Midweight Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Midweight Graphic Designer

Company: AtkinsRéalis

Location: Glasgow, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative Operations / Marketing Operations

Date Posted: 2025-09-19

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is instrumental in driving creative excellence within AtkinsRéalis' in-house agency, "Creative Design," focusing on impactful visual communication for engineering, infrastructure, and architectural projects.

• The Graphic Designer will be responsible for conceptualizing and executing design solutions across various mediums, including print, digital, events, VR, and motion graphics, ensuring alignment with client needs and project objectives.

• A key aspect of the role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams, including UX/UI designers, animators, and developers, to deliver integrated, innovative, and multi-discipline solutions.

• The position requires a strong understanding of design principles, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to translate complex information into accessible and engaging visual narratives that add value to client projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Graphic Designer," the description emphasizes collaboration with a global in-house agency and diverse project types (VR, motion graphics, web), suggesting a broader scope that touches on aspects of operations within a creative agency setting. The focus on "transforming the way our clients communicate" and "harnessing outstanding, innovative, and creative talent" points towards a role that supports the operational delivery of creative services.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and support diverse cross-discipline projects, contributing a strong creative vision and ensuring high-quality output.

• Design compelling visuals for a range of outputs including print collateral, event branding, digital platforms, virtual reality experiences, and motion graphics.

• Collaborate closely with UX/UI designers, animators, visualisers, and developers to create integrated and innovative multi-discipline solutions that enhance client engagement.

• Translate complex engineering, infrastructure, and architectural concepts into clear, accessible, and aesthetically pleasing visual communications.

• Develop and implement viable design concepts, leveraging technology to enhance project outcomes and drive efficiencies.

• Effectively communicate design rationale and project proposals to internal stakeholders and external clients, building strong client relationships through thought leadership and problem-solving.

• Push creative boundaries and elevate project quality by challenging existing processes, concepts, and delivery standards.

• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks and ensuring timely delivery within project timelines and budget constraints.

• Stay abreast of emerging design trends, technologies, and best practices to continuously improve the creative output and agency's capabilities.

• Contribute to the development and refinement of the Creative Design team's vision, culture, and operational processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative execution and project support, which are core to the operational delivery of creative services. The emphasis on "cross-discipline projects," "multi-discipline solutions," and "transforming the way our clients communicate" implies a need for strong project management and coordination skills, akin to operational roles within a creative context.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Proven experience as a Graphic Designer, ideally with 2-5 years of professional experience, demonstrating progression to a midweight level.

• Experience working on medium to large-scale, mixed-discipline projects, particularly those involving digital teams and cross-functional collaboration.

Required Skills:

• Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, with a strong emphasis on InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.

• Exceptional layout and typography skills, with a meticulous eye for visual hierarchy and aesthetic balance.

• Excellent organizational skills, with the proven ability to multitask and manage multiple projects concurrently under pressure.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, enabling effective collaboration with internal teams and clear client interaction.

• A demonstrable passion for design, characterized by an outstanding eye for detail and a commitment to producing high-quality work.

• Proactive problem-solving abilities and the capacity to adapt to evolving project requirements and client feedback.

• Ability to build and maintain strong client relationships through creative insight, persuasive communication, and proactive support.

• A driven and passionate attitude, with a commitment to contributing to the vision and culture of the Creative Design team.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with motion graphics software (e.g., Adobe After Effects) and/or 3D visualization tools.

• Familiarity with UX/UI design principles and tools.

• Understanding of web design principles and best practices.

• Experience in client-facing roles within an agency or in-house creative department.

• Ability to work independently and take initiative on projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills are standard for a graphic designer, but the preferred skills and the emphasis on "multi-discipline solutions" and "transforming the way our clients communicate" hint at a need for broader digital design operational understanding. The mention of "leveraging technology" also suggests an awareness of how design integrates with broader technical operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a diverse range of design work, including examples for print, digital, events, and ideally motion graphics or VR applications.

• Highlight projects that demonstrate strong conceptual thinking, problem-solving, and creative execution across different mediums.

• Include case studies that illustrate your involvement in mixed-discipline projects, emphasizing your role in collaboration and integrated solutions.

• Present work that clearly demonstrates your layout and typography skills, as well as your proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite.

