At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our creative studio to support real design projects and develop your skills.
- Company: Gillespies LLP, a diverse team of landscape architects and urban designers.
- Benefits: Freelance flexibility, hands-on experience, and exposure to innovative design practices.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and creativity.
- Why this job: Make an impact on exciting projects while exploring cutting-edge design technologies.
- Qualifications: Recent graduates or early-career professionals with design curiosity and software skills.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ per year.
About the opportunity
We are looking for a talented Graduate/Assistant-level designer, welcoming applications from Landscape Architects or Architects, with strong visual, design and technical curiosity, to join our creative studio on a freelance / contract basis. This role is suitable for recent graduates or early-career professionals (typically 6–18 months experience is advantageous) who are eager to develop their practice skills while contributing to real projects across the UK and internationally. If you are passionate about design, enjoy working across scales, and want hands-on exposure to real project delivery within a collaborative studio environment, we would like to hear from you.
About us
Gillespies LLP is a diverse and free-thinking team of landscape architects, masterplanners and urban designers. We believe great places are created when people, nature and design intelligence work in balance. While technology is transforming design practice, we value the human insight, creativity and storytelling that shape enduring environments. Our work spans large-scale landscape, public realm and urban regeneration projects in the UK and internationally.
Role scope
You will support project teams in a design-led, professional studio environment. Typical activities may include:
- Preparation of presentation materials across digital, 3D and graphic media
- Development of drawings and packages for planning, technical, tender and construction stages
- Conceptual sketching, illustrative design and visualisation support
- Contribution to design research, precedent studies, materials exploration and technical references
- Drafting, setting up and amending drawings in accordance with studio CAD/BIM standards
- Project file management, drawing issue coordination, printing and documentation control
- Participation in internal design discussions and project meetings
- Fieldwork, site surveys and research tasks where required
Design, digital and emerging technology skills
We are particularly interested in candidates who are curious about how digital innovation and AI-assisted workflows are shaping modern design practice. You should demonstrate an interest in:
- Design exploration using emerging digital tools
- 3D Visualisation, graphic communication and workflow optimisation
- Data-informed design research and analysis
- Experimentation with new design technologies within a studio environment
Freelance working considerations
This is a freelance / contract role. Candidates should therefore be able to confirm:
- Professional Indemnity (PI) insurance coverage appropriate to freelance design work
- Familiarity with industry-standard design tools used in landscape and architectural practice
- Access to your own laptop and business licensed core design software
Software list:
- Essential: Adobe Creative Cloud (with access to Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator as a minimum), Microsoft 365 or Studio 2019 with MS Teams, AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT
- Desirable based on project requirements: Autodesk Revit, Autodesk Navisworks
Remote Graduate/Assistant Designer - Freelancer in Newport employer: Gillespies
Gillespies LLP is an exceptional employer, renowned for its commitment to creating transformative and sustainable environments that enhance community well-being. With a collaborative work culture that encourages innovation and professional growth, employees have the opportunity to engage in pioneering projects both in the UK and internationally. The freelance nature of this role allows for flexibility while contributing to meaningful design leadership and mentorship within a forward-thinking studio environment.
