Senior Wayfinding Designer

Location: Remote (U.S.-based) | Headquarters in Cleveland, OH

Company: Richards Wayfinding & Brand Engagement

About Richards

Founded in 1981, Richards is a wayfinding and brand engagement firm with deep roots in Cleveland, Ohio and a nationwide reach. For more than four decades, we’ve helped people navigate complex environments through intuitive, thoughtful, and highly functional wayfinding and graphic information systems.

We believe great wayfinding is about more than signage. It’s about understanding how people experience a space and using strategy and design to make their journey clearer, easier, and more intuitive.

Our work spans healthcare systems, campuses, civic and cultural environments, corporate spaces, and other complex destinations. We partner closely with clients, architects, construction teams, fabricators, and technology partners to develop solutions that integrate seamlessly into the built environment.

At Richards, we’re guided by a simple truth: Minutes Matter. Every moment counts, and our goal is to help people get where they need to go — faster, easier, and with greater confidence.

About the Role

Richards is seeking an experienced Senior Wayfinding Designer to lead the strategy and design of comprehensive wayfinding and environmental graphic systems for complex built environments.

This is a senior-level role for a designer who understands wayfinding as both a design discipline and a problem-solving system. You’ll lead projects from strategy and programming through design, documentation, fabrication, and implementation — working directly with clients, architects, project managers, fabricators, and the Richards design team.

You should be equally comfortable thinking at the system level, developing strong visual solutions, presenting to clients, and working through the technical details required to bring a wayfinding program to life.

This is a remote, U.S.-based position with occasional travel for site visits, client meetings, and project implementation.

Key Responsibilities

Wayfinding + Design

Lead wayfinding strategy and design for complex interior and exterior environmentsAnalyze floor plans, circulation patterns, destinations, decision points, and user journeys to develop intuitive navigation systemsDevelop information hierarchies, sign families, typography, color, iconography, mapping, and environmental graphic standardsDesign signage, environmental graphics, donor recognition, and branded environments that integrate with architecture and client brand standardsCreate and present clear, compelling design concepts and strategic recommendations to clients and project stakeholders

Technical + Implementation

Develop and oversee sign location plans, message schedules, design intent drawings, elevations, details, and fabrication specificationsEnsure systems meet ADA requirements, accessibility standards, and universal design principlesCollaborate with architects, fabricators, vendors, and contractors to resolve technical and production considerationsReview shop drawings, samples, prototypes, and installations to ensure alignment with design intentHelp guide projects from early concept through fabrication and final implementation

Leadership + Collaboration

Serve as a senior design voice in client meetings, presentations, and project workshopsPartner with project managers to align design solutions with scope, schedule, budget, and implementation requirementsProvide design direction and mentorship to junior and mid-level designersContribute to the continued evolution of Richards’ design standards, processes, and approach to wayfindingStay current on developments in accessibility, materials, fabrication, digital wayfinding, and emerging technologies

What We’re Looking For

8–10+ years of professional experience in wayfinding, environmental graphic design, experiential graphic design, signage, or a closely related disciplineDemonstrated experience developing comprehensive wayfinding systems for complex environmentsStrong portfolio demonstrating both strategic thinking and high-quality visual designExperience taking projects from strategy and concept through documentation, fabrication, and implementationAdvanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Illustrator, InDesign, and PhotoshopAbility to interpret architectural drawings, floor plans, elevations, and other built-environment documentationStrong understanding of typography, hierarchy, information design, composition, color, and scaleExperience with ADA-compliant signage, accessibility standards, materials, and fabrication methodsStrong client presentation, communication, and collaboration skillsAbility to independently manage multiple complex projects in a remote environmentBachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Environmental Design, Industrial Design, Architecture, Interior Design, or a related discipline — or equivalent professional experience

Preferred: Healthcare or large-campus wayfinding experience; familiarity with SignAgent or similar signage management platforms; experience with mapping, environmental visualization, digital wayfinding, or interactive systems.

Portfolio Required

Please submit a portfolio demonstrating relevant wayfinding, signage, or environmental graphic design work. We’re especially interested in seeing complete wayfinding systems that demonstrate both strategic thinking and technical execution. Applications without a relevant portfolio will not be considered.

Benefits

Full-time remote position (U.S.-based) with occasional travelUnlimited paid time offHealth, dental, and vision insurance401(k) with company matchingOpportunity to lead meaningful, people-centered projects nationwideSignificant creative ownership within an established 45+ year wayfinding practice