Designer Apprentice

Description

About us: 

We are inspired Placemakers who enhance the built environment with a focus on brand and culture. Across multiple studios, Elements provides a comprehensive portfolio of products and services for the interior built environment. We combine our interiors expertise with construction capability and the collaborative, cross-functional process of human-centered design. This holistic approach to the built environment creates a seamless experience and exceptional results for our clients.  

This position is with our studio, Slate: A premier commercial Steelcase furniture dealer. We are a dynamic, high-performing team of designers who thrive in a collaborative environment, committed to crafting inviting and memorable spaces that reflect our clients' visions and foster long-term customer loyalty. We celebrate creativity and innovation, ensuring that every project not only meets but exceeds expectations. 

Slate Core Values: 

Be Different | Bring It | Elevate | Own Your Craft | Know Your Impact 

About the role: 

As a Design Apprentice in our Slate studio, you will dive into the world of commercial interiors by supporting our design team with furniture specification, space planning, and documentation preparation. This entry level role provides hands on exposure to the full project lifecycle, partnering closely with Designers and Sales team members to transform client needs into functional and visually compelling environments. 

You will bring critical thinking and deductive reasoning to the table by analyzing design challenges, interpreting construction documents, and supporting informed, creative solutions. Your success will shine through your attention to detail, technical accuracy, and timely project contributions, all while building foundational skills for growth within the studio. 

What you’ll do: 

• Support Designers and Sales teams throughout the project lifecycle, aligning furniture solutions with client goals, budgets, and timelines. 
• Assist in developing furniture specifications, pricing documentation, validation packages, finish boards, proposals, spreadsheets, and other client facing materials to support presentations and approvals. 
• Use design software (e.g., CET Designer, AutoCAD) to produce furniture plans, 3D renderings, installation drawings, and detailed documentation. 
• Translate architectural drawings into functional furniture layouts while considering ADA and basic code requirements. 
• Communicate with vendors to obtain pricing, product details, and technical specifications, and maintain accurate records of product selections, revisions, pricing, and vendor contacts throughout the design process. 
• Track project hours and support delivery of work within established budget parameters. 
• Participate in client meetings, showroom presentations, site visits, field verifications, and furniture inventories. 
• Organize and maintain the resource library and sample inventory to ensure materials are accurate, accessible, and up to date. 
• Perform peer audits, contribute to process improvement initiatives, and stay current on product offerings and industry trends through ongoing vendor training and professional development, strengthening studio quality, client relationships, and overall business performance. 

Requirements

Who you are: 

• You have a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design, or a related field. 
• You have 0–2 years of relevant experience, including internships or co-op roles. 
• You’re proficient in design and productivity software such as CET Designer, AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revit, and Microsoft Office Suite. 
• You understand space planning principles and can interpret architectural drawings into functional furniture layouts, with a working awareness of ADA and basic commercial interior code considerations. 
• You are comfortable working with architectural construction documents, including reading and referencing furniture cut sheets. 
• You have a basic knowledge of contract furniture systems, including furniture specification and product selection. 
• You pay close attention to detail and stay organized while managing multiple tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. 
• You communicate clearly and professionally, providing friendly and responsive service to internal teams, vendors, and clients. 
• You enjoy collaborating with others, demonstrate learning agility and a growth mindset, and are eager to build your skills in a dynamic studio environment. 

We’d love to see your work. Please include a portfolio of relevant design projects with your application.   

Work Environment: 

While we support hybrid work, this role is based in the Denver metro area and requires regular in-office presence. Ideal candidates will enjoy and thrive in a primarily in-person, collaborative team environment. 

Our Benefits:  

• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance 
• Flexible Paid Time Off  
• Retirement Plans  
• Profit Sharing  
• Downtown Parking  
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)  
• Paid Parental Leave  
• Paid Family Medical Leave  
• Career Development and Advancement: We offer ongoing training, mentoring, and clear, defined paths for promotion to support your long-term career growth with us. 

EEO Statement 

Workplace Elements provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. 

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. 

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.