Associate – Strategic Design & Narrative

JR United Kingdom; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global design practice is seeking a creative and strategic Associate to join their London team. This hybrid role focuses on shaping the future of design by crafting compelling narratives and innovative spatial ideas, ideal for someone keen to blend design with strategic thinking. You'll work across multiple sectors, contributing to a culture of innovation and storytelling in diverse projects.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of experience in design or strategy fields.
• Strong portfolio showcasing narrative skill.
• Excellent verbal, visual, and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop early-stage creative strategies across masterplans and interiors.
• Create vision decks and concept narratives.
• Collaborate closely with architects and designers globally.

Skills

Storytelling

Communication

Creative Strategy

Collaboration

Tools

InDesign

Keynote

Figma

Illustrator

Job description

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Associate – Strategic Design & Narrative, reading

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Client:

Location:

reading, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Views:

3

Posted:

04.06.2025

Expiry Date:

19.07.2025

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Job Description:

A forward-thinking, global design practice is inviting a highly creative and strategic Associate to join their dynamic creative team based in London. You will be part of a small streamlined team that support all teams across global locations while based in London you will be across all design. This hybrid role is perfect for a designer and strategic thinker eager to shape the future of design thinking. You’ll be working on the very front end of design—crafting compelling narratives, conceptualising innovative spatial ideas, and merging experience with context to create projects that resonate across masterplanning, architecture, and interiors.

About the Practice

This internationally recognised practice is known for pushing the boundaries of design. With a culture built on innovation and collaboration, the firm continuously redefines what design means in today’s fast-paced world. This role acts as a catalyst for early-stage ideation and strategic innovation, uniting a group of passionate individuals across various disciplines—ranging from architecture and interiors to brand experience and UX—to develop groundbreaking ideas before the brief even exists.

The Role

Reporting directly to the Principal of Strategic Design, you will be an integral part of a small, high-trust team tasked with redefining early-stage design. Your role will involve developing creative strategies, crafting vision decks and concept narratives, and translating strategic insights into tangible design propositions. You’ll work across multiple sectors—from residential and workplace to education and civic spaces—ensuring that every idea you develop is insightful, boundary-crossing, and deeply rooted in storytelling.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop early-stage creative strategies for projects across masterplans, buildings, and interiors by leveraging story, user experience, and contextual insights
• Create vision decks, pitch provocations, concept narratives, and spatial frameworks for both real and speculative design opportunities
• Transform strategic inputs into tangible, actionable design ideas, including spatial typologies and user experience principles
• Collaborate closely with architects, urban designers, interior designers, strategists, and visualisers across global studios
• Work across diverse sectors—residential, workplace, education, civic, and mixed-use—crafting ideas that seamlessly blend disciplines
• Shape and communicate big ideas clearly and compellingly, whether through a concise line of copy or a multi-slide presentation
• Contribute to evolving the sub team as a globally connected hub for innovation, creativity, and storytelling

You’ll Bring

• 5–8 years of experience in a relevant design or strategy field, such as architecture, interior design, urban design, brand experience, UX, or creative direction
• A portfolio that showcases strong concept thinking, narrative skill, and experience in shaping early-stage ideas across various scales and sectors
• A proven ability to connect ideas from spatial strategy to brand storytelling to user journeys
• Experience working in ambiguous situations with the curiosity and clarity to define ideas where the brief is still emerging
• Excellent verbal, visual, and written communication skills with a natural instinct for storytelling and impactful presentation
• A collaborative, team-first attitude along with the confidence to articulate and champion your ideas

You Must Also Have

• Experience with brand strategy, user journey mapping, or experiential design frameworks
• Strong layout and storytelling skills using InDesign and Keynote; proficiency with Figma, Illustrator, or similar design tools is a plus
• Demonstrated ability to work fluidly across disciplines and to communicate ideas that traverse multiple design scales and specialisms
• An interest in emerging technologies, including AI-enhanced design tools and speculative workflows
• Experience working within international teams or across multiple studios, with a comfort in remote collaboration and global engagement

Why This Role Matters

This is not your typical design delivery role—it’s a rare opportunity to help define what comes before the brief. At the studio, conventions are challenged, and the future of design is envisioned free from traditional constraints. If you’re passionate about blending design with strategic narrative and eager to create ideas that have a global impact, this role offers a unique platform to accelerate your career.

If you’re ready to shape the future of design strategy and narrative, we’d love to hear from you. Please apply with your CV and portfolio, demonstrating your conceptual prowess and design excellence. All applications will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.