MORE THAN A
GREAT TEAM.
BUILT ON A
GREAT CULTURE.
WHO WE ARE
We’ve assembled a great team and cultivated a culture that brings out their best. Step inside our workspace and you’ll notice more than machines and monitors. You’ll find a crew of passionate problem-solvers and go-getters who love what they do — and it shows in every job we deliver.
Our culture is rooted in supporting, challenging, and inspiring our people. That’s why we’ve created an environment where collaboration is second nature, new ideas are welcome, and positive vibes power everything we do.
Plus, we know how to have fun along the way!
What We Value
Unparalleled Service
Our customers come first—always. Without them, there is no us. We go above and beyond to deliver what’s needed, when it’s needed, with reliability and care.
Exceptional people
Great service starts with great people. We value our team and treat them with the same respect and commitment we give our clients.
Responsive Communication
Clear, honest, timely communication is the backbone of every great relationship—whether with clients, teammates, or partners.
Streamlined Systems
We believe in working smart. Our operational systems and proprietary technology keep us efficient, organized, and ahead of the competition.
Professional Pride
We take ownership of our work. We follow through, sweat the details, and never cut corners—because excellence takes hard work, and quality matters.
Where it Happens
From the front office to the production floor, our state-of-the-art facility was especially designed to cultivate creativity, invite teamwork, foster fun, and keep momentum moving.
From wide-open spaces to private offices, casual lounges to buttoned-up boardrooms, standup desks to an outdoor picnic area (with a lake view!) — we’ve designed every corner of our office for comfort, focus, and flexibility.
And for those rare moments when a break is more powerful than a strong cup of coffee—our quiet space is available for a quick nap. We even have a private shower if you want to freshen up before heading out to your next destination.
Why We Work
We don’t simply work at Arena Graphics, we care, we create, we strive every day (and sometimes well into the night) for the “wow!” – for the moment our clients say, “That’s exactly what I imagined!”
We work to create bold, beautiful creations that don’t just fill space – they tell stories, create a buzz, and make businesses stand out.
We work to help our customers win attention in a very noisy world. And when our customers win, we win also.
We work fast, think big, and bring a contagious energy to every project. We’re always learning, always improving, and always pushing for the best results possible.
Oh, one more thing – we work because blank walls drive us crazy.
How We Began
Jim’s rendition of Bullets logo
Circa 1973
Jim’s HS notebook
Circa 1973
The Arena Graphics Story
(as told by our founder).
I’ve been fascinated by logos for as long as I can remember — especially sports logos.
When I was 10 years old, I asked my mom for colored paper, markers, scissors, and glue so I could recreate my favorite team logos by hand. What started as a childhood hobby quickly became an obsession. I spent countless hours tracing, cutting, and perfecting every detail.
Years later, in a high school Latin class I never wanted to take, I was doing what I always did when my mind wandered—I was sketching sports logos. My teacher quietly walked up behind me, looked over my shoulder, and said loud enough for the entire class to hear:
“Do you really think you can make a career by drawing logos for the rest of your life?”
The entire class laughed.
I didn’t.
Twenty years later, Arena Graphics was beginning to find its footing when the Washington Wizards asked us to produce and install a special center-court graphic celebrating the franchise’s 25th anniversary of its only NBA Championship.
The artwork they sent us was the very same Bullets logo I had carefully cut from colored paper as a 10-year-old—and the same logo I had been drawing the day my teacher told me I couldn’t make a career out of it.
Today, Arena Graphics has printed and installed thousands of logos and graphics on walls, windows, floors, vehicles, stadiums, arenas, sidewalks, and buildings throughout the Mid-Atlantic and across the country.
But this story isn’t really about proving a teacher wrong.
It’s about discovering what you love, refusing to let someone else define what’s possible, and building a company around that passion.
Nearly four decades later, I still get excited when I walk through our production floor or watch one of our installation teams transform an ordinary space into something unforgettable. What began with a pair of scissors and colored paper has grown into an incredible team of talented people who take genuine pride in their craft and care deeply about delivering exceptional work for every client.
That’s the culture we’ve worked hard to build at Arena Graphics—a place where people are encouraged to grow, take ownership of their work, and are passionate about creating graphics that leave a lasting impression.
Jim Lutz
Founder and President, Arena Graphics
Our Alumni
Some of the brightest people we’ve worked with over the years have gone on to do even bigger things—pursuing passions, launching new careers, and finding fulfillment in other endeavors. We’re proud to have been a chapter in their journey well after we’ve parted ways. Their time at Arena Graphics mattered—to us, to our clients, and to the culture we’ve built. Watching former team members thrive beyond Arena Graphics reminds us that great workplaces don’t just build great teams—they help launch careers and create lasting friendships.
DeJuan “DJ” Smith landed at Arena Graphics thanks to a providential connection—his dad, the Chaplain for University of Maryland Athletics, happened to catch one of our owner’s career and faith talks on Maryland’s campus. DJ reached out soon after, and once we learned he was a standout basketball player and collegiate star shaped by PG County (the nation’s most prolific NBA talent pipeline) we knew he had the drive, discipline, and hustle to be a star on our team too.
DJ quickly proved us right—but just as quickly, his childhood dream came calling. He was offered a pro contract to play basketball overseas, and while we were sorry to lose him, we couldn’t be prouder. These days, DJ’ is making moves on the court instead of in our shop—and we’re cheering him on every step of the way.
Autumn Norman brought lots of talent—and some NYC swag —when she joined our team a few years ago. Originally from Harlem, she had already cut her teeth in the fast-paced Manhattan sign and graphics world before moving to the DC area to further her education. We were lucky to have her in our prepress department, where she played a key role in some of the biggest and boldest projects we’ve produced.
But we always knew Autumn was destined for something even bigger. While working with us, she kept pursuing her studies, eventually being accepted into the prestigious Georgetown University Law School.
Autumn will soon be handling legal briefs instead of press proofs, as we believe she is on a path to do something extraordinary. In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised to see her name on an offi ce door of the Supreme Court someday.
Rachel Mitchell’s interview with Arena Graphics is the stuff of company legend.
Our owner came prepared with a list of tough questions, ready to see if Rachel had what it takes to thrive as a project manager in our fast-paced, high-pressure world. But just three questions in, he set the list aside and said, “Rachel, why even go through the rest? You’ve got the job.” And just like that, a star was hired.
Rachel dove right into the deep end—leading major projects and managing some of our most high-profile clients during a time of major growth at AGI. Cool under pressure and full of personality, she kept everything running smoothly with a sense of humor and a spreadsheet for every situation.
Eventually, Rachel answered an even higher calling: raising a family. She traded production schedules for playdates and client meetings for bedtime stories. Now a full-time mom of five (yes, five!) Rachel is still the ultimate project manager—only her team meetings now consist of lots of hugs, not tight deadlines.