motivation through meaningful and inspiring projects - Project Director Ralph Appelbaum Associates Employee Review

Highly creative and collaborative team environment

Deadlines can become demanding near installation phases, which keeps the work exciting and focused

Worked with a few passionate and talented colleagues. Gained experience working on high-stakes design projects with cultural institutions.

Severe lack of transparency across departments, with no replicable project management systems in place, especially ones that would allow designers to get a clear idea of how projects are progressing. This makes it very difficult to plan ahead, and time is often spent playing detective—rather than designing. Disorganized workflows very often led to chaotic, last-minute demands and unrealistic expectations. Depending on the senior staff on the project, there is scant room for pushback on these unrealistic expectations, and attempts to professionally advocate are oneself can be met with attempts to undermine your own credibility and POV. Unhealthy work-life balance—frequent weekend work and long hours with little to no planning or support. Leadership avoided providing constructive feedback or performance reviews that would have enabled improvement. I was terminated without warning, despite a positive 90-day review and even receiving a performance-based bonus shortly afterward. HR was unable to provide clear reasoning for my termination, and other managers appeared unclear on the role or purpose of performance reviews. Client boundaries were not upheld, and team members were expected to absorb abusive behavior from some clients without meaningful support.