Senior Wayfinding Design Lead

About Populous

For more than 40 years Populous has had a singular focus – to draw people together around the things that they love, to be the leading design firm that specialises in places, spaces and events where people gather. Our success is defined by designing projects that are seen as the benchmark. We are committed to future innovation, anticipating and shaping the future of our industries.

Populous Wayfinding is a team of specialist designers, strategists and industry experts, working as part of the wider Populous design and architecture practice.

We bring a distinct wayfinding perspective and expertise to projects of every scale, whether through cross-disciplinary collaboration on projects, or delivering our own specialist commissions.

Our approach is holistic and human-centred: we look beyond signs to understand people, behaviour and the diversity of journeys through a place, considering both the practical needs and emotional responses that shape how people navigate and experience complex environments.

As we continue to bring to life award-winning venues and experiences our EMEA Practice is looking for a Senior Wayfinding Design Lead based in our Shoreditch studio.

About the Role

The Populous London studio is seeking a Senior Wayfinding Design Lead to lead the wayfinding design function within the studio, fostering collaboration across disciplines and guiding the design and delivery of major sports and entertainment, urban realm, and aviation wayfinding projects.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional graphic design and information design skills, with experience in wayfinding systems, mapping, pictograms and information graphics, alongside a strong command of typography and visual communication.

You will have proven experience collaborating with architectural, landscape and spatial design teams, translating complex information into clear, engaging and accessible user experiences. An understanding of product design, fabrication and materiality would be advantageous.

Key responsibilities include:

• Liaise directly with clients to determine project briefs, deliverables, and schedules.
• Lead projects from concept through detailed design, coordinating with the other design disciplines across the project.
• Undertake project and user research and apply findings to project outputs.
• Present in front of clients
• Collaborate with the architectural team, manufacturers, and other third-party teams to align work streams.
• Collaborate with the design team and client on all aspects of the design process.
• Document design through plans, elevations, and details, coordinating with vendors to maintain design intent.
• Provide sign placement plans, content schedules, proof-referencing numbers, produce artwork according to signage requirements (sizing and standards), and articulate design decisions.

Key requirements include:

• Good communication (written and oral) and presentation skills
• Exceptional graphic design skills with a strong background in information and user-centric design (i.e., map design, pictograms, information graphics)
• Experience in working with architecture and spatial design, specifically with large-scale public buildings
• Strong familiarity with architectural construction documents, scales, sections, plans, and elevations; proficiency in drawing in scale
• Ability to work in the architectural environment of wayfinding, be fully conversant with architectural terminology, and track architectural drawings
• Excellent design aesthetic and typography skills
• A solid understanding of user behaviour in complex environments
• Effective written, visual, verbal, and presentation communication skills (internal team and client-facing)
• Firm working knowledge of the Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop
• Confidently working with the Microsoft Office Suite
• Degree in graphic design, information design, or another related equivalent degree.

About the Studio

Our Worship St studio is located just a short walk from Shoreditch High St Station, surrounded by well-known bars and restaurants and with excellent travel connections. Our employees enjoy a comprehensive and competitive benefits programme, as well as the opportunity to attend events at several Populous-designed venues.

Why Join the Team?

• Work alongside passionate, creative individuals who lead their industry, transform ideas into reality and celebrate the beauty of human connection
• Enjoy various benefits, such as hybrid working and gym membership discounts
• Enjoy the opportunity to attend events at Populous-designed venues
• Connect and learn at regular social and knowledge sharing events including an annual conference and a weekend abroad Christmas party

How to Apply

Populous is an equal opportunity employer. If you’re ready to utilise your skills to support our growing practice, click “Apply” to begin the application process. In your application, please include your CV and a one-page letter of motivation (cover letter), salary expectations, and availability.

Want to learn more about us?

Find us here: Populous

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We are committed to supporting candidates to perform at their best throughout the recruitment process, including making reasonable adjustments to our process. If you wish to discuss or request an adjustment, please contact our recruitment team at [email protected].