Lead Wayfinding Designer
San Francisco
Full-time
A creative and experienced wayfinding designer with a passion for user-centered design processes and systems design.
We are a multi-disciplinary team of strategists and designers with a global reputation for improving the experience of cities, transit systems, airports, and destinations. This is a new role with scope to lead and contribute to many high-profile and innovative projects.
You will be working with a highly experienced design team with exceptional creative, technical, and operational expertise. We foster a dynamic and collaborative environment, where curiosity, innovation and design excellence are encouraged.
With a growing client-base in San Francisco and Los Angeles, this role provides opportunities to contribute to a number of high-profile projects.
Key responsibilities
Lead day-to-day communications with client team, stakeholders and partners
Lead on key stages of wayfinding projects from research, strategy, systems architecture and systems design
Develop and visualize wayfinding design concepts including; wayfinding system, service and product concepts
Conduct information planning, including; naming, content and messsaging, location and network planning, location and placement
Develop information design solutions and graphic set-outs including; cartographic elements, maps, diagrams, and pictograms
Conduct user testing and prototyping
Create artworks for physical, print, and digital products ready for production
Attend meetings with clients and project collaborators including engineers, architects, and fabricators
Present work to internal teams, project collaborators and client team
Support the effective management of projects
Develop and build client relationships
Report project progress to Project Leads and Senior Management
Manage budgets, schedules and deadlines
About the role
We are seeking an experienced, dedicated, and self-motivated Lead Wayfinding Designer with 8+ years of industry experience to join our growing team in San Francisco.
In particular, we would like to meet candidates that have experience of complex wayfinding projects, systems thinking, and design of creative, user-centered solutions.
As part of this role, you will be working with, overseeing and delegating to Designers and Junior Designers under the direction of Project Leads in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and the UK.
A willingness to travel is necessary.
Project responsibilities
Provide strategic direction and guidance to the project team
Lead on key aspects of the project: from research, ideation, and conceptualization, to detailed design, planning, and implementation
Initiate and conduct necessary client meetings and workshops
Initiate and conduct necessary site surveys and on-site analysis
Oversee the development and visualization of design concepts
Oversee and support system design and planning activities
Support narrative development for presentations, documentation, and other project outputs
Support user research, testing, and prototyping activities
Provide quality assurance and approvals for draft and final outputs
Present project updates to clients and project collaborators, including engineers, architects, designers and fabricators
What we are looking for
Passion for developing innovative wayfinding design solutions that improve people’s everyday experience of places
Degree level qualification/s in Graphic Design/Visual Communication/related field or equivalent work experience
Experience of developing and delivering wayfinding systems and design standards in complex environments
Strong people-skills and an ability to lead and mentor other team members
Desire and enthusiasm to learn new skills and progress as a senior wayfinding designer and project leader.
Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Illustrator and InDesign
Ability to use the Microsoft Office suite of programs
Excellent written, verbal and visual communication skills
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Knowledge of GIS and/or Interface Design software would be advantageous
What we can offer you
Salary range of $100 – $135k, tailored to experience
Opportunities for ongoing professional development and progression
Hybrid working culture with a minimum of three days per week at City ID office in Downtown San Francisco
37.5 hour working week (minimum)
15 days annual leave + 1 additional day for every year to a maximum of 20 days
8 U.S. public holidays of your choosing
40 hours of paid sick leave – accrual method in line with California State Law
Platinum level health cover
401(k) retirement plan
Access to ongoing professional development
Casual smart dress is business as usual
Apple laptop for remote and studio use
Please note, for this role we can only consider candidates
who are authorized to work in the U.S.
Management responsibilities
Conduct weekly project management meetings with the client team
Update project management tools such as schedules, resource allocation, and forecasts
Report weekly to Senior Management Team
Support San Francisco team development and annual review process
Track project hours and collate time sheets for invoicing
Prepare and issue monthly invoices
To apply
Please email a Cover Letter, resume, and portfolio (if applicable) to info@cityid.com with Lead Wayfinding Designer, San Francisco as the subject.
We look forward to hearing from you.
City ID is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to ensuring all employees and qualified applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. If you are interested but unsure if you have what we are looking for please contact us.