Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Whitman, Requardt & Associates, LLP

Location: Baltimore, MD, US

Job Type: Full Time

Category: Graphic Design / Visual Communications

Date Posted: 2026-05-08T11:45:00

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Develop high-quality graphic deliverables for architecture and engineering projects, translating complex technical information into clear visual communications.

• Create compelling marketing and proposal materials that adhere to established brand standards and effectively communicate the firm's capabilities.

• Manage multiple concurrent design projects, ensuring consistent graphic quality and timely delivery within a fast-paced environment.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including architects, engineers, planners, and marketing staff, to achieve project objectives.

• Maintain a strong understanding of typography, layout, color theory, and composition to produce visually impactful designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical for translating complex architectural and engineering concepts into accessible visual formats for both internal project teams and external stakeholders. The emphasis on an architecture or engineering firm background suggests a need for designers who can quickly grasp technical subject matter and represent it accurately.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with architects, engineers, planners, and marketing staff to develop high-quality graphic deliverables.

• Communicate design intent through the visual development of site plans, floor plans, elevations, diagrams, and conceptual graphics.

• Produce marketing and proposal materials, reports, and presentations that align with WRA’s brand standards.

• Maintain graphic consistency across multiple project types, disciplines, and deliverables, ensuring a unified brand identity.

• Manage multiple concurrent projects while meeting deadlines in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, requiring strong project management and organizational skills.

• Support the creation of visually engaging content for proposals, presentations, and marketing collateral.

• Ensure all visual assets are optimized for various media, from print to digital platforms.

• Assist in the development and maintenance of graphic templates and style guides to ensure brand consistency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on technical visualization (plans, diagrams) and marketing collateral. The "Lead Graphic Designer" title implies a degree of autonomy and responsibility for guiding design output for projects, rather than solely executing tasks.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related discipline.

Experience: 5+ years of professional graphic design experience, with a strong preference for experience within an architecture, engineering, or multidisciplinary design firm.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint for presentation design.

• Strong understanding of typography, layout, color theory, and composition principles.

• Ability to create compelling visual representations of technical information, such as site plans, floor plans, elevations, and diagrams.

• Experience developing and adhering to brand standards for marketing and proposal materials.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective collaboration and stakeholder interaction.

• Strong organizational skills, including meticulous file management and version control practices.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with video editing software such as Premiere.

• Familiarity with motion graphics software like After Effects.

• Proficiency in 3D modeling software such as 3ds Max or SketchUp.

• Experience with CADD software (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit) to understand and integrate with technical drawings.

• Experience in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The preference for experience in an A/E/C firm (Architecture, Engineering, Construction) is a significant differentiator. Candidates with this background will likely have a stronger understanding of the visual language and project lifecycle specific to this industry, making them more immediately effective.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a range of design projects, demonstrating proficiency in typography, layout, and color theory.

• Specific examples of visual communication for technical subjects, such as architectural plans, engineering diagrams, or conceptual graphics.

• Samples of marketing and proposal materials, highlighting ability to adhere to brand guidelines and create compelling narratives.

• Evidence of project management skills, including managing multiple deliverables and meeting deadlines.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrations of file management and version control strategies, crucial for managing multiple project assets and revisions.

• Examples of how design processes were integrated with architectural or engineering workflows to ensure seamless collaboration and output.

• Case studies or project examples that illustrate the process of translating client needs or technical data into effective visual solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirement is critical for this role. Candidates should prepare to showcase not just aesthetic skills but also their ability to interpret and visualize technical data, manage brand consistency, and work within project constraints typical of an engineering firm. The file size limit suggests a need for concise and impactful presentations.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $85,000 - $110,000 annually. This range is a good faith estimate and may vary based on candidate qualifications, experience, location, and other factors.

Benefits:

• Flexible work schedule options

• Competitive salary

• Leave accrual and paid holidays

• Comprehensive healthcare benefits

• Group Life Insurance, with optional additional life insurance

• Short-term and long-term disability insurance

• Flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care reimbursement

• 401(k) Retirement Plan

• Tuition Reimbursement for continued education

• Employee Assistance Program for personal support

• Parental and maternity leave benefits

Working Hours: Full-time position, likely with standard business hours, but with flexibility and the potential for overtime as needed to support project deadlines. The mention of "flexible work schedule options" suggests some degree of autonomy in managing daily hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specified salary range is competitive for a Graphic Designer with 5+ years of experience, particularly in a specialized industry like architecture and engineering. The comprehensive benefits package indicates a strong commitment to employee well-being and professional development. The mention of "flexible work schedule options" could be a key differentiator for candidates seeking work-life balance, though the "Onsite" status and potential for overtime should also be considered.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Architecture and Engineering (A/E) Services. Whitman, Requardt & Associates, LLP (WRA) has a long-standing reputation, over 110 years in business, known for quality work and employees. The company slogan "People Focused and Project Driven" indicates a culture that values both employee well-being and project success.

