Design Assistant to the Principal Designer

Benefits: Competitive salary Paid time off Design Assistant to the Principal Designer Luxury Residential Interior Design | Private Design Firm | Chicago, Illinois Full-time, on-site The Design Assistant works side by side with the Principal Designer, supporting every phase of the design process while keeping the studio’s day-to-day running smoothly. This is a hybrid creative and administrative position: you will contribute to concept development, drawings, and sourcing, while also anticipating the principal’s needs, protecting their time, and serving as a point of contact for clients and partners. This role is ideal for an emerging designer with a refined eye, exceptional organization, and the discretion to work with high-profile Luxury Residential projects. It offers a clear path toward Junior Designer and Project Designer responsibilities. Key Responsibilities Design Support Assist the Principal with concept development, mood boards, material palettes, and client presentation boards Prepare space plans, furniture layouts, elevations, and detail drawings in AutoCAD, SketchUp, or Revit under direction Create and maintain presentation decks, FF&E schedules, finish schedules, and specification books Research, source, and curate furnishings, lighting, textiles, wallcoverings, stone, tile, hardware, art, and accessories from trade showrooms, artisans, antiques dealers, and vendors Request, organize, and track samples, memos, COMs, and swatches; maintain the studio’s material library Attend project meetings, site visits, showroom appointments, and installations; take accurate notes and follow up on action items Project Coordination Prepare orders, quotes, and proposals; track orders from placement through delivery Monitor lead times, production schedules, and shipping; coordinate receiving, warehousing, and white-glove delivery and installation Communicate with contractors, architects, tradespeople, workrooms, and vendors to keep projects on schedule Principal Support and Studio Operations Serve as a polished first point of contact for clients, and vendors, handling correspondence with discretion Maintain organized digital and physical project files, drawings, and vendor records Keep the studio’s showroom accounts, trade pricing, and vendor relationships current and well organized Qualifications Required Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Architecture, or a related field 1–3 years of experience in a residential interior design firm, architecture studio, or luxury design showroom (strong internship experience will be considered) Proficiency in AutoCAD and SketchUp; working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) and Microsoft Office or Google Workspace Exceptional attention to detail, with a trained eye for color, proportion, materiality, and quality Outstanding written and verbal communication skills and a professional, poised presence with high-net-worth clients Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines Absolute discretion regarding client privacy and confidential information Preferred Familiarity with the Chicago-area and Midwest design community, including trade resources such as the Merchandise Mart and regional artisans Experience with design and project-management software such as Ivy, Studio Designer, Programa, or Houzz Pro Knowledge of custom millwork, upholstery, drapery, and workroom processes Working knowledge of purchasing, procurement, and receiving for high-value goods NCIDQ certification or progress toward it; Illinois-registered interior designer status or eligibility Membership or interest in ASID, IIDA, or similar professional organizations Salary: $55,000.00 - $65,000.00 annually based on experience Location: Chicago Job Type: Full-time, On Site For immediate consideration please submit your cover letter and resume. Equal Opportunity Employer…

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