Branded Environments - Experienced Graphic Designer

About The Role At Perkins&Will, we believe that design has the power to connect people, communicate ideas, and create meaningful experiences. We're looking for a Branded Environments Designer to join our Chicago studio and help bring brands and stories to life through thoughtful, engaging design within the built environment.

Branded Environments Designer

Location: Chicago, IL

Work Arrangement: Hybrid

About The Role At Perkins&Will, we believe that design has the power to connect people, communicate ideas, and create meaningful experiences. We're looking for a Branded Environments Designer to join our Chicago studio and help bring brands and stories to life through thoughtful, engaging design within the built environment. In this role, you'll lead the creative development and execution of branded environments, integrating environmental graphics, signage, way finding, brand identity, and storytelling with architecture and interior design.

You'll collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, guide projects from initial concept through implementation, build strong client relationships, and mentor fellow designers. We're looking for someone who combines creative vision, technical expertise, and collaborative leadership to deliver compelling, integrated design solutions.

What You'll Do

• Lead creative design solutions for branded environments, integrating brand strategy, storytelling, environmental graphics, signage, way finding, and architectural elements into cohesive experiences.
• Guide projects through all phases of design, from research, conceptual development, and programming through design documentation, technical coordination, and implementation.
• Develop and communicate design concepts using compelling visual presentations, graphics, material selections, and storytelling strategies that reflect client goals and project objectives.
• Collaborate across disciplines with architects, interior designers, consultants, and project teams to seamlessly integrate branded environments into the built environment.
• Lead client presentations and engagement, communicating design intent, facilitating feedback, nurturing relationships, and contributing to marketing and business development efforts.
• Mentor and inspire team members, providing creative direction, participating in design reviews, and fostering collaboration, innovation, and design excellence.
• Oversee technical design development and production, including specifications, detailing, production artwork, vendor coordination, and construction documentation.
• Coordinate with contractors, vendors, consultants, and project partners to support design quality, technical accuracy, constructability, and alignment with project schedules and budgets.
• Support site analysis and project execution, including existing-condition assessments, field measurements, material research, and consideration of applicable codes, accessibility, and project delivery standards.

What You'll Bring

Required Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of branded environments, environmental graphic design, brand strategy, visual storytelling, signage, and way finding, with the ability to integrate these elements into architectural and interior environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead creative design development, communicate design concepts, prepare presentations, and guide projects through documentation and implementation.
• Working knowledge of architectural and interior design processes, including site analysis, building codes, life safety considerations, specifications, construction documentation, and coordination.
• Experience with environmental graphic production, including materials research, detailing, specifications, production artwork, and coordination with vendors and fabricators.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and leadership skills, with the ability to guide multidisciplinary teams, engage clients, and mentor fellow designers.
• Functional knowledge of 2D and 3D design production software, intermediate Revit skills, and proficiency with relevant design, presentation, and visualization tools, including Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office.

Preferred Qualifications

• Approximately 8-10+ years of relevant professional design experience, or a comparable combination of experience and demonstrated capabilities in branded environments, environmental graphic design, interior architecture, or related disciplines.
• Experience with tools and workflows such as Rhino, Grasshopper, Enscape, V-Ray, InDesign, Photoshop, 3D printing, laser cutting, and…