, and color theory in design projects.

• Feature projects that show collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams, if applicable, illustrating teamwork and communication skills. Process Documentation:

• Detail the design process for at least one project, from initial concept development and research through to final production artwork.

• Explain how design solutions were translated into functional elements for the built environment, including any considerations for materials, scale, and installation.

• Illustrate the use of specific software tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp) in the design and visualization workflow.

• For wayfinding projects, include examples of how user flow and spatial understanding informed the design.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an entry-level role, the portfolio should emphasize foundational design skills, software proficiency, and a clear design process. The ability to communicate the "why" behind design decisions and demonstrate an understanding of how graphics integrate into the built environment will be crucial. Projects showing problem-solving for specific client needs within commercial, institutional, or healthcare settings would be highly relevant.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for entry-level Experiential Graphic Designers in Nashville, TN, and Tampa, FL, with 0-3 years of experience, the estimated annual salary range is $55,000 - $70,000. This estimate considers the cost of living in these metropolitan areas and the specialized nature of experiential design. Factors such as specific internship experience, software proficiency beyond the required, and demonstrated design talent can influence placement within this range. Benefits:

• Professional Growth:

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

• Work-Life Balance:

  • Flexible Schedules
  • Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Health & Wellness:

  • Comprehensive Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision)
  • Wellness Programs
  • Telemedicine services
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Financial Security:

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

• Family Support:

  • Family Planning resources
  • Parental Leave

• Commuting:

  • Mass/Public Transit Program support Working Hours:

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

• The company offers a hybrid work option, requiring three days per week in the office and allowing for two days of remote work. This structure provides flexibility while ensuring in-person collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on typical compensation for junior designers in the specified locations and industry. The comprehensive benefits package highlights Gresham Smith's commitment to employee well-being, professional development, and work-life integration, which are attractive aspects for candidates at this career stage.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Architecture, Engineering, Construction (AEC), Design Consulting. Gresham Smith operates at the intersection of these fields, focusing on planning, designing, and consulting for essential infrastructure and institutions.

Company Size: The company is of significant size, indicated by its multiple office locations and a broad range of services, likely falling into the 500-1000+ employee range. This size allows for diverse project opportunities and a robust internal support structure.

Founded: Gresham Smith was founded in 1967. This long history suggests a stable organization with established practices, a strong client base, and a deep understanding of the markets it serves.

Team Structure:

• The Experiential Design and Wayfinding team is likely integrated within broader design studios or market-specific groups (e.g., Life and Work Places).

• Team members collaborate closely with architects, interior designers, and urban planners, forming multi-disciplinary project teams.

• Reporting structure likely involves a Senior Designer, Design Manager, or Principal within the relevant market segment. Methodology:

• Gresham Smith emphasizes "Genuine Ingenuity," a culture that values curiosity, creativity, and collaborative problem-solving.

• Design processes are client-centric, focusing on understanding objectives and priorities to deliver innovative solutions.

• Data-driven insights and a focus on creating "healthy and thriving communities" guide their approach to projects.

• A commitment to care for people, clients, and communities is a foundational element of their operational philosophy.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's core purpose of creating "healthy and thriving communities" and its "Genuine Ingenuity" culture are key differentiators. For an operations-focused role (though this is design-centric, operational aspects like process and collaboration are key), understanding this ethos is crucial for cultural fit. The hybrid model and emphasis on employee well-being are also significant cultural indicators.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as an entry-level to junior designer position (0-3 years of experience). It represents an opportunity to build a foundation in experiential graphic design, wayfinding, and environmental graphics within a professional, multi-disciplinary firm. The scope involves executing design tasks under guidance and gradually taking on more responsibility for project components.

Reporting Structure: The Experiential Graphic Designer will likely report to a Senior Experiential Designer, a Design Director, or a Market Leader within the Life and Work Places sector. They will also work closely with project managers and other discipline leads.

Operations Impact: While this is a design role, its operational impact is significant. Successful experiential graphics and wayfinding systems are critical for user experience, brand perception, and operational efficiency within spaces like hospitals, corporate campuses, and public venues. This role contributes directly to the functionality and aesthetic success of designed environments, influencing how users navigate and interact with the built world.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Develop advanced expertise in experiential design, wayfinding strategy, 3D visualization, and materials.

• Project Leadership: Progress to leading design initiatives for specific projects or components, managing client interactions and design execution.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gain exposure to architecture, urban planning, and interior design, broadening understanding of the built environment.

• Professional Development: Leverage in-house learning, tuition reimbursement, and licensure support to advance career and potentially gain professional accreditation.

