About us

RSM Design, in a body of richly conceived and executed projects across the globe, is a rare collective of designers who look deeply at place, not as a tabula rasa, but as a palimpsest for the cues to connect people to place and to connect people to each other. RSM creates spaces that are finely tuned and are well crafted, and they make a statement with their designs; one that captures the spirit of place, is a wow experience and most importantly has a feeling of optimism.

…The Port of San Diego hired RSM Design to develop a comprehensive, branded baywide signage plan for all port signage along 34 miles of port tidelands around San Diego Bay. And they delivered.

RSM was responsive, diligent and easy to work with. Their creative designs for the signage fit perfectly with the port’s branding efforts and incorporated input from several internal stakeholders. There is a detailed plan in place for how signs should look so there is consistency, as well as where signs should be placed to make the biggest impact…

Over the years we have collaborated with RSM Design on over 40 projects, both international and domestic ... every time they brought joy to their work, their relationships, and the communities which were benefitted by their senses. Over five decades of practice, I’ve engaged and worked collaboratively with a host of highly skilled two-dimensional (paper) graphic designers and three-dimensional environmental graphic design firms. But, the most natural fit for my work, the firm which stood apart as possessing the most alluring elixir of creative and professional engagement, was RSM Design. A highly collaborative firm, collegial, impossible to rattle with severe criticism, they always led with optimism and interest. To a person they bring a level of energy, excitement, curiosity, and creativity rarely exhibited by environmental design professionals. Their passion is infectious, and the outcome shows it. They are consummate professionals.

It has been a pleasure working with RSM Design on the Highlander Union Building – UCR’s student commons. As we rapidly reach the installation of the signage and wayfinding program for our new building, RSM Design has been instrumental in the seamless coordination efforts with the entire team. From management of the sign fabrication process to their systematic method of gaining approvals through the university system, RSM Design has a thorough knowledge of what it takes to get a project completed.

Our design process involves a high level of participatory planning with key stakeholders. We have partnered with RSM in transforming Balboa Park’s signage and wayfinding from pretty poor toward best-in-class. The firm has provided us a steady guide and inspiration as we inventoried and mapped all of the signage in and leading to the park. Sharing our findings with our key stakeholders with RSM remains one of the most effective community meetings we have held. Their plan provides us with a contextually sensitive design that is extremely attractive to our donors and to the city’s parks and recreation department. It sets the standard now for the entire park and is influencing system-wide donor recognition, advancing design from pedestrian to best-in-class.

We like the way RSM brings fresh ideas to their design work and how they add significant value to our work. RSM adds texture to a project by thinking carefully about graphic design for every important element and they especially stand out by how effectively they interact and brainstorm with us. More than any other designer, they truly understand what we want out of a project.

We have received a number of compliments over the Holiday Season in regards to the new directional signs. Multiple guests and tenants commented that they were extremely impressed with the quality of the signs, and how they have helped to make navigating through the center much easier. The directional signs have made a tremendous impact and look great! I just wanted to share.

The innovative design team at RSM goes beyond graphic design in that they understand the architecture and meaning of projects. They enhance the overall feeling of the project and deliver on time with impeccable service.