Pros
Compensation package is competitive, including outstanding health benefits. Beautiful Highland park office with lots of natural light. Fun projects to work on. Work/life balance was decent for most but Senior PMs travelled a lot, not sure if it's still the same now. Support of ongoing CEU/career enrichment with some being sent to trade shows and vendor factories. Technology was great during my time there, they were ahead of the curve at that point. Some coworkers were very sweet and collaborative. Stocked kitchen. Did I mention fun, beautiful projects?
Cons
While most of the staff was very friendly, there were toxic members of the upper management staff that ruined it. While this industry requires a certain je ne sai quoi of course, designers who aesthetically "fit the mold" were treated better than those who were a tad outside of the box. If your way of thinking doesn't match theirs exactly, you are marked persona non grata. Project reviews go through an SPM, who will challenge your design and make you change it, then a design director who will change your design again, and then the CEO will look at what you've presented to her after those two reviews, and ask condescendingly why you didn't do this way (the original way you designed it). Turnover all. the. time, that is why they are always hiring. Those who have been there long term "fit the mold". There is healthy competitiveness and there is toxic competitiveness, sadly this firm has the latter. Steer clear if you don't fit the mold, like to challenge the status quo, or have off days now and again, there is no grace for that unless you're a part of the clique.
