Designer

Color Art brings industry-leading knowledge to integrate people and space in productive work environments that foster creation, collaboration and connection. For more than 75 years, Color Art has been serving the St. Louis metropolitan area and has earned a reputation synonymous with value, service and integrity. As one of the nation's leading Steelcase dealers, we have access to data and insights from around the world and pride ourselves on the knowledge we bring to every relationship. We offer customers insight, advice and solutions that help their businesses grow and companies succeed.

DESCRIPTION

Provide design services including but not limited to programming, space planning, budgeting, strategic product application & selection, typical development, finish selection, working/installation drawings, and final specifications. Commit to creating high quality project deliverables and a high level of internal and external customer service. Creatively solves design problems and provides design consultation with both the project team and the customer. Is proactive in understanding the project scope, project deliverables, and understanding the overall timeline.

OBJECTIVES OF THIS ROLE

• Ownership of Design Process
• Knowledge Consultant & Critical Thinker
• Ownership of Departmental Practices

RESPONSIBILITIES

Ownership of Design Process

• Review design service request; acknowledges receipt and dead line; raises concerns if necessary
• Capability to create generic thought starters and create or give direction for conceptual applications or layouts
• Participates in client meetings and internal team meetings throughout the life of the project
• Capability to implement live design process during customer meetings
• Assumes 100% responsibility for notes and information gathered in all project meetings
• Manage H/L budget to meet client expectations throughout the course of the project
• Ability to stay on track of the timeline thru milestones and deadlines
• Develops block and space plans; gains customer approvals
• Develops finished working drawings for specifications and installation; validates plans against construction, electrical engineering, and A&D drawings; validates compliance to building and ADA codes
• Lays out electrical/data locations for specified product
• Creates 3D drawings, elevation, and renderings that illustrate the potential of the design to help sell the proposed furniture to the client
• Develops furniture finish package to coordinate with architectural finishes; gains customer approvals
• Obtains COM availability and approvals
• Prepares validation package and organizes deliverables in a clear and presentable manner; gains customer approvals
• Obtains quotes from manufacturer reps for unsupported product; list, discounting, freight/surcharges, upcoming price increases, lead times, and warranty
• Assists in obtaining installation quotes
• Develops product specifications in CET; double checks drawings and specifications with team member; prepare specifications thru quoting
• Works with account manager and coordinator to apply appropriate discounting, GP, contract pricing, freight, installation, and any miscellaneous charges
• Manages changes and revisions, and organizes drawing files accordingly
• Conducts field measures and punch list review with account manager and project manager when applicable
• Act as project manager on small to medium size jobs when applicable
• Actively tracks and logs design hours for the life of the project and can evaluate past records to estimate hours needed for future projects

Knowledge Consultant & Critical Thinker

• Maintain an overall understanding of current market trends
• Maintain knowledge of manufacturer partner capabilities and portfolio
• Working knowledge of contract furniture, building codes, ADA regulations, Electrical Code, etc.
• Ability to facilitate a showroom tour
• Promotes Color Art's value proposition
• Solution focused and strategic project solver
• Keeping not only project focus but always having larger client long term focus; overall customer experience

Ownership of Departmental Practices

• Maintains detailed and extensive project documentation, including records of all key decisions, phone conversations, approvals and sign-offs, and notes from project meetings
• Manages adherence to deadlines and quality of design work and specifications
• Stays current on product updates, discontinuations, trends and new releases, technology, industry events, and market needs
• Communicates effectively and collaborates with internal project team
• Shares "lessons learned" with functional team to enhance knowledge amongst the group
• Effectively self-manages workload, deliverables, and deadlines
• Engages in the project from start to finish, offering design consultation throughout the life of the project while meeting deadlines and timelines

SKILLS / QUALIFICATIONS

• Proactive and professional communication
• Highly collaborative and relationship-focused
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Critical-thinking and problem solving
• Able to pivot quickly with shifting demands
• Ability to provide the highest level of customer satisfaction
• Ability to create and develop presentation materials
• Computer literate with proficiency in AutoCAD, CAP 2020, CET, & Microsoft Office

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• Design degree from a 4 year college or university
• 3-5 years contract furniture experience- dealer experience preferred

Color Art is a drug-free workplace. Color Art is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran or status as a qualified individual with a disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable Federal, State, or Local law..