Branded Environments - Graphic Designer I

Perkins&Will • Chicago, IL

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Perkins&Will is seeking a curious, creative, and detail-oriented Branded Environments Graphic Designer I to join its Branded Environments team in Chicago. In this hybrid role, the designer collaborates with designers and other creative professionals to develop environmental graphics, signage, wayfinding, and engaging experiences within the built environment. This is a dedicated position within the Branded Environments practice, not an architectural or interior design position or a pathway into those disciplines. Professional growth and career development will take place within the Branded Environments practice. The role contributes to projects from early concepts through design development and production, with opportunities to strengthen creative and technical skills.

The designer helps bring brands and stories to life by developing design concepts, visual storytelling, color palettes, strategies, layouts, drawings, diagrams, presentation materials, models, and other visual assets. The work also involves research, material exploration, design documentation, detailing, production files, site visits, existing-condition assessments, field measurements, design reviews, and coordination with project partners. The role calls for care in reviewing work for accuracy, clarity, consistency, and alignment with project goals, quality standards, and documentation practices.

The position requires a degree in graphic design, interior design, architecture, or a related design discipline; foundational graphic design knowledge; familiarity with environmental graphic design; and working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. Approximately 1–3 years of relevant experience is preferred, as is exposure to production artwork, material research, fabrication, documentation, and visualization or modeling tools. The annual salary range at the time of posting is $55,000–$65,000, commensurate with qualifications.

Requirements

• A degree in graphic design, interior design, architecture, or a related design discipline.
• Foundational knowledge of graphic design principles, including typography, color, composition, scale, proportion, and visual storytelling.
• Familiarity with environmental graphic design concepts, including branding, signage, wayfinding, and the relationship between graphics and physical spaces.
• Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop, and the ability to use digital tools to communicate design ideas.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to collaborate, communicate effectively, and contribute to multiple project activities.
• Willingness to learn new tools, explore creative approaches, and develop technical knowledge related to branded environments and design production.

Nice To Haves

• Approximately 1–3 years of relevant experience in environmental graphic design, experiential design, graphic design, branded environments, or a related creative discipline; relevant project work and transferable experience are welcome.
• Experience with or exposure to production artwork, material research, fabrication processes, and design documentation.
• Experience with tools such as Revit, Rhino, Grasshopper, Enscape, V-Ray, Vectorworks, or other visualization and modeling software.
• Relevant professional accreditations.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with project teams to develop branded-environment solutions that connect people, places, and stories.
• Support development of environmental graphics, signage, wayfinding, and other branded elements that integrate with the built environment.
• Contribute design concepts, visual storytelling, color palettes, design strategies, and graphic layouts.
• Create and refine design drawings, diagrams, presentation materials, models, and other visual assets for internal teams and clients.
• Assist with research, material exploration, design documentation, detailing, and production files to translate concepts into built experiences.
• Participate in site visits, existing-condition assessments, field measurements, design reviews, and team discussions.
• Coordinate with designers and project partners on documentation, specifications, production requirements, and implementation.
• Review work for accuracy, clarity, consistency, and alignment with project goals, quality standards, and documentation practices.
• Proactively ask questions, share ideas, and develop design expertise while contributing a curious, creative, and collaborative approach.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level