• Market Expansion: Contribute to projects across various sectors within the Life and Work Places market, building a diverse portfolio and client experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for this role involves deepening design expertise and taking on more project ownership. The firm's investment in professional development and its multi-disciplinary approach provide a solid framework for career advancement within the AEC industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in a "casual corporate office setting" with a hybrid work option (3 days in office, 2 days remote). This suggests a professional yet relaxed atmosphere conducive to collaboration and focused work.

Office Location(s): Nashville, TN, and Tampa, FL. These are major metropolitan areas offering vibrant professional communities and access to diverse projects.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely include access to shared design studios, meeting rooms, and collaborative zones that facilitate interaction with architects and other design professionals.

• Employees will have access to industry-standard design software and hardware necessary for executing their tasks.

• Opportunities for informal and formal collaboration with a diverse group of talented individuals are inherent to the office environment. Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule is approximately 40 hours per week.

• The hybrid model offers flexibility, allowing for a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work, accommodating focused design tasks and personal needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model is a key aspect of the work environment, reflecting a modern approach to workplace flexibility. The "casual corporate" setting implies a balance between professionalism and approachability, encouraging a comfortable yet productive atmosphere.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• First Interview (Virtual/In-person): Typically with a hiring manager or senior designer. This will focus on your background, design philosophy, software proficiency, and understanding of experiential design principles. Expect questions about your motivation and career aspirations.

• Portfolio Review Session: A dedicated time to walk through your portfolio, discussing specific projects, your design process, problem-solving approaches, and contributions. Be prepared to articulate your design rationale and the impact of your work.

• Team/Cross-functional Interview: You may meet with other designers or architects from the Life and Work Places team to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and ability to integrate into a multi-disciplinary environment.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a principal or market leader, focusing on overall fit with the company culture, long-term potential, and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 strong projects that best showcase your skills in experiential graphics, wayfinding, and 3D visualization. Tailor the selection to highlight relevant experience for the "Life and Work Places" market if possible.

• Showcase Process: Don't just present final outcomes. Include sketches, mood boards, concept development stages, and technical details to illustrate your thought process and problem-solving abilities.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, explain the intended or realized impact of your designs (e.g., improved navigation, enhanced user experience, brand reinforcement).

• Highlight Collaboration: If projects involved teamwork, clearly define your specific contributions and how you collaborated with others.

• Technical Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your software workflow and how you leverage tools like Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, and potentially Revit/SketchUp.

• Storytelling: Present your projects as narratives, explaining the challenge, your approach, and the solution.

Challenge Preparation:

• While not explicitly mentioned, be prepared for potential design exercises or case study discussions that might assess your ability to quickly conceptualize solutions for a given brief related to environmental graphics or wayfinding.

• Practice articulating design decisions clearly and concisely, as you will need to present your work effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio review and demonstrating a clear design process is critical. For an entry-level role, showing potential, a strong foundational understanding, and a collaborative spirit is as important as a polished portfolio. Understanding Gresham Smith's culture of "Genuine Ingenuity" and their focus on "healthy and thriving communities" should inform your approach.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency in Adobe Illustrator (vector graphics, illustrations), Adobe InDesign (layout, typography, production artwork), and Adobe Photoshop (image editing, rendering, visual composition).

• Microsoft Suite: Proficiency in Word for documentation, Excel for basic data management, and PowerPoint for presentations is expected.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus for this design role, understanding how design impacts user experience and can be measured (e.g., through client feedback, post-occupancy evaluations) is beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design responsibilities of this role. Preferred/Valued Tools:

• Revit: Familiarity with Revit is a plus, enabling better integration with architectural design and BIM workflows.

• SketchUp: Experience with SketchUp is advantageous for quick 3D modeling and visualization of spatial concepts.

• 3D Modeling Software: General experience with other 3D modeling or rendering software can be beneficial.

• Hand Sketching: Strong fundamental sketching skills for ideation and communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement is a strong command of the Adobe Creative Suite. The preferred tools (Revit, SketchUp) indicate a desire for candidates who can bridge the gap between graphic design and the built environment, understanding architectural contexts and 3D spatial design.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Genuine Ingenuity: Embrace curiosity, creativity, and innovative problem-solving in all design work.

• Care for People: Demonstrate respect and a collaborative spirit towards colleagues, clients, and the communities served.

• Integrity: Uphold high ethical standards in design practice and professional conduct.

• Teamwork: Actively contribute to a collaborative environment, valuing diverse perspectives and shared goals.