• Provide evidence of client interaction and relationship building, showcasing how you've translated client needs into successful design outcomes.

• Demonstrate your ability to manage projects from brief to final delivery, highlighting process and efficiency where applicable.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates may be asked to discuss their design process, from initial brief interpretation and concept development to final asset delivery and stakeholder feedback integration.

• Be prepared to articulate how you ensure quality control and attention to detail throughout the design lifecycle.

• Demonstrate an understanding of how design processes integrate with broader project management and client communication workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated as "operations," the portfolio requirements implicitly ask for demonstration of project lifecycle management, client collaboration processes, and the integration of design with broader project delivery, which are foundational to operational excellence in a creative context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Total Reward Package: AtkinsRéalis offers a tailored package designed to support lifestyle, career, and personal needs.

• Flexible Holidays: Options to manage holiday allowance to suit personal circumstances.

• Life Assurance: Provides financial security for beneficiaries.

• Health & Wellbeing Benefits: Comprehensive support for physical and mental wellbeing, potentially including health insurance, wellness programs, or access to mental health resources.

• Career Planning: Support for professional development and career progression, including guidance for senior stages of career.

• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives: A commitment to a diverse and inclusive community with supportive policies and employee networks.

• Family Friendly Policies: Inclusive employment policies supporting work-life balance.

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Options for flexible working to accommodate various needs.

Working Hours:

• The standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week, reflecting a full-time commitment. While flexibility is mentioned in the benefits, specific daily start/end times are not detailed, suggesting potential for some adaptable scheduling within the standard work week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The estimated salary range is based on typical market rates for a Midweight Graphic Designer in Glasgow, UK, factoring in the company's standing and the role's responsibilities. The benefits are directly pulled from the provided text and contextualized for a professional in this field.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Engineering, Construction, and Consulting Services. AtkinsRéalis is a global leader in these sectors, involved in major infrastructure, transportation, and architectural projects worldwide.

Company Size: Large (part of a global organization with over 85 people in the Creative Design team alone, and significantly more across the entire AtkinsRéalis group). This size offers opportunities for diverse project exposure and cross-functional collaboration.

Founded: AtkinsRéalis has over 100 years of design and engineering expertise. This long history suggests a stable, experienced, and established organizational culture.

Team Structure:

• The "Creative Design" team is an in-house agency comprising over 85 professionals globally.

• This team includes specialists such as UX/UI designers, graphic designers, animators, visualisers, real-time developers, and web developers.

• The Graphic Designer will be part of this multidisciplinary unit, likely reporting to a Creative Director or Design Lead within the agency.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: While not explicitly stated for graphic design, the company's engineering background implies a data-informed approach to problem-solving, which can translate into design research and user-centric methodologies.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: The "Creative Design" team aims to transform client communication, suggesting a focus on efficient and effective workflow processes to deliver innovative solutions.

• Automation & Efficiency Practices: The mention of "leveraging technology in a way that enhances outcomes and creates efficiencies" points to an embrace of technological solutions to streamline creative production and delivery.

Company Website: https://www.atkinsrealis.com/ (and specific project and careers links provided in the job description).

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context highlights a large, established global firm with a significant in-house creative agency. This suggests a structured yet dynamic environment where creative operations are integral to supporting large-scale engineering and infrastructure projects.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a "Midweight" level, indicating a designer who can work independently on projects, contribute creatively, and start taking on more leadership within project teams. It signifies a move beyond junior responsibilities towards greater autonomy and influence.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will likely report to a Senior Designer, Creative Lead, or Design Manager within the "Creative Design" global in-house agency. They will also work closely with project managers and client leads from various AtkinsRéalis business units.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is on enhancing the communication, connection, and engagement of AtkinsRéalis’ projects with their clients. By providing visually compelling and informative design solutions, the designer directly contributes to the perceived value and clarity of complex engineering and infrastructure offerings, influencing client perception and decision-making.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunities to develop expertise in new design disciplines like VR, motion graphics, and advanced digital design through exposure to diverse projects.

• Project Leadership: Potential to lead design aspects of projects, manage junior designers or interns, and take on more client-facing responsibilities.

• Specialization: The ability to specialize within the large Creative Design team, focusing on specific project types (e.g., large-scale infrastructure visualization, digital transformation, event branding).