Company Size: Whitman, Requardt & Associates, LLP is a significant firm, indicated by its extensive benefits package and the scope of its operations. While exact employee numbers aren't provided here, firms of this longevity and service breadth typically employ hundreds to thousands of professionals across multiple disciplines and locations.

Founded: Over 110 years ago, signifying a stable, experienced, and established organization with a deep understanding of its industry.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of a team supporting architecture and engineering departments.

• This role involves close collaboration with architects, engineers, planners, and marketing staff, suggesting a matrixed or project-based team structure.

• The designer will likely report into a design or marketing leadership role, with direct accountabilities to project managers or discipline leads.

Methodology:

• Data-driven approach to design, translating technical data into visual information.

• Emphasis on quality and precision in deliverables, reflecting the standards of the A/E industry.

• Workflow planning and optimization to manage multiple concurrent projects efficiently.

• Collaboration and feedback loops to ensure design intent is accurately conveyed and meets project objectives.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: WRA's long history and stated values ("People Focused and Project Driven") suggest a stable, professional environment that values expertise and employee contributions. The graphic designer will be integrated into project teams, requiring an understanding of the A/E project lifecycle and the ability to communicate effectively with technical professionals.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-to-senior level Graphic Designer, potentially a "Lead" in title, indicating significant responsibility for project design output and potentially guiding junior designers or contributing to design strategy. The requirement of 5+ years of experience supports this.

Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report to a Design Manager, Marketing Director, or a Principal within a relevant department. They will work closely with project managers and technical leads across various architecture and engineering disciplines.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's role is crucial for enhancing the clarity and appeal of project proposals, reports, and presentations. Their work directly impacts the firm's ability to win new business by effectively communicating complex ideas and showcasing the firm's expertise. High-quality visuals can differentiate WRA from competitors and reinforce its brand image.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in graphic design for the A/E industry, becoming a subject matter expert in technical visualization.

• Leadership: Progress to a Senior Graphic Designer or Design Lead role, potentially managing a small team or overseeing design initiatives for major projects.

• Skill Expansion: Develop proficiency in preferred software (Premiere, After Effects, 3D modeling) to broaden service offerings and take on more complex visual projects.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gain deeper insights into architecture and engineering processes, enhancing the ability to contribute more strategically to project teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not a traditional "operations" role in the sense of RevOps or SalesOps, this position is integral to the operational success of a professional services firm by supporting business development and project delivery through effective visual communication. Growth opportunities are tied to expanding design expertise and taking on more project leadership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is explicitly listed as "On-site" and requires working from the Baltimore office. This suggests a traditional office environment where face-to-face collaboration is essential.

Office Location(s): Baltimore, MD (21231). This location is within a major metropolitan area known for its infrastructure and engineering projects, potentially offering interesting work contexts.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely be a professional office setting, possibly with dedicated design stations equipped with necessary hardware and software.

• Collaboration will be a key aspect, involving regular interaction with architects, engineers, and marketing professionals within the office.

• Access to industry-standard design software and potentially CAD/3D modeling tools will be provided.

• The environment is described as "fast-paced" and "collaborative," indicating a dynamic workplace.

Work Schedule: While a full-time role, the mention of "Flexible work schedule options" and "Flexibility to work overtime as needed" suggests a balance between structured work hours and the need to accommodate project deadlines. Standard business hours are likely the default, with the expectation of occasional extended hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement emphasizes the importance of in-person collaboration and integration with the broader WRA team. Candidates should be prepared for a typical professional services office environment, with opportunities for direct interaction with technical experts.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and design capabilities.

• Technical Interview: Discussion focused on design skills, software proficiency, and experience with A/E specific visuals. Candidates may be asked to walk through their portfolio.

• Behavioral/Team Fit Interview: Assessment of collaboration skills, problem-solving approach, and cultural alignment with WRA's values ("People Focused and Project Driven").

• Potential Design Challenge: A small design task or case study may be presented to evaluate problem-solving and design execution under time constraints.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Effectively: Select your strongest, most relevant work. For this role, prioritize examples that showcase technical visualization, marketing collateral, and brand consistency.

• Tell a Story: For each project, briefly explain the challenge, your role, the process, and the outcome. Highlight how your design solutions met project objectives.

• Highlight Technical Graphics: Showcase your ability to interpret and visualize site plans, floor plans, diagrams, and conceptual graphics clearly and accurately.

• Demonstrate Brand Adherence: Include examples where you successfully applied or developed brand guidelines for proposals and marketing materials.

• Keep it Concise: Adhere to the 5MB file size limit. Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and visually appealing.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand A/E Visuals: Familiarize yourself with common graphics used in architectural and engineering proposals and reports (e.g., site plans, cross-sections, process diagrams).

• Practice Translating Concepts: Be ready to explain how you would visually represent a complex engineering concept or architectural feature.

