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Kirkpatrick & Associates

Engaged employer

Disorganized leadership and toxic work culture - Interior Designer Kirkpatrick & Associates Employee Review

1.0
13 Feb 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Hospitality production experience and intensive hands-on exposure to detailed drafting across multiple active projects. The role can provide significant technical growth for those looking to build speed and production skills, often through extended 9+ hour workdays in a fast-paced environment. It offers immersion in real-time project demands and high-volume documentation workflows.

Cons

Driven by reactive management and inconsistent expectations. Tasks and standards shift without clear communication, and employees may be criticized for not meeting requirements that were never clearly defined. Leadership communication can feel dismissive and, at times, confrontational. Rather than addressing process issues, feedback is often directed at individuals, creating an atmosphere of blame rather than accountability. This makes it difficult to feel secure in your role or confident in performance expectations. There is little transparency around priorities, and workload demands can be unreasonable. Employees who value professionalism, mutual respect, and structured leadership may find this environment emotionally exhausting. I would strongly recommend asking direct questions about management style, documentation processes, and how performance concerns are handled before accepting a position here.

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Kirkpatrick & Associates Response
3w
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts about our company’s work environment. Kirkpatrick and Associates, Inc. is indeed a fast-paced environment that offers immersion in real-time project demands. We seek designers who have advanced skills in all areas of hospitality design, including FF&E selections, space planning, custom furniture, carpet and fabric design, along with drafting and specification writing experience. We are always willing to give opportunities to designers who are self-starting and willing to learn, regardless of previous experience. Great design is in the details, which requires consistency throughout the documentation set. Successful designers at our firm take ownership of their work and see how they can ensure materials are accurate and complete. When there are repeated instances of the same error, or comments that are not implemented throughout related materials, the delay in project timing negatively impacts our entire team. Most of our projects are submitted to hotel brands for their review and approval and we work within a project time frame based on the project’s construction or renovation schedule. This job is not a good fit for an individual that must be micromanaged and does not take the initiative to review their own work or move forward with the next step needed for the project. We are happy to answer questions but cannot do so when questions are not asked. For those who are forward-thinking and willing to take ownership of their work, we provide an excellent opportunity to learn every facet of hotel design. We understand you felt that performance expectations and concerns were not adequately communicated. I am sorry that you had this experience. Our office strives to be professional and provides many opportunities for growth, whether through hands-on experience, manufacturer educational presentations, or attending hotel design conferences and furniture markets. Kirkpatrick and Associates is a small team, with all employees reporting directly to the owner. Designers receive feedback on draft documents throughout the work week, which is considered part of the learning process. We expect comments to be implemented in future work product where applicable. In addition to regular performance reviews, we attempt to handle performance concerns in a timely and constructive manner with specific, actionable examples. We have documented your feedback and will keep it in mind going forward.

Explore other reviews about Kirkpatrick & Associates

5.0
12 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Kirkpatrick & Associates offers a unique opportunity to be involved in nearly every aspect of hospitality design and procurement. Employees are trusted with meaningful responsibilities and have direct exposure to project management, purchasing, vendor relations, client communications, and operations. The work is varied, fast-paced, and rarely repetitive. Team members who are motivated and willing to learn can gain experience well beyond the scope of a traditional administrative role. Leadership expects a high level of accountability, but employees who demonstrate initiative are given significant trust and autonomy. The work can be rewarding because you can see projects move from concept to installation and know your efforts directly contribute to project success.

Cons

The pace can be intense, and priorities shift frequently. The role requires strong organizational skills, resilience, and the ability to handle interruptions.

5.0
30 Sept 2017
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

For working part-time the schedule is pretty flexible, and allowances are made for school schedules. I enjoy working here, the work is challenging and rewarding when a project is completed. There is always something to do, and if you put yourself forward and ask for things to help with the answer is yes. For someone like myself who enjoys assisting others, this job is excellent.

Cons

Everybody likes to bring in treats and rich foods to share, so the only downside is the possibility of gaining weight because you're sitting at a desk and eating yummy food! The other thing, it can be stressful around project deadlines, but if everyone does their part in advance and does it correctly, it's not a horrible experience.

4
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Kirkpatrick & Associates Response
8y
Thank you for your feedback. Since your review was posted last year we have implemented an annual review. We are happy to have you as part of our team.
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