Get in get out - Senior Designer workshop/apd Employee Review

3.0
18 Jul 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

High end projects that develop into built work. Talented individuals that you can learn from in the private residential field, select individuals are great. Organized with high level of detail and rigor in the work. If you want to learn how to do high end private residential work, this is it. Summer hours, competitive pay, central location, some bonus.

Cons

Very fast paced work environment that moves from deadline to deadline, continuous pressure to perform at a high standard with very top down direction. Little to no natural light in the office. High turnover due to burn out and frustration at the level of staff producing the work. Some individuals can be condescending, rude and blunt. Feels like they only care about the work and clients, not you. Top heavy management makes promotions long and tedious, reserved for those favored by senior management. High degree of micromanagement leads to people feeling under respected. Many senior management have been there for 20yrs, no alternative experience or understanding of doing things differently or open to change, atrocious communication skills.

Explore other reviews about workshop/apd

5.0
9 Dec 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great design projects and opportunities

Cons

A lot of work and long hours

2
4.0
3 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

A lot of exciting projects! As a designer I think the project exposure is great for high end residential projects. Worked on some pretty cool ones in great locations. The standards are pretty high but usually the PMs are supportive, (as an Intermediate I appreciated the effort to meet standards). Sometimes some long hours, mostly due to client demands but leadership tends to be generous around holidays so makes it very balanced (I've been in worse places where they don't even offer summer hours).

Cons

Maybe to tie it to some of the comments about senior management - there seems to be some miscommunication between SST that creates this sense of micromanagement or lack of delegation skills and then it trickles down. Personally I have not experience manipulation, gaslighting or any condescending tones. Even during my reviews there was a level of support and constructive criticism, I like to be proactive so I would make sure to set these conversations early and just deal with them. You get what you put into it basically.

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