Experiential Sales Center Set Designer
Contract | Chicago, IL | On-Site
Estimated Start Date: Immediate, Minimum 6–8 Week Engagement
Our client is seeking an experienced Experiential Sales Center Set Designer to support the design and execution of a customer-facing sales center environment targeted for opening this fall. This role will be responsible for transforming creative concepts into immersive, buildable experiences while collaborating closely with architects, fabricators, contractors, and internal design teams.
Operating at the intersection of Experiential Design, Fabrication, Architecture, and Construction, this professional will help bring a branded environment to life while ensuring design intent is maintained throughout fabrication, installation, and final delivery. The ideal candidate has experience designing physical brand experiences, exhibits, sales centers, museums, experiential activations, or immersive environments and understands how to balance creative vision with real-world build requirements.
Why You’ll Love This Role:
The ideal candidate will love this role because it offers the opportunity to create a highly visible, customer-facing environment from concept through completion. This position allows designers to see their ideas move beyond renderings and presentations into a fully realized physical experience.
You'll collaborate with architects, fabricators, contractors, and stakeholders throughout the process while helping shape a memorable and engaging destination. For professionals who enjoy blending creativity with execution, this role offers the chance to make a meaningful impact within a fast-moving and highly collaborative project environment.
What You’ll Do:
Experiential Design & Creative Development
Develop and refine experiential design concepts for a customer-facing sales center environment
Translate creative vision into buildable and functional design solutions
Create environmental design elements, spatial layouts, and customer journey experiences
Ensure design intent is maintained throughout fabrication and installation
Support design presentations, reviews, and stakeholder feedback sessions
Fabrication & Build Coordination
Partner with fabricators, contractors, architects, and project stakeholders throughout project execution
Review fabrication drawings, materials, finishes, and production specifications
Ensure designs are feasible, functional, and aligned with project requirements
Provide design guidance and support throughout the build process
Assist in resolving design challenges and production issues as they arise
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Coordinate closely with internal design teams and project leadership
Collaborate with architects and construction partners to align design and build requirements
Participate in project meetings and status updates
Ensure all stakeholders remain aligned throughout the project lifecycle
Support decision-making related to design modifications and execution needs
Installation & Execution Support
Support installation planning and on-site execution as needed
Review completed build elements for alignment with approved design intent
Assist with final walkthroughs and quality assurance reviews
Troubleshoot design-related issues during installation and project completion
Help ensure readiness for sales center opening and customer experience delivery
Qualifications:
3+ years of experience in experiential design, environmental design, exhibit design, set design, retail design, museum design, or related disciplines
Experience designing physical environments from concept through execution
Understanding of fabrication processes, materials, construction methods, and installation requirements
Ability to collaborate effectively with architects, contractors, fabricators, and project managers
Experience developing design documentation, renderings, presentations, and production-ready concepts
Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
Ability to thrive in fast-paced environments with compressed timelines
Hiring Process
1
Share Your Interest in the Position
Click on Apply Now below to apply and get started. After you submit the initial form, you will be prompted to create or complete your free Soundings Thrive profile if you are not already a member.
Please note: A completed Thrive profile is required so we can evaluate your skills for this role. Your application will not be considered complete until your Thrive profile is finished.
2
Receive an Update from Soundings
Our team will review your information and let you know your status.
3
If You Move Forward
Next steps may include a skills-based interview with Soundings, interviews with the client, and reference checks.
4
Job Offer
Final candidates will receive a formal offer directly from the client.
We are committed to providing a transparent, timely, and respectful candidate experience from start to finish.