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When you see one of our beautiful monument signs, eye-catching wrapped vehicles, or bold graphics transforming a space, you’re seeing the result of a team effort here at Port City Signs & Graphics. Behind the scenes, among the people helping shape each project from concept to completion are our Sign Designers/Project Managers. This role brings together creativity, engineering-minded thinking, and hands-on collaboration to turn ideas into finished work that clients are proud to display. We invite you to step inside the process, where you’ll find out how this role is woven into every stage of how our projects come together.

Watch this behind-the-scenes glimpse of some of the types of projects designers at Port City Signs & Graphics get to work on.

What Makes This Role Unique

One of the things that surprises people most is how many disciplines blend together in our Designer and Project Manager position. It’s creative and technical, thoughtful and hands-on. It calls for a solid understanding of materials and structure, alongside an eye for design and the judgment to know what will work once fabrication begins.

Much of the day involves moving between conversations with teammates, checking in with production or installation, reviewing materials, and making sure the details on screen translate accurately in real life. The flow shifts constantly based on what projects are in motion, which keeps each day fresh and fulfilling.

Designers here aren’t just developing concepts. They’re anticipating challenges, catching details others might miss, and thinking ahead to make the entire process smoother for everyone involved.

A Typical Day: Many Moving Parts, One Creative Flow

Because the work evolves throughout the day, “typical” never feels predictable. Still, there are core aspects that anchor the rhythm of the role.

Technical Thinking Meets Creative Design

Every project begins with the details. Scaled elevations, site plans, code requirements, and fabrication considerations all shape how a sign or wrap project can be constructed. It takes a creative mind to design something visually impactful and an engineering-minded approach to ensure it can be built safely and accurately.

Designing Across a Wide Range of Projects

The creative range in this role is one of its most appealing aspects. On any given day, a designer might develop a full vehicle wrap concept, refresh a layout for a longtime client, build out a signage package for a new development including monument and illuminated signage, or create a simple sign that needs to move quickly through production.

Some designs start from scratch, others build on past work, and many involve working with clients’ own design teams to bring their concepts to life.

All of these projects require an understanding of brand guidelines, proportions, placement, and the unique characteristics of large-format production.

Collaborating With Teams Across the Facility

If you walk through our building, you’ll see how connected every department is. Designers are often right in the middle of that movement. They talk with estimators early in the process, provide layouts that guide quoting, and work with production and installation teams to make sure every detail is right before a project moves forward.

Reviewing materials in person, checking prints as they come off the equipment, or talking through an installation challenge helps ensure that the final product reflects the quality our clients expect.

Building Lasting Client Relationships

Designers here often get to know clients well over time because many come back to us repeatedly. They trust that we understand their brand, their style, and their expectations. And the foundation of that trust is often rooted in the relationship that they develop with our designers.

Skills and Strengths That Shape This Role

What makes designers successful here has less to do with formal checklists and more to do with how they approach the craft. They tend to have a natural eye for design, comfort with measurements and technical details, and the ability to communicate clearly with both clients and coworkers. Curiosity, problem-solving instincts, and steady organization also help them navigate the variety and pace of the work.

Designers who thrive here enjoy blending creativity with structure. They like understanding how things are built and take pride in accuracy. They appreciate the variety each day brings and value being part of a team that works together toward shared goals.

Why This Role Matters

Signs and large-format graphics are part of the visual landscape of the communities we serve. They help businesses tell their stories, create atmosphere, guide people through spaces, and often become familiar landmarks.

The Designer and Project Managers play key roles in shaping these visual experiences. Their work influences what people see, how they navigate, and how they connect with the places around them. In other words, it’s truly a role with a lasting impact.

Could This Be You or Someone You Know?

If this behind-the-scenes look makes you think this is the kind of work you would enjoy, or if it brings someone to mind who would thrive in a role like this, we would love to connect. Please share this post or take the next step yourself. Apply today for our open Sign and Wrap Designer and Project Manager position.