Graphic Designer - Signage & Wayfinding - Graduate

Graphic Designer I - Signage & Wayfinding - 2026 Graduate

Join to apply for the Graphic Designer I - Signage & Wayfinding - 2026 Graduate role at Populous

Location: Kansas City, MO

Interviews will begin on a rolling basis starting in January. Applications will close when positions are filled or March 13th, whichever occurs first. Please visit  to learn more about our Americas New Grad Program, our process and FAQ.

We design places where people love to be together. Populous is a global design firm that began with a singular focus: to draw people together around the things they love, through experiences that capture all the senses, amplifying the atmosphere of excitement and pure joy shared in human moments. We’ve designed and delivered some of the world's most memorable civic, sports and entertainment buildings, from iconic stadia to groundbreaking live music venues.

Populous is where architects and designers of all kinds create moments bigger than ourselves. We offer the best of both worlds: the resources and impact of the design giants and the tightly knit atmosphere and growth opportunities of smaller firms.

Professional & Personal Development Programs + Summer Hours + Hybrid Schedule + Paid Licensure & Certifications Exams + Wedding Pay + Charitable Match Program + Market Leading Wellness Health and Welfare Benefits.

The preferred candidate will have an interest in working in a dynamic and collaborative global design environment with a diverse range of public assembly building types; including the design of sports venues, convention centers, community buildings and transportation facilities. We are seeking May 2026 graduates who would be interested in joining Populous. We are seeking students that are passionate about pushing the threshold of design and can work in the Kansas City office with our Brand Activation team.

• Create impactful signage and way finding design systems for high profile national and international client brands that include the corporate, entertainment, hospitality, collegiate and sports markets.
• Conceptualize and design signage systems that celebrate typography, brand, and 3D form to clearly communicate information and make navigation easy.
• Through close collaboration with clients, discover opportunities to amplify the character of a place, conveying the brand’s identity in imaginative and compelling ways within venues and facilities.
• Collaborate with graphic designers, way finding planners, detailers, interior designers and architects.
• Manage construction documents and large bodies of information for projects from concept through fabrication and installation.
• Research, design, and implementation of user-centered way finding systems for complex places that make navigation easy.

• Exceptional branding and experiential graphic design sensibilities.
• Demonstrates the ability to push innovation, solve problems creatively and engage in a dynamic collaborative design environment.
• Detail oriented, learns quickly and adapts to new responsibilities.
• Understands how to read architectural plans, elevations and details.
• Proven experience managing multiple projects simultaneously and staying on schedule.
• Desire to work collaboratively with architects, interior designers, and planners. We believe that successful place‑making demands and integrated analysis across many disciplines.
• Strong work ethic, with demonstrated efficiency, flexibility and a positive spirit.
• Strong communication and presentation abilities.
• High level of proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Acrobat), and MS Office required.
• Focused on the future and bringing to life amazing projects within a dynamic company culture.

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design preferred.

• Travel may be required.
• Overtime may be necessary.

Populous offers a competitive salary and bonus packages. We strive to offer our staff the best benefits package in the industry, at the lowest cost to employees, including medical, dental and vision coverage, 401k, FSA/HSA, paid time off and continuing…