Somerset, UK
Lead creative designer
at Artichoke
Artichoke is hiring a lead creative designer to join its team in Somerset, UK.
Position overview
The lead designer will be responsible for the creative output of the design team and will report to our head of design.
We work for financially elite individuals who expect professional and outstanding design solutions, product and service. You will therefore need to demonstrate a flair for creative solutions to design conundrums. You will need to have an acute attention to detail and be extremely thorough in the design and delivery of your projects.
The facades of our furniture can be detailed in a wide variety of materials and ‘styles’ to answer our client’s brief. Therefore, it is important that you have a good understanding of furniture and joinery detailing from the Georgian period forward.
A significant percentage of our work is installed into period country houses. Knowledge of period architectural styles and building techniques is an advantage. Most of the housing stock we work in is ‘listed’ and therefore of local, regional and national interest.
Key objectives, but not limited to:
- establish key milestones within project timeline with concept team (internal check ins, cost meetings, client meetings)
- awareness of studio-wide project priorities and deadlines
- key contributor for hours calculations for cost estimate for each project
- demonstrate commercial awareness for decision making for design solutions
- responsibility for all aspects of concept design completion across the department, ensuring all information is complete prior to agreed deadlines
- follow projects post concept stage to ensure conceptual ideas are implemented through detail design and production engineering
- present to internal teams during key events: cost meetings/production engineering kick-off
- maintain and improve market knowledge on materials/appliances/ironmongery suppliers
- participating in and presenting design solutions to clients in a professional and articulate manner
- liaise with interiors team to provide guidance on schemes (materials/finishes/suppliers)
- judging when to upstream creative direction and decision-making to creative director
- key contributor to design process, methodology and templates (including library)
- deliver strategic goals as set by directors
- motivating the team to deliver inspiring projects, responsible for creative vision and successfully illustrating mood and atmosphere for client sign-off
- contribute to concept design team appraisals, performance reviews, disciplinary reviews
Once concept ideas and budget guides are approved, clients will be commissioned and the project moves to the detailed design phase of the project. It is the lead designer’s responsibility to ensure that the brief agreed at the concept stage is completely and effectively specified.
Our ideal candidate:
- minimum of seven years’ relevant industry experience
- proficient Auto CAD 2D user and proficient Microsoft Office user
- interior measured surveying (preferred)
- sound knowledge of architectural history, styles and detail
- good knowledge of timber, timber technology, wood veneers and veneering techniques, wood finishes and finishing techniques, cabinet making and joinery
- detailed knowledge of quality kitchen appliances and sanitary ware
- experience in how to specify stone from scants and blocks, knowledge of the properties of granites, marbles, sandstones, basalts, limestones, slates etc
- an understanding of mechanical and electrical services required to be connected to fitted furniture, kitchens, and bathrooms and the understanding of lighting design
Make history with us
Artichoke was founded on the belief that brilliantly designed interiors and joinery can immeasurably improve a client’s experience of living in a period building. As specialists in interior architecture and joinery design, we use wood to shape the character and function of rooms into distinctive and liveable spaces. We can offer you the chance to learn from the best – working alongside some of the most talented designers and makers in the country. Our state-of-the-art workshop and creative design studio are in Cheddar, Somerset, within easy reach of Bath, Bristol and the M5.
We are not simply making joinery; we are making history.
Location: Cheddar, Somerset/hybrid
Salary: highly competitive
Employee benefits: pension, cycle to work scheme, career progression, free parking and staff socials
Holiday: 24 days holiday plus bank holidays – holiday entitlement increases with continuous service
Please apply via the apply for job button below.