• Career Progression: A clear path typically exists from Midweight to Senior Designer, Art Director, or Creative Lead roles within the agency, or potential lateral moves into project management or client liaison roles within operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career growth analysis emphasizes the transition from execution to more strategic and leadership-oriented aspects, which is typical for midweight roles. The growth opportunities are framed within the context of expanding operational capabilities within a creative agency.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Glasgow, UK, at "2 Atlantic Square York Street," suggesting a modern, professional office environment typical of large corporate consulting firms.

Office Location(s): Primarily Glasgow, UK. AtkinsRéalis has a global presence, but this specific role is tied to the Glasgow office.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is likely collaborative, with designers working within a larger creative agency alongside other disciplines (UX/UI, animation, development).

• Access to modern design tools, technology, and potentially VR/AR equipment for immersive project work.

• Opportunities for interaction with a diverse global team, fostering a dynamic and inclusive work environment.

Work Schedule:

• Standard working hours are expected to be around 40 hours per week. The "Total Reward" package mentions flexible working arrangements, which may offer some degree of adaptability in daily schedules, though the role is primarily on-site.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is described as a professional office setting within a larger global company structure, emphasizing collaboration and access to technology, which are key operational considerations for creative teams.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of CV and portfolio by HR or a hiring manager to assess basic qualifications and creative fit.

• Portfolio Review & Discussion: A dedicated session to walk through the candidate's portfolio, discussing specific projects, design choices, processes, and outcomes. Expect questions about your role in mixed-discipline projects and client interactions.

• Skills Assessment/Creative Challenge: Potentially a practical design exercise or case study focused on a hypothetical AtkinsRéalis project, assessing creative problem-solving, technical skills (Adobe Suite), and ability to work under pressure.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with members of the Creative Design team and potentially key stakeholders from other departments to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and communication skills.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss career aspirations and overall fit with the company's strategic direction.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-8 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your skills in layout, typography, conceptualization, and diverse mediums (print, digital, motion).

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly outline the brief, your role, the challenges faced, your creative process, the solutions implemented, and the impact/results. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Highlight Collaboration: For mixed-discipline projects, clearly articulate your contribution and how you collaborated with other specialists (e.g., developers, animators).

• Demonstrate Process: Be ready to discuss your workflow, including how you gather requirements, iterate on designs, receive feedback, and ensure quality.

• Showcase Technical Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates your mastery of Adobe Creative Suite tools.

• Tailor to AtkinsRéalis: If possible, include a project that shows an understanding of infrastructure, engineering, or large-scale projects, or explain how your existing work is transferable.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: Research AtkinsRéalis' projects, values, and the types of clients they serve (e.g., government agencies, large corporations).

• Practice Design Thinking: Be prepared to articulate your thought process for solving design problems, focusing on user needs and business objectives.

• Time Management: If given a timed exercise, practice working efficiently and delivering a polished output within the allotted time.

• Presentation Skills: Prepare to present your work concisely and persuasively, highlighting key decisions and outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview and portfolio review guidance is tailored to a creative role that emphasizes project delivery and stakeholder management, highlighting the operational aspects of presenting work and demonstrating process.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Expert proficiency is mandatory, specifically:

  • InDesign: For layout, typography, and print collateral design.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, icons, and complex illustrations.
  • Photoshop: For image manipulation, raster graphics, and digital asset creation.

• Presentation Software: Proficiency in tools like PowerPoint or Keynote for client presentations and internal communication.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Less emphasis on CRM systems for this creative role, but understanding how design assets are managed and distributed within project management or digital asset management (DAM) systems could be advantageous.

• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with tools like Asana, Trello, or Jira for task management and workflow tracking might be helpful given the project-based nature of the work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tool stack is heavily focused on industry-standard design software. The mention of "leveraging technology" and "creating efficiencies" suggests an openness to integrating with broader project management and digital asset management systems, which are operational components of creative delivery.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: A core value driving the team to push boundaries and explore new design approaches.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Emphasis on working together across disciplines and functions to achieve shared goals and deliver integrated solutions.

• Problem-Solving: A proactive approach to identifying and solving design challenges for clients and projects.

• Quality & Detail: A commitment to high standards in all creative output, with a strong focus on perfecting details.