• Commitment to Thriving Communities: Design with a purpose to create positive impacts on the places people live, work, and heal.

Collaboration Style:

• Multi-disciplinary Integration: Work seamlessly within teams composed of architects, interior designers, and other specialists, fostering cross-pollination of ideas.

• Open Communication: Engage in transparent and constructive dialogue during design sessions, critiques, and client interactions.

• Feedback Loop: Be receptive to feedback and willing to iterate on designs based on input from peers and stakeholders.

• Shared Vision: Contribute to a unified design process, ensuring that experiential graphics are harmoniously integrated with the overall architectural and interior design vision.

📝 Enhancement Note: Gresham Smith's stated values (Genuine Ingenuity, Care, Integrity, Teamwork) are central to their culture. Candidates should demonstrate how their personal work ethic and collaboration style align with these principles. The emphasis on "care" and "thriving communities" suggests a purpose-driven work environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Bridging Design Disciplines: Effectively translating graphic design principles into 3D, spatial, and interactive experiences within the context of architecture and interior design.

• Client Objective Alignment: Ensuring design solutions meet diverse client needs and priorities while maintaining creative integrity.

• Project Lifecycle Management: Following projects through construction requires attention to detail, coordination with contractors, and problem-solving on-site.

• Rapid Ideation & Visualization: Quickly generating concepts and visualizations to meet project timelines and client expectations.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Training: Access to in-house learning resources and potential for external training in advanced design software, visualization techniques, and experiential design trends.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from experienced designers and architects within the firm, gaining insights into best practices and career development.

• Project Diversity: Exposure to a wide range of project types within the Life and Work Places market, allowing for broad skill development and portfolio building.

• Professional Engagement: Support for participation in industry organizations and events to stay abreast of trends and network with peers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge will be developing a comprehensive understanding of how graphic design translates into the physical, experiential realm of the built environment. The growth opportunities are substantial for a junior designer eager to learn and expand their skillset within a supportive, multi-disciplinary firm.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing an experiential graphic or wayfinding concept from brief to final design." (Focus on ideation, research, collaboration, and visualization).

• "How do you ensure your designs effectively communicate intended messages or guide users through a space?" (Discuss user-centric design, clarity, and visual hierarchy).

• "Tell me about a time you had to collaborate with architects or other design professionals on a project. What was your role and how did you contribute?" (Highlight teamwork, communication, and integration skills). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Gresham Smith and our 'Life and Work Places' market?" (Research the firm's portfolio and mission).

• "How do you embody 'Genuine Ingenuity' in your design approach?" (Connect your creative process and problem-solving to this value).

• "How do you approach receiving and providing design feedback?" (Demonstrate receptiveness and constructive communication). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Project Selection: Choose 3-5 projects that best showcase your core skills in experiential graphics, wayfinding, and 3D visualization. Prioritize projects that align with the Life and Work Places market if possible.

• Narrative Flow: Structure your presentation around the story of each project: the client's challenge, your design process, key decisions, your contributions, and the outcome or intended impact.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. Use high-quality images and clear annotations.

• Software Demonstration: Be prepared to discuss your proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and any experience with Revit or SketchUp. If asked, you might briefly show how you'd approach a specific design task in Illustrator or Photoshop.

• Conciseness: Keep your explanations focused and to the point, respecting the interviewer's time.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to articulate your design process and philosophy clearly. For an entry-level role, demonstrating enthusiasm, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to learn are key. Showing an understanding of how your design work contributes to the broader goals of creating functional and engaging built environments will be highly valued.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Experiential Graphic Designer position:

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

• Portfolio Preparation: Curate a digital portfolio (PDF or website) showcasing 3-5 relevant projects. Focus on demonstrating your skills in graphic design, 3D visualization, and understanding of the built environment, particularly in mixed-use, corporate, or institutional settings. Ensure your portfolio clearly outlines your design process and individual contributions.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your degree, relevant coursework, internship experience, and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and other relevant software. Use keywords from the job description such as "Experiential Graphic Design," "Wayfinding," "3D Modeling," and "Built Environment."

• Interview Practice: Prepare to discuss your portfolio projects in detail, articulate your design thinking, and explain how you approach collaboration. Research Gresham Smith's mission, values, and recent projects, especially within their Life and Work Places market.

• Company Research: Understand Gresham Smith's commitment to "Genuine Ingenuity" and their focus on creating "healthy and thriving communities." Be ready to discuss how your personal values and design approach align with the company's culture.

⚠️ 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.