Design Lead

Something Special Studios

• $90K — $130K *
Media
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 7-10+ years of design experience in visual, experiential, environmental, or brand contexts, preferably from an agency setting.
  • Portfolio showcasing exceptional experiential and visual design work.
  • Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and Figma, with additional motion or 3D skills (e.g., Rhino, C4D) being advantageous.
  • Strong typography, composition, and visual systems expertise.
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills for diverse audiences.
  • Proven ability to work independently while leading design projects.
  • Knowledge of the production processes relevant to experiential or environmental designs.

Responsibilities

  • Develop clear visual concepts that translate spatial and experiential ideas into engaging 2D/3D designs.
  • Create high-quality mockups, renderings, graphics, and presentation materials.
  • Scale design concepts for varied environments including physical and digital outputs.
  • Establish and maintain visual design systems and guidelines to ensure consistency.
  • Oversee visual execution with a keen eye on layout, color, and production readiness.
  • Collaborate closely with spatial designers, producers, strategists, and art directors to foster cohesive design solutions.
  • Lead the development of client-facing presentations and confidently present work to stakeholders.
  • Mentor junior designers while maintaining high internal design standards.
  • Manage the workflow from concept through to production, coordinating with fabricators and partners.
Full Job Description
The Design Lead will bring strong expertise in visual storytelling, brand expression, and art direction to create compelling 2D and 3D design solutions across experiential, spatial, and digital environments. This role collaborates closely with creative leadership to concept and execute high-quality visual work that elevates immersive brand experiences.

Responsibilities:
  • Develop clear visual concepts that translate spatial and experiential ideas into 2D/3D designs.
  • Create high-fidelity mockups, renderings, graphics, and presentation assets.
    Scale concepts across environmental, physical, and digital outputs.
  • Build and maintain visual design systems and guidelines.
  • Oversee visual execution including layout, composition, color, and production-ready assets.
  • Collaborate with spatial designers, producers, strategists, and art directors.
  • Lead creation of client-facing decks and present work internally and externally.
  • Mentor designers and uphold strong internal design standards.
  • Manage workflow from concept through production, including communication with fabricators and partners.

Qualifications:
  • 7-10+ years of visual, experiential, environmental, or brand design experience (agency experience a plus).
  • Portfolio demonstrating compelling experiential and visual design work.
  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Figma. Motion and/or 3D experience (Rhino, C4D, etc.) is a plus.
  • Strong skills in typography, composition, and visual systems.
  • Clear communication and presentation abilities.
  • Ability to work independently and lead aspects of the design process.
  • Understanding of production processes for experiential or environmental work.

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