Experiential Graphic Designer III

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Experiential Graphic Designer III

Company: CannonDesign

Location: Denver, CO

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Design Operations / Creative Strategy

Date Posted: October 25, 2025

Experience Level: 7+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on the strategic application of graphic design principles within built environments, transforming client visions into tangible, experiential spaces.

• The position involves end-to-end project involvement, from conceptualization and client engagement to detailed artwork production and fabrication coordination.

• It requires a strong blend of creative problem-solving, technical design execution, and collaborative teamwork within a multidisciplinary design practice.

• The Experiential Graphic Designer III will play a key role in enhancing brand identity and user experience through innovative signage, wayfinding, and exhibit design.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is in graphic design, the emphasis on "experiential," "built environments," "reimagining how identity comes to life," and "elevating spaces into unforgettable experiences" positions it within a specialized area often referred to as Design Operations or Creative Strategy within larger firms, particularly those with a focus on GTM (Go-To-Market) or client-facing project delivery. The operations aspect lies in the structured process, client management, and cross-functional collaboration required to bring complex design projects to fruition.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and participate in all stages of the experiential graphic design process, from initial concept development and client strategy translation to final artwork production and fabrication oversight.

• Develop compelling visual concepts and detailed design solutions across various media, including two- and three-dimensional graphics, environmental signage, wayfinding systems, donor recognition programs, and interpretive exhibits.

• Collaborate closely with interior designers, architects, and senior design leaders to ensure seamless integration of graphic elements within the built environment, enhancing overall project vision.

• Prepare high-quality visualizations, mockups, and camera-ready artwork for client presentations and fabrication, ensuring accuracy and adherence to project specifications.

• Coordinate effectively with external vendors, fabricators, and consultants to manage the production and installation process, ensuring quality and timely delivery.

• Contribute to the sharing of the team's work across internal and external platforms, including design award submissions and social media, promoting the firm's expertise.

• Actively engage in design critiques, offering and receiving constructive feedback to refine concepts and elevate the quality of design output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description highlights a progression in responsibility, indicating that the "III" level implies an expectation of project leadership and independent execution, particularly in translating complex client needs into actionable design strategies. The responsibilities also suggest a need for strong project management fundamentals, even if not the primary function.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in experiential graphic design, environmental graphic design, or a closely related discipline.

Required Skills:

• Exceptional portfolio showcasing strong conceptual thinking, design execution, and a focus on transforming spaces into experiences.

• Proficiency in 3-dimensional design principles, wayfinding strategy, exhibition design, and environmental design applications.

• Superior typography skills with a keen eye for detail and aesthetic balance.

• Robust communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to collaborate effectively within fast-moving, complex, and multidisciplinary project teams.

• Analytical mindset with the capacity for independent thinking and problem-solving.

• Meticulous attention to detail in all aspects of design and documentation.

Preferred Skills:

• Working knowledge and experience with Revit and SketchUp for 3D modeling and visualization.

• Basic understanding of project management principles and client budget considerations.

• Experience in high-end workplace environments, with a portfolio demonstrating relevant project experience in this sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "III" designation strongly suggests an expectation of leadership and independent project ownership. The requirement for a "working knowledge and experience in all phases of design process: medium to large projects" and "basic understanding of project management" points to a need for candidates who can not only design but also manage the operational aspects of design delivery.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive design portfolio is critical, demonstrating a strong foundation in graphic design principles and a specialized focus on experiential and environmental applications.

• Portfolio pieces should clearly articulate the design process from strategy and concept development through to final execution and impact on the built environment.

• Showcase specific examples of 2D and 3D graphics, signage systems, wayfinding strategies, and exhibit designs, highlighting problem-solving and creative solutions.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate experience in translating client briefs and strategic objectives into actionable design programs and documentation.

• Provide examples of how design concepts are developed into detailed specifications for fabrication, including graphic programs, signage schedules, and wayfinding plans under senior direction.

• Showcase the ability to produce camera-ready artwork and prepare visualizations/mockups for client review, indicating an understanding of production workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role at this level, the portfolio is not just a collection of work but a demonstration of operational capability. It should illustrate the candidate's ability to manage projects from inception to completion, including client interaction, vendor coordination, and production oversight – essentially, a "process portfolio."

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options.

• Voluntary insurance plans.

• Paid Time Off (PTO).

• Flexible work schedules and hybrid work options.

• 401k retirement savings plan.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time commitment, likely around 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered through flex-time schedules and hybrid work options.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is specific to Denver, CO. For candidates outside this location, salary expectations may differ significantly due to cost of living and market rates for similar roles. The benefits package is robust and aligns with industry standards for design firms, offering good support for work-life balance and professional development.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Architecture, Engineering, and Design Services. CannonDesign operates within the professional services sector, focusing on creating transformative built environments.

