Event Designer

Event Designer

Britten, Inc. is a veteran-owned, creative production house dedicated to delivering innovative signage, displays, and event branding solutions that make our customers stand out in a crowd. For 35+ years, we've leveraged our state-of-the art design, printing, fabrication, and manufacturing capabilities to propel high-impact campaigns and promotional ideas into the world. Always on time, on strategy, and on budget, we build the stuff that helps people, communities, and businesses flourish and prosper.
Located in Traverse City, Michigan, this creative production studio known as Britten seeks talented individuals to join our team. We've built a reputation for saying "yes" to projects others won't touch. Our people make that possible, individuals who put a premium on thoughtful service, care about the people next to them, and are willing to go the extra mile on projects they touch.
We are looking for an Event Designer to execute branded environment projects under the direction of the Senior Event Designer. You'll receive full projects or specific scopes — a single activation, a portion of a larger venue build, a discrete deliverable inside a multi-element job — and carry them from concept through print-ready production files. The Senior Event Designer sets the bar for process and quality - your job is to hit it consistently while sharpening your own eye for spatial branding and large-format execution. This is a studio-based role for a designer who wants to grow inside a high-output experiential and event-branding environment. You'll work on the survey-to-print pipeline daily, learn Britten's product portfolio inside and out, and build the foundation to eventually lead projects of your own.
We want people who align with and can live our core values:
We Say Yes
We Hustle
We Think Bigger
We Keep Promises
We Build People Up
Job Summary and Job Functions:
Take projects assigned by the Senior Event Designer — full builds or specific scopes — and execute them through print-ready production files
Work from site survey packages (photos, dimensions, annotated plans, vendor notes) provided or interpreted by the Senior Event Designer
Develop concepts, renderings, mockups, and elevations using Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, and related tools, following team standards for file structure and presentation
Build print-ready files with correct bleed, finished sizes, color management, and material callouts aligned to Britten's production capabilities
Apply Britten's product portfolio — large-format decal, vinyl, mesh, fabric, tension frames, BoxPop, scenic foam — to the surfaces and moments the Senior Event Designer has specified, and flag when an alternate product might serve better
Follow the templates, checklists, and design standards set by the Senior Event Designer; surface gaps or improvements rather than working around them
Maintain clean, organized project files so any team member can pick up where you left off
Self-review work against Britten's production and brand quality standards before sending it up for Senior review
Hit deadlines and communicate proactively when scope, complexity, or input gaps put a deadline at risk
Partner with Sales, Project Management, Production, and Install teams on day-to-day project execution
Escalate questions and decisions to the Senior Event Designer rather than guessing on intent or quality calls
Contribute to team knowledge — vendor notes that worked well, product applications that solved a tricky install, files worth templating
Build expertise across Britten's full product portfolio with the goal of independently spec'ing the right product for the right application
Develop client-facing skills through gradually expanded responsibilities as judged ready by the Senior Event Designer
Contribute design ideas in team reviews — the role grows by what you bring to it
Work the production art queues as assigned by the Art Manager
Assist with marketing needs within the Art department scope
Align with and believe in the company core values: We Say Yes, We Hustle, We Think Bigger, We Keep Promises, We Build People Up
Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to be exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope of the position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Requirements:
2–4 years of experience in graphic design, experiential design, environmental graphics, or large-format/signage production design
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign)
Solid grasp of large-format print fundamentals: bleeds, resolution at scale, color management, viewing distance, substrates
Ability to read and work from field documentation — photos, dimensions, floor plans, and annotated notes
Strong attention to detail and a willingness to follow established process before suggesting changes to it
Clear written communication for working closely with a small design team and cross-functional partners
Portfolio that shows large-format, dimensional, environmental, or event work — even if from school or freelance
Familiarity with tension fabric frame systems, scenic elements, or rigid-substrate fabrication
Experience working in a print, sign, scenic, or fabrication shop environment
Comfort working in a production-driven environment where deadlines and buildability matter as much as the visual
Align with and believe in the company core values: We Say Yes, We Hustle, We Think Bigger, We Keep Promises, We Build People Up
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
Office environment working atmosphere
Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments
Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods
Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another
Communicating with others to exchange information
Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers
Performing and assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness work
Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing
Light work that includes moving or adjusting objects up to 20 pounds
Travel as required to support event activations
Compensation and Benefits:
A competitive hourly rate and/or salary is being offered and a full benefits package for all full-time positions. Benefits Package Highlights:
Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance coverage options
401K with employer match of contribution (Employer match equal to 50% of contributions to the plan, up to 6% of employee's pay)
Paid Holidays
Paid Time Off (Full time employees)
Educational Assistance
Life Insurance-company provided
Reimbursement for safety glasses and/or work boots (if position requires and qualifies) Company provided safety, skill development and/or leadership training opportunities