Bespoke Design firm; Great place to learn and grow - Anonymous employee Jessica Schuster Design Employee Review

I had a great experience working with JSD. The team is incredibly talented, creative, and passionate about what they do. Every project was approached with attention to detail, professionalism, and genuine care for the client’s vision. The principal is incredibly talented, knowledgeable, and passionate about design, and their leadership creates a creative and inspiring work environment. The company also offers great working hours and promotes a healthy work-life balance, which made the overall experience even more enjoyable.

Studio could be fast-paced during busy project periods, but it also helped me grow professionally and improve my multitasking skills.

Work-life balance can be reasonable, and there is some autonomy when leadership is out of the office.

Leadership creates a highly challenging and often uncomfortable work environment. Interactions with employees, clients, and architects and contractors are frequently strained, which can impact not only morale, but also project outcomes. Clients will not return for more projects, with an exception to her own family. Her family treats the team as though they work for them. It ultimately feels like a family business, but in the worst way possible. The workplace culture can feel tense, with employees often needing to adapt to rapidly shifting expectations and moods. This unpredictability makes it difficult to plan work effectively or feel confident in day-to-day decisions. There is also limited opportunity for employees to contribute ideas or take ownership of their work. Suggestions are often dismissed initially, only to resurface later without acknowledgment, which can be discouraging and diminish team engagement. Additionally, personal conflicts are handled in a way that becomes visible to staff, contributing to an overall sense of discomfort in the workplace.