Company Size: CannonDesign is a large, established firm, indicated by its extensive project portfolio and global presence. This size suggests a structured organization with established processes and opportunities for diverse project exposure.

Founded: CannonDesign has a long history, implying a stable and experienced organization with a deep understanding of the design industry.

Team Structure:

• The Experiential Graphic Design team is a specialized unit within CannonDesign, likely collaborating closely with architectural, interior design, and engineering disciplines.

• The role reports to senior design leaders within the EGD team and interfaces with larger project teams, indicating a hierarchical but collaborative structure.

Methodology:

• CannonDesign champions "Living-Centered Design," a methodology focused on creating human-centric, sustainable, and impactful solutions.

• The team likely employs a data-informed and user-focused approach to design, integrating curiosity, empathy, and intuition to solve complex client challenges.

• Processes emphasize creativity, rigorous execution from concept to production, and a commitment to client adoration through exceptional service.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's "Living-Centered Design" philosophy is a key differentiator and should be understood by applicants. It suggests a culture that values user experience, social impact, and holistic design thinking, which is crucial for roles that bridge design and client strategy.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is defined as an "Experiential Graphic Designer III," indicating an intermediate to senior professional level. It signifies a move beyond junior design tasks to taking ownership of significant project components, concept development, and client interaction. The expectation is for a high degree of autonomy and creative leadership within their domain.

Reporting Structure: The Designer III will report to senior design leaders within the Experiential Graphic Design (EGD) team. They will also work closely with project managers and collaborate with architects and interior designers, forming part of broader project teams. This structure allows for mentorship from senior staff while contributing to diverse project scopes.

Operations Impact: The Experiential Graphic Designer III directly influences the client's brand perception and user experience within the built environment. Their work bridges strategic client goals with tangible design outcomes, impacting how users interact with spaces, understand information, and connect with an organization's identity. This role is crucial for delivering on the firm's promise of creating memorable and impactful environments.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization & Leadership: Advance to senior or principal designer roles within EGD, leading larger projects, client relationships, and potentially managing smaller teams. Develop deeper expertise in specific market sectors (e.g., healthcare, workplace, sports).

• Skill Development: Enhance proficiency in advanced 3D modeling (Revit, SketchUp), explore integration with digital technologies in experiential design, and develop stronger project management and client pitching skills.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Gain deeper insights into architecture, interior design, and urban planning through integrated project work, fostering a more holistic understanding of the built environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "III" level suggests that candidates are expected to contribute strategically and not just execute. The growth path would likely involve increasing client-facing responsibilities, project management oversight, and potentially leading design initiatives.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as Hybrid, suggesting a blend of in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility. CannonDesign emphasizes a collaborative environment, so in-office days are likely geared towards team interaction, brainstorming, and client meetings.

Office Location(s): The specific office is Denver, CO. This implies access to a vibrant professional community and potentially diverse project opportunities within the region.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed to foster collaboration, with opportunities for lively design critiques and direct interaction with colleagues from various design disciplines.

• Access to necessary design tools and technology, including industry-standard software (Adobe Creative Suite) and potentially 3D modeling tools (Revit, SketchUp), is expected.

• The environment encourages open communication and idea sharing, aligning with the firm's commitment to transparency and innovation.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is typical, the offering of flex-time schedules and hybrid work options provides operational flexibility, allowing designers to manage their workflows effectively while meeting project deadlines and team commitments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role, combined with CannonDesign's emphasis on collaboration, suggests that successful candidates will need to be adept at both independent work and effective remote/in-person team engagement.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications, experience, and design sensibility.

• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, walking through selected projects to demonstrate their design process, problem-solving skills, and ability to translate client needs into impactful experiential graphics. Expect detailed questions about their role, contributions, and strategic thinking.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with EGD team members and potentially project leaders from architecture or interior design to assess collaborative fit, communication style, and technical expertise.

• Behavioral & Situational Questions: Questions will gauge problem-solving abilities, approach to challenges, and alignment with CannonDesign's "Living-Centered Design" philosophy and company values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your experience in experiential graphic design, environmental graphics, wayfinding, and 3D applications. Prioritize projects that align with CannonDesign's market sectors (workplace, healthcare, sports).

• Detail the Process: For each project, clearly articulate the client's challenge, your role, the strategic approach, design rationale, and the final outcome/impact. Use diagrams, sketches, and mockups to illustrate your thought process.

• Highlight Collaboration: Emphasize how you worked with other disciplines (architects, interior designers) and vendors, showcasing your ability to integrate and communicate effectively.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, provide metrics or qualitative feedback on how your designs improved user experience, brand recognition, or addressed client objectives.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your approach to translating abstract client visions into concrete design solutions.

