Senior 3D Designer

Critical Playground LLC; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Critical Playground LLC is seeking a Senior 3D Designer to lead spatial design for Ford accounts, from concept to delivery across live events, exhibitions and launches. You’ll work with strategists, 2D creatives and production teams to turn ideas into impactful experiences.

The role emphasizes on-site leadership, collaboration and mentorship, with a focus on advanced CAD drawing and cutting-edge visualization using Vectorworks, Enscape and Unreal Engine.

Qualifications

• Agency experience across a range of clients with strong brand guidelines.
• Advanced CAD 2D drawing and 3D modelling, ideally Vectorworks.
• Advanced 3D visualization using Enscape or Unreal Engine.
• Ability to lead spatial design projects and mentor juniors.
• A curious mindset toward AI to enhance workflows.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Creative Strategists and our multidisciplinary design team to shape creative ideas and solutions based on insight and audience.
• Foster innovation within the creative team by sharing your perspective and opinion.
• Lead projects from a spatial design perspective.
• Communicate ideas, thoughts and concepts through sketches and diagrams.
• Produce atmospheric visualisations and animations, through form, lighting and materiality.
• Partner with internal Production teams and external contractors to develop concepts and realize them on-site.
• Deliver detailed technical drawings while maintaining a thorough understanding of site, construction and budget constraints.
• Mentor junior team members, providing clear direction and actionable feedback.
• Present ideas and narratives with confidence and clarity.
• Build strong client relationships

Skills

Agency experience

Conceptual thinking

Mentoring

Client relationships

Collaboration

AI in design

Design thinking

Tools

Vectorworks

Enscape

Unreal Engine

Job description

Joining Imagination means becoming part of the original experience design agency, creating world-class work for some of the world's most ambitious brands. As the Senior 3D Designer working primarily across our Ford account you’ll lead the spatial design of projects across live events, exhibitions, launches and brand experiences, taking ideas from early concept through to delivery. Working closely with strategists, 2D creatives, producers and technical teams, you’ll help turn strong ideas into experiences that are as practical as they are impactful.

This is a hands‑on role for someone who enjoys solving problems through design and isn’t afraid to get stuck in. We’re looking for someone who brings more than strong execution - someone with the conceptual thinking to shape ideas from the outset and see opportunities others might miss. You’ll take ownership of projects, support and challenge the team around you, and help raise the creative standard of the work. Success means delivering thoughtful, well‑crafted design, building strong relationships with clients and colleagues, and creating experiences that people genuinely remember.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with Creative Strategists and our multidisciplinary design team to shape creative ideas and solutions based on insight and audience.
• Foster innovation within the creative team by sharing your perspective and opinion.
• Lead projects from a spatial design perspective.
• Communicate ideas, thoughts and concepts through sketches and diagrams.
• Produce atmospheric visualisations and animations, through form, lighting and materiality.
• Partner with internal Production teams and external contractors to develop concepts and realize them on‑site.
• Deliver detailed technical drawings while maintaining a thorough understanding of site, construction and budget constraints.
• Mentor junior team members, providing clear direction and actionable feedback.
• Present ideas and narratives with confidence and clarity.
• Build strong client relationships

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• Prior experience in an agency environment, working across a range of clients, understanding established brand guidelines while consistently striving to push creative boundaries.
• A passionate designer and original creative thinker at heart, combining exceptional interpersonal skills with a highly flexible and adaptable approach.
• Advanced knowledge of 2D Technical Drawing and 3D Modelling in CAD software, ideally Vectorworks.
• Advanced knowledge of 3D Visualisation, ideally Enscape and or Unreal Engine.
• Ability to approach opportunities from a multidisciplinary perspective building good internal relationships.
• Possess exceptional design sensibilities alongside an up‑to‑date knowledge of contemporary trends.
• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of core design principles; scale, proportion, and spatial arrangement.
• Advanced understanding of materiality and detailing.
• Adept at designing across all project scales, from premium high‑end experiences to temporary small‑scale installations.
• Unafraid to try, experiment and sometimes fail. Embrace our spirit of Independent Creativity.
• A curious mindset toward incorporating AI to enhance workflows, combined with a continuous interest in emerging creative technologies.