Who is design for? At hcma, we’re asking big questions about how we can help solve some of the world’s wicked challenges, through design. We create buildings, brands and shared experiences that connect people – all driven by a genuine spirit of curiosity and care.
We are interdisciplinary by intention. Designers, architects, researchers, strategists and others, all working together to create the lasting change we want to see in our communities.
And that’s where (we hope!) you come in.
Who is this person?
Are you creative designer eager to make their mark in environmental graphic design? Our Communication Design Team is focused on all aspects of environmental graphic design, wayfinding, and signage for built-environment projects.
As an Environmental Graphic Designer, you will develop and present concepts for wayfinding projects. Your designs will be informed by a sound understanding of fabrication techniques, material and cost; and deliver production documents to tender and implementation.
The nature of this works requires close collaboration with both the wider Communication Design team and architectural teams. When working on an architectural lead project, integrating oneself as part of that team is key to the quality of the work and success of communication and presentation of work.
As a member or the Communication Design Team, you will be expected to ensure your work aligns with the firm's graphic design sensibilities. You should strive to deliver high quality design work that results in the greatest positive social impact for end users.
What will they do?
- Participate in needs assessment, research, and auditing existing sites;
- Collaborate with both communication designers and architectural project team to help define design strategies;
- Develop concept narratives, designing wayfinding and signage systems, and placemaking identities (if requested)
- Design graphics for signage systems such as pictograms, supergraphics, graphic patterns
- Create and deliver concept and design presentations to both internal project teams and externally to clients (when requested) in a clear, thorough, and professional manner;
- Define graphic standards and contributing to style guides;
- Produce fabrication-ready artwork files;
- Contribute to the writing of technical specifications and requirements;
- Review shop drawings by cross-referencing tender documents, to ensure the design intent has been met;
- Conduct site/ shop visits (if required);
- Engage vendors for costing research and quoting;
- Keep up to date with the firm's impact goals, trends, and best practices to ensure environmental graphics are continually meeting these goals, where necessary;
- Work to achieve client needs, championing best practices (especially in inclusivity, accessibility, and sustainability);
- Collaborate with key architecture and communication project staff to develop message schedules and drawing sets to include specifications, material selection, details and locations for designed elements;
- Incorporate these designs into architectural drawing sets or separate packages that include specifications, material selection, details and locations for designed elements
- Contribute to design work on other communication design projects (e.g. brand design & collateral) if required
What experience will they have?
- Degree in Communication Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Industrial Design, Architecture or similar.
- 1-3+ years' of environmental graphic design experience taking projects from schematic design through to construction ready documents relating to environmental design, signage and wayfinding.
- Creative flair and a strong level of environmental graphic design;
- A passion for continuous learning and improvement in your craft;
- An eye for design excellence - you keep up with design trends technically and are curious about what is next
- Proficiency in reading architectural plans and designing to scale.
- Expert-level knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite.
Salary range: $50,000 - $65,000
Intrigued? Get in touch. If you are interested in this opportunity in Vancouver, please email careers@hcma.ca with your portfolio and a statement telling us why you think you’re a good fit for this role and our team.
We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require accommodations or support to submit your application, please reach out to us at careers@hcma.ca or call 604 732 6620. We’re happy to help.