• Anticipate questions about your experience with fabrication processes, material selection, and coordinating with vendors.

• Understand CannonDesign's "Living-Centered Design" philosophy and be ready to articulate how your design approach aligns with it.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio review and potential design challenges highlights the practical, execution-oriented nature of this role. Candidates should prepare to not just talk about design but to demonstrate how they design and manage the process.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign is mandatory for creating and producing design assets.

• 3D Modeling Software: Experience with Revit and SketchUp is preferred, indicating a need for visualization and integration within architectural models.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design function, but an awareness of how design fits into broader client relationship management and project workflows is valuable.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specific mention of Adobe Suite, Revit, and SketchUp is critical. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency, especially in the Adobe suite, and ideally have exposure to 3D modeling tools relevant to architectural contexts.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Client Adoration: A core value focused on exceeding client expectations through exceptional service and outstanding design delivery.

• Living-Centered Design: A commitment to creating solutions that are human-centric, sustainable, and positively impact society.

• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (DEI): Fostering an inclusive environment through DEI Council leadership, Employee Resource Groups, and community initiatives.

• Communication and Transparency: Encouraging open dialogue, idea sharing, and proactive problem-solving.

Collaboration Style:

• Multidisciplinary Integration: Working seamlessly with architects, interior designers, engineers, and other project stakeholders.

• Lively Design Critique: Engaging in open, constructive feedback sessions to refine design concepts and elevate quality.

• Proactive Engagement: Encouraging team members to voice ideas and address challenges openly.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "client adoration" and "Living-Centered Design" suggests a culture that is both client-focused and mission-driven. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how their work contributes to these values.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Ambition into Reality: Effectively translating broad client visions and strategic objectives into tangible, aesthetically compelling, and functional experiential graphics within complex built environments.

• Cross-Disciplinary Coordination: Navigating diverse project teams with varying priorities and communication styles to ensure seamless integration of EGD elements.

• Technical Production Oversight: Managing the intricacies of fabrication, material selection, and installation to ensure design intent is realized accurately and cost-effectively.

• Staying Ahead of Trends: Keeping abreast of emerging technologies, materials, and design trends in experiential graphics and the broader built environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Software Training: Opportunities to deepen skills in Revit, SketchUp, and potentially other visualization or project management tools.

• Industry Exposure: Working on high-profile projects across diverse sectors (workplace, healthcare, sports) offers broad industry learning.

• Mentorship: Learning from senior design leaders within the EGD team and other disciplines.

• Design Award Participation: Opportunities to contribute to award submissions, enhancing professional recognition and portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for strong problem-solving, communication, and technical execution skills. Growth opportunities point towards potential for specialization and leadership within the firm.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex client brief you received and how you translated it into a compelling experiential graphic design concept. What was your process from strategy to final output?" (Focus on process, problem-solving, and client alignment.)

• "How do you ensure your experiential graphic designs are integrated effectively with architectural and interior design elements? Provide an example of a successful cross-disciplinary collaboration." (Focus on collaboration, communication, and integration.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How does CannonDesign's 'Living-Centered Design' philosophy resonate with your personal design approach and values?" (Research the philosophy and prepare specific examples.)

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid environment and how you maintain effective collaboration and communication with your team." (Highlight your strategies for remote and in-office teamwork.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or by demonstrating a progression of skills. For each selected project, clearly outline the client objective, your role, the design process, key challenges, and the final outcome.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use high-quality visuals, renderings, mockups, and even brief video clips to illustrate your designs and their application within spaces.

• Narrate the Narrative: Tell a compelling story for each project, highlighting your strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities. Be prepared to articulate the "why" behind your design decisions.

• Demonstrate Technical Proficiency: Be ready to discuss the software and tools you used and how they facilitated your design process, especially regarding 3D integration and production-ready artwork.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on showcasing both creative talent and operational competence—the ability to manage a design project from concept to completion, collaborate effectively, and deliver on client needs within the firm's strategic framework.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Experiential Graphic Designer III position:

• Submit your application directly through the CannonDesign Careers site at http://www.cannondesign.com/careers/?gh_jid=8227597002.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest projects that demonstrate expertise in experiential and environmental graphic design, wayfinding, and 3D applications. Ensure it clearly outlines your process, problem-solving, and impact, tailored to CannonDesign's market sectors.

• Optimize Your Resume: Highlight your 7+ years of experience, specific skills in Adobe Creative Suite, Revit/SketchUp (if applicable), and experience with the full design process from concept to production. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio presentation, focusing on storytelling, strategic rationale, and collaborative contributions. Be ready to discuss your approach to "Living-Centered Design."

• Research CannonDesign: Familiarize yourself with their "Living-Centered Design" philosophy, recent projects, and company values to articulate your alignment during interviews.

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