• Client Focus: Dedicated to understanding client needs and delivering value through impactful design solutions.

• Efficiency & Effectiveness: Utilizing technology and optimized processes to enhance outcomes and create efficiencies in creative delivery.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers actively collaborate with UX/UI, animation, developers, and project managers to ensure cohesive and successful project outcomes.

• Process Review & Feedback: An environment that encourages constructive feedback and discussion to refine designs and improve processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture where team members share expertise, best practices, and insights to foster collective growth and elevate the team's capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values and collaboration style highlight a team that is not only creatively driven but also operationally focused on teamwork, process improvement, and client satisfaction, indicative of a well-functioning creative operations unit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Diverse Project Demands: Managing a varied workload across different project types (print, digital, VR, motion) and client needs requires strong organizational and prioritization skills.

• Translating Technical Concepts: Effectively visualizing complex engineering and infrastructure data into understandable and engaging designs.

• Stakeholder Management: Working with diverse stakeholders across a large global organization, each with potentially different expectations and feedback styles.

• Staying Ahead of Technology: Keeping pace with evolving design software, technologies (like VR/AR), and digital trends to ensure cutting-edge solutions.

• Maintaining Creative Vision under Pressure: Delivering high-quality, innovative work within tight deadlines and project constraints.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunities to learn about project management, client relations, and the operational aspects of running a creative agency.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining experience with major clients and prestigious projects in the engineering, infrastructure, and architectural sectors.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Developing an understanding of UX/UI design, animation, and web development by working closely with specialists in these fields.

• Mentorship: Potential to be mentored by senior designers and creative leads within the global team.

• Access to Training: AtkinsRéalis likely offers access to professional development resources, workshops, and potentially industry conferences to enhance skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges and growth opportunities are framed around developing both creative and operational skills within a large, complex organizational structure, emphasizing continuous learning and adaptation.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Tell me about a time you led or significantly contributed to a mixed-discipline project. What was your role, and how did you ensure successful collaboration and integration?" (Focus on teamwork, process, and your specific contributions to cohesive delivery).

• "Describe your process for translating complex technical information into a clear and compelling visual design. Can you provide an example from your portfolio?" (Highlight your problem-solving approach, research skills, and ability to simplify information).

• "How do you approach client communication and manage feedback to ensure project success and build strong relationships?" (Emphasize your client-facing skills, adaptability, and proactive communication strategies).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in working for AtkinsRéalis and our Creative Design team specifically?" (Research the company's mission, values, and recent projects. Connect your passion to their work).

• "How do you contribute to a team environment, and what is your preferred collaboration style?" (Align your response with the company's emphasis on teamwork and diversity).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your digital portfolio logically, with a clear introduction, project sections, and contact information. For presentations, use a clean, branded template.

• Narrative: For each project, focus on telling a story: the problem, your solution, the process, and the outcome. Quantify impact whenever possible (e.g., "increased engagement by X%", "simplified complex data for Y audience").

• Highlight Collaboration: Explicitly mention your role in team projects and how you interacted with other disciplines.

• Technical Proficiency: Be ready to discuss the specific tools and techniques you used.

• Conciseness: Practice presenting your key projects within a limited timeframe (e.g., 10-15 minutes for a portfolio review). Prepare to elaborate on specific pieces if asked.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation focuses on demonstrating not just creative skill but also the operational competencies expected of a midweight designer, such as project leadership, client management, and process understanding.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your online or PDF portfolio to prominently feature projects that demonstrate your expertise in layout, typography, Adobe Creative Suite proficiency, and experience with mixed-discipline projects. Tailor your selection to highlight any relevant work in infrastructure, engineering, or large-scale projects if available.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your years of experience, specific skills (especially Adobe Creative Suite), and achievements in previous roles. Use keywords from the job description such as "multi-discipline," "creative solutions," "stakeholder management," and "project delivery."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, how you handle feedback, and your contributions to team projects. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions related to collaboration, problem-solving, and client interaction. Rehearse presenting your portfolio concisely and effectively.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with AtkinsRéalis' recent projects, their commitment to diversity and inclusion, and their overall mission. Understand the scope of their engineering and infrastructure work to better contextualize your creative contributions.

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

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