SFA Design, a renowned design firm based in Santa Barbara, CA, is currently seeking an Associate Designer to join their team. The Associate Designer will play a vital role in ensuring that each project is completed to the highest standards and objectives set by SFA Design. This includes maintaining project schedules and budgets, overseeing project execution and customer service, and acting as a liaison between clients, vendors, and senior team members. The Associate Designer will have the opportunity to grow and learn through mentorship, gradually taking on more responsibilities. Additionally, they will be responsible for upholding company standards, exhibiting professionalism, and contributing to the profitability of the organization.
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Position Overview
The Associate Designer position at SFA Design in Santa Barbara, CA is a crucial role that directly impacts the company’s mission and overall success. The responsibilities of the role include ensuring that each project assigned to the team is completed to SFA Design’s high standards and objectives, reflecting in the overall quality of the design. The Associate Designer plays a vital part in the design process, being responsible for project management, staying on schedule and within budget, and maintaining the quality of execution and customer service.
The Associate Designer also acts as a liaison between vendors, purchasing, clients, and senior team members. Their role may vary based on project needs and positive progress noted by senior team members. In addition to responsibilities to SFA Design, the Associate Designer is responsible for ensuring profitability to the organization through strong project management and comprehensive understanding of business requirements. Professionalism in relation to clients, vendors, and employees is essential for success in this role.
Primary Areas of Responsibility
Work with Senior Team Members on Concept Phase
In the concept phase of assigned projects, the Associate Designer produces and assists in creating conceptual sketches, sources, vendor options, materials, colors, floor plans, and all other conceptual options and choices for the project. They also assist senior team members in creating client budgets and budget options, as well as quoting and implementing concepts.
Assist with Client Meetings On and Off Site
The Associate Designer accompanies senior team members to client meetings when necessary. They are responsible for taking notes, measurements, photos, and recording details of the meetings. They also assist senior team members in project concept, assembly, and presentation.
Design Presentation Assistance
Managing product images, sourcing, scanning, saving, and printing is part of the Associate Designer’s responsibility. They also prepare InDesign/Publisher presentations for senior team members and prepare product prints, framing, and other materials needed for presentation boards.
Product Sourcing, Quoting, and Pricing
As a secondary vendor liaison, the Associate Designer works on all aspects of sourcing, quoting, specifying, and pricing, in collaboration with senior team members. They also assist in ensuring accurate incoming and outgoing information to and from the vendors.
Purchasing
The Associate Designer helps in preparing purchasing proposals and purchase orders, making client copies, filing client copies, following up with vendors, expediting items, maintaining spreadsheets, and keeping all purchase order books organized.
General Duties & Position Standards
The Associate Designer manages CFA’s and sampling, design department filing and binder upkeep, resource library updating and maintenance, design studio organization, running errands and providing general designer and expeditor assistance. They complete projects efficiently, follow company procedures, and constantly look for ways to achieve maximum efficiency, productivity, and profitability for SFA Design.
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Associate Designer Technical Skills
The Associate Designer should be proficient in CAD, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.), Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, etc.), Spexx, and Studio Designer. They should also be familiar with relevant contractor tracking software such as Billquick, Buzzsaw, and Procore. Additionally, the Associate Designer should possess the ability to scale plans and sketch and render by hand.
Associate Designer Professional Skills
The Associate Designer should have excellent time and project management skills, a good eye for color theory, strong client and relationship skills, a willingness to help others and be a team player, great communication skills (both verbal and written), and a full understanding of all aspects of design services and the ability to perform all levels of the service.
Reviews and Compensation
Annual reviews will be conducted to assess the Associate Designer’s progress and identify areas of improvement. Compensation adjustments and additional perks will be considered based on successful reviews.
Ultimate Success
The Associate Designer’s ultimate success will be measured by the profitability of assigned projects, client satisfaction and repeat business, the quality of design work and customer service provided, the ability to promote services through networking and strong relationships, and the ability to effectively manage projects and workload.
In conclusion, the Associate Designer at SFA Design has a vital role in ensuring the success of the company. They contribute to high-quality design services, maintain profitability for the organization, and uphold professional standards in client and vendor interactions. Feedback through annual reviews and compensation adjustments based on successful performance are part of the career growth opportunities provided by SFA Design. The ultimate success of the Associate Designer is achieved through profitable projects, satisfied clients, high-quality design work, effective promotion of services, and efficient project and workload management.