• Brand Consistency: Be prepared to discuss how you would ensure consistent branding across various project deliverables.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role. Candidates should meticulously select projects that demonstrate technical visualization skills, brand adherence, and effective communication within a project context. The 5MB limit requires careful curation and optimization of assets.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign are essential.

• Microsoft PowerPoint: Required for presentation design and integration with other office documents.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

Preferred Software:

• Video Editing: Premiere, After Effects for dynamic content.

• 3D Modeling: 3ds Max, SketchUp for conceptual visualizations.

• CADD Software: AutoCAD, Revit (understanding rather than direct proficiency) to better integrate with technical drawings.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and PowerPoint is a baseline requirement. Familiarity with video and 3D software, and an understanding of CADD outputs, will significantly enhance a candidate's profile and ability to contribute to more complex visual projects.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• People Focused: Emphasizes valuing employees and fostering a supportive work environment, as evidenced by the comprehensive benefits package and mention of parental leave.

• Project Driven: Highlights a commitment to delivering high-quality work and achieving project success, requiring dedication and precision from team members.

• Quality Work: A core tenet, suggesting meticulous attention to detail and a high standard for all deliverables, including graphic design.

• Collaboration: Essential for success, requiring open communication and teamwork across disciplines.

• Integrity & Professionalism: Implied by the company's long history and reputation in the A/E industry.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires seamless collaboration with architects, engineers, planners, and marketing staff, demanding strong communication and the ability to translate between technical and visual language.

• Feedback-Oriented: Expect a culture where design concepts are reviewed and refined through constructive feedback from project teams and stakeholders.

• Teamwork: A strong emphasis on working together to achieve shared project goals, with a "team-oriented mindset" being a key requirement.

📝 Enhancement Note: WRA's culture appears to balance a strong work ethic focused on project delivery with a genuine concern for its employees' well-being. The graphic designer needs to be comfortable working within a highly collaborative, cross-functional environment where technical expertise meets creative output.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Technical Jargon: Effectively visualizing complex architectural and engineering concepts for diverse audiences can be challenging.

• Brand Consistency Across Disciplines: Maintaining a unified brand identity across a wide range of project types and technical inputs requires diligence.

• Fast-Paced Environment & Deadlines: Managing multiple concurrent projects with tight deadlines requires excellent time management and prioritization skills.

• Adapting to Evolving Software: Staying current with design software and technologies, especially integrating with A/E-specific tools.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• A/E Industry Expertise: Gain in-depth knowledge of the architecture and engineering project lifecycle and visual communication needs.

• Advanced Software Skills: Develop proficiency in preferred software like Premiere, After Effects, or 3D modeling tools.

• Technical Visualization: Enhance skills in creating impactful diagrams, plans, and conceptual graphics for technical subjects.

• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Improve communication and workflow integration with technical teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge will be bridging the gap between technical engineering/architectural concepts and compelling visual design. Growth opportunities are strongly tied to becoming a specialized designer within the A/E sector and expanding technical software proficiencies.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex architectural or engineering concept you had to visualize. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your thought process, software used, and the impact of your design.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across various types of deliverables for a large firm like WRA?" (Highlight your understanding of brand guidelines and experience managing them.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Whitman, Requardt & Associates, LLP and our work?" (Research their projects, values, and recent news.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with engineers and architects who may have different priorities or communication styles?" (Emphasize your adaptability, listening skills, and ability to find common ground.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Relevance: Prioritize projects that demonstrate your ability to work with technical information and create marketing/proposal materials.

• Highlight Process: Explain your design thinking, not just the final output. How did you arrive at your solution?

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If a design contributed to winning a proposal or improving clarity, mention it.

• Technical Graphics Emphasis: Dedicate specific slides or sections to your ability to create clear and compelling site plans, diagrams, and conceptual graphics.

• Adhere to Constraints: Ensure your digital portfolio is under 5MB and professionally presented.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should heavily focus on demonstrating an understanding of the A/E industry's visual communication needs and showcasing a portfolio that directly addresses these requirements. Practicing explanations of design decisions and collaborative experiences will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this graphic design position:

• Submit your application through the ADP portal, ensuring all required fields are completed accurately.

• Portfolio Preparation: Curate a portfolio that specifically highlights your experience in creating visual communications for technical subjects (e.g., architectural plans, engineering diagrams) and marketing collateral. Ensure it adheres to the 5MB file size limit and is easily navigable.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 5+ years of graphic design experience, specifically mentioning any work within architecture, engineering, or design firms. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Software Proficiency Showcase: Clearly list your proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and PowerPoint, and any experience with preferred software like Premiere, After Effects, or 3D modeling tools.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Whitman, Requardt & Associates, LLP's projects, mission ("People Focused and Project Driven"), and industry. Be prepared to discuss how your skills align with their values and client needs.

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