Sr. 3D Experiential Designer

Location: NYC, NY or Los Angeles, CA (REMOTE / HYBRID)

Reports to: Assoc. Creative Director / Creative Director

Position Overview

The Senior 3D Experiential Designer is a creative leader responsible for shaping the spatial vision of immersive brand experiences from concept through execution. This role goes beyond design execution - you will help define creative direction, elevate the quality of work across projects, and act as a trusted partner to Creative Directors, Producers, and clients.

You bring a strong point of view, deep experiential knowledge, and the ability to translate strategy into compelling, buildable environments. You are equally comfortable leading concept development, refining details with fabricators, and guiding teams onsite to ensure creative integrity.

This role is ideal for a designer who thrives in ownership - someone who can lead workstreams, mentor others, and raise the bar creatively while staying grounded in real-world production realities.

Skills & Expertise

Creative Leadership & Vision

• Lead spatial concept development for experiential projects, setting a clear creative vision from early ideation through execution
• Partner closely with Creative Directors to define and evolve the experiential design language for each project
• Bring a strong, informed point of view to creative conversations while remaining collaborative and open
• Push concepts beyond the obvious, ensuring work is culturally relevant, emotionally resonant, and brand-forward

Concept Development & Design Excellence

• Design immersive environments across events, pop-ups, retail, trade shows, and large-scale installations
• Develop high-quality 3D models, renderings, animations, and walkthroughs that clearly communicate intent to internal teams and clients
• Translate brand strategy and narrative into spatial storytelling, guest journeys, and layered physical experiences
• Integrate architecture, graphics, lighting, technology, furniture, and décor into cohesive systems
• Balance ambitious creative thinking with production feasibility, budgets, and timelines

Collaboration & Client Engagement

• Present design concepts with confidence and clarity to clients and internal stakeholders
• Act as a key creative partner to producers, fabricators, and vendors to maintain design integrity throughout production
• Participate in client walkthroughs, site visits, and reviews — proactively solving problems and guiding decisions
• Support and help shape new business pitches with elevated design thinking and compelling visuals

Team Leadership & Mentorship

• Mentor and support mid-level and junior designers, providing guidance, feedback, and creative direction
• Lead portions of projects independently, managing scope, priorities, and design quality
• Help establish best practices for 3D workflow, design documentation, and presentation standards
• Contribute to a culture of craft, curiosity, and accountability across the creative team

Core Competencies

• Advanced expertise in 3DS Max, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, and Google Suite
• Strong technical proficiency in renderings, elevations, plans, and production-ready 3D models (Enscape & D5 preferred)
• Deep understanding of experiential fabrication, materials, lighting, scenic construction, and installation processes
• Exceptional spatial design sensibility with a strong eye for detail and composition
• Highly organized, adaptable, and comfortable managing multiple projects under tight deadlines
• Clear, confident communicator - visually, verbally, and in written form
• Familiarity with emerging tools and technologies (AI, AR/VR, parametric design) a plus
  
  

Onsite Responsibilities

• Take creative ownership onsite, ensuring the design vision is realized with precision and care
• Collaborate with production leads to resolve real-time challenges while protecting creative intent
• Oversee installation of scenic builds, fabrication, furniture, graphics, and décor
• Review and adapt floorplans, layouts, and details as needed to address onsite conditions
• Lead by example — remaining hands-on, solutions-oriented, and calm under pressure
• Support styling, detailing, and final creative touches to bring environments fully to life

Qualifications

• 7–10+ years of experience in Experiential, Environmental, Retail, or Architectural Design (agency experience strongly preferred)
• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Environmental Design, Graphic Design, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• Proven ability to lead experiential projects from concept through execution
• Strong portfolio showcasing immersive, brand-driven environments with high-quality 3D work and documentation

Travel & Mobility

• Ability to travel up to 25%
• Willingness to work nights, weekends, and irregular hours as required by project needs
  
  

PINCH’S CORE VALUES + YOU:

• Joy Begets Creativity: In the heat of the project, can we find moments of fun and levity? When stressed, anxious about succeeding, or frustrated with process, good ideas are hard to come by. Great ones, nearly impossible. You help contribute to a creative and positive work environment by being collaborative, open to ideas, and treating team members with respect.
• Go Beyond the Ask: At face value, many projects seem destined to produce uninspiring results. We ask ourselves, can the core goals be hijacked –hopefully with a core client as an accomplice– to ensure we can create stories that are interesting, cool, or even fun. Let’s give clients what they need, but are unable to articulate and opening them up to possibilities that they may not have imagined. You help facilitate this discovery process by pushing the work by being inquisitive, keeping yourself up-to-date with cultural trends, and expressing your point of view.
• Never Arrive: Stagnation kills creative (and companies). Brands need to grow and evolve, teams need to grow and evolve, companies need to grow and evolve. Can we push ourselves and our clients to stay ahead of the current, to realize that success always needs to evolve beyond what we know or feel comfortable with. You contribute to the growth and success of the team by holding yourself to a high standard of excellence and taking risks.
• Human Beings Feelings: “Feel Something.” A fundamental need for human beings is to connect with something that feels magical and special. This comes through moments which move us emotionally, and separate us from daily concerns. You keep Pinch accountable to its values by keeping our “why” at the forefront of your work.