The Design Assistant is responsible for working directly with the Creative Director, meeting with assigned clients, and facilitating the completion of assigned interior landscape and commercial holiday décor projects. The Design Assistant will be expected to communicate professionally with clients, take spatial measurements and create design proposals, (including the creation of visual decks/mood boards), and close sales with the support of the Design and Sales department.
This role requires knowledge of foundational design concepts such as color and scale, comfort reading and marking floor plans, and ability to suggest appropriate material based on client's décor and budget. Knowledge about interior plants is preferred.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor's degree in interior design, industrial design, landscape design or relevant visual discipline is preferred.
- Professional experience in client and project management is preferred.
- Previous sales experience in B2B sales is preferred.
- Visual portfolios are encouraged but not required.
Responsibilities and Tasks
- Meet with clients onsite and discuss their design vision and budget for interior landscape projects. Take measurements and photos of the space and gather other pertinent information for the creation of a design proposal.
- Create design proposals utilizing the Planterra's estimating software, adhering to Planterra Corporation's brand standards and guidelines.
- Research products for project specification (replica plants, containers, specimen plants, etc).
- Create eye-catching, thoughtful, and accurate visuals to communicate design to client. Creative Director will help determine necessary visuals as needed.
- Close the sale by presenting designs and proposals to clients.
- Manage ongoing client communication via phone, email, text, and in person meetings, keep customers up to date on the sales, purchase, and installation processes.
- Work with the Operations department to prepare for installation of design projects; update project database and provide photos, plans, and notes to ensure installation is correctly executed.
- Attend project installations and direct placement of material with Operations department. Communicate with clients on-site during installation and perform walk-throughs with clients at end of installation to ensure satisfaction. Facilitate client introduction to Service Manager.
- Work with Service Manager to coordinate transition from installation phase to service phase of project, and communicate any issues with service quality reported by client to Service Manager.
- Attend weekly Operations and Sales/Design department meetings.
Skills and Abilities
- Skilled at providing high level customer service to both clients and colleagues, being proactive in communication via text, email and Microsoft Teams.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple projects at a time.
- Willingness and ability to be on the road multiple days per week to visit project locations and conduct onsite visits with clients (region focused in Southeast Michigan).
- Working knowledge of Adobe InDesign and Photoshop preferred.
- Ability to grasp essential business software, including Microsoft 365, is necessary for this position.
- Ability to read and comprehend instructions
- Strong written communication skills
- Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.
- Strong interpersonal skills, proven ability to work well in a team, as well as with internal and external clients.