Freelance Senior Environmental Design Director

Freelance Senior Environmental Design Director; Austin (TX); Remote; USD 55,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work-from-home options are as

Contract-to-hire for full-time

Equal Opportunity Employer

Job summary

RED VELVET in Austin seeks an Environmental Design Director to lead the creative vision for immersive conferences and events, shaping spaces that tell brand stories and inspire attendees. You’ll integrate 2D visuals with 3D environments, mentor a small team, collaborate with vendors and clients, and explore AR/VR tech to elevate experiences.

This hands-on leadership role emphasizes collaboration, storytelling, and delivering moments that resonate across touchpoints, with a flexible

Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in spatial/environmental design with a strong portfolio.
• Proficiency in 2D visual design; Adobe Creative Suite essential.
• Experience with 3D rendering tools and spatial visualization.
• 5+ years leading creative direction on immersive projects.
• Proven ability to work with production teams and vendors.
• Strong communication skills to present to clients and stakeholders.
• Collaborative mindset and ability to lead with others.

Responsibilities

• Lead the creative development of immersive event environments and think in three dimensions.
• Develop 2D visual language and design systems that reinforce the spatial concept.
• Design breakout sessions and workshops for interactive experiences.
• Create branded sponsor zones and interactive installations.
• Build and present design decks; collaborate with vendors and fabricators.
• Explore AR/VR and other technologies to enhance attendee experiences.
• Oversee on-site installations and ensure design integrity.

Skills

Spatial thinking

Collaboration

Communication

Storytelling

Presentation to clients

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

SketchUp

Rhino

Cinema4D

Blender

Job description

RED VELVET is an independent, full-service experiential agency that specializes in creating powerful, story-driven events and activations. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, our diverse team of creatives shares a passion for producing immersive, impactful programs that inspire genuine human connection. We partner with brands across the U.S. and internationally, blending innovation with logistics to design seamless, memorable experiences. Our philosophy is simple: every experience should tell a compelling story that connects with audiences from start to finish. Every detail, from the first click on the registration page to the final applause, is an opportunity to engage and resonate. If you're passionate about experiential design, love working with dynamic teams, and want to help brands transform their stories into unforgettable journeys, RED VELVET is the perfect place for you.

As our Environmental Design Director, you'll lead the creative vision for experiential conferences and events, designing immersive environments where brand narratives come to life. You think in space: how people move through it, how they interact with it, how technology and design elements live within it. But you also think visually, because 2D design is integral to the environments you conceive, not separate from them. You'll work closely with a talented team to build cohesive, interactive experiences that highlight the essence of our client's brands while creating unforgettable moments for their audiences. This is a hands-on, collaborative role where you'll conceptualize, design, inspire, and execute.

Who You Are

A spatial thinker first. Someone who visualizes how people experience a space, how design elements guide movement and emotion, how interactive moments live within an environment. You are able to express your ideas in 3D software.

A visual designer, second. Proficient in 2D design languages, able to create compelling graphics, comps, and design decks, because the visuals you create support and reinforce the spatial concept you're leading.

A storyteller who transforms brand messages into immersive environments that connect deeply with audiences across every touchpoint.

A team player and effective communicator who can present ideas to clients, build relationships with partners and vendors, and lead conversations that push creative boundaries.

Aware of and interested in industry trends and emerging technologies (AR/VR, interactive installations, spatial design tools), always looking for fresh ways to enhance immersive experiences. (NOTE: we have received applicants with only/primary experience in this area. RED VELVET is on the emerging end of this spectrum, but this is not a core competency, nor do we expect it to be in the near future. Said another way, we are in need of an ambidextrous creative lead, vs. a tech-driven one).

A hands-on, detail-oriented leader who isn't afraid to roll up your sleeves, dive into design work, model best practices, and collaborate closely with team members to achieve the best results.

Job Responsibilities

• Spatial Concepting & Leadership: Lead the creative development of immersive event environments, thinking in three dimensions about how spaces tell stories. Conceptualize interactive zones, participant flow, and how design elements create emotional moments. Ensure spatial integrity from concept through execution.
• Visual Integration: Develop the 2D visual language that lives within the environments you conceive. Create design comps, graphics, and visual systems that reinforce the spatial narrative. Ensure visual cohesion across all touchpoints from registration to on-site experience.
• Interactive Engagement: Design breakout sessions and workshops that go beyond traditional formats, creating interactive spaces where participants can connect, collaborate, and dive deeper into the brand’s world.
• Sponsor Integration: Strategically design branded sponsor zones and interactive installations that make sponsors an integral part of the event narrative, enhancing their visibility and impact in memorable ways.
• Presentation & Collaboration: Build and present creative decks that effectively convey our vision to clients, collaborating closely with project teams, production vendors, and fabricators to bring designs to life.
• Technology Integration: Explore new technologies (e.g., AR/VR, interactive installations) to create immersive, innovative experiences that resonate with attendees and elevate the brand’s impact.
• On-Site Leadership: Oversee on-site installations, managing details and ensuring seamless execution, while making real-time adjustments as needed to uphold the integrity of the design vision while adapting to on-site realities.

Job Requirements

• Demonstrated expertise in spatial/environmental design, with a portfolio showing strong conceptual thinking in three dimensions and how you've solved for participant experience, flow, and interaction within physical spaces.
• Proficiency in 2D visual design and graphic design. You can sketch concepts, create compelling design comps, and develop visual language. Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) is essential.
• Experience with 3D rendering and spatial visualization tools (SketchUp, Rhino, Cinema4D, Blender, or similar). You think and communicate in 3D.
• 5+ years of experience in experiential design, event design, or a related field where you've led creative direction on immersive projects. (We're looking for capability, not years; We'll know it when we see it.)
• Proven ability to work closely with production teams, fabricators, and technical partners. You understand how spatial design translates into physical reality and the constraints that matter.
• Strong communication skills. You can present to clients, advocate for creative decisions, and explain spatial/visual thinking in ways that resonate with both creative and non-creative stakeholders.
• Collaborative mindset. You thrive in a small, talented team environment and can partner closely without ego.

Our interview process is designed to be thorough yet engaging. It typically includes an initial review of your application and portfolio, followed by interviews with key members of our team to ensure the best fit for both you and us. While we appreciate your interest, we kindly request no phone calls, please. We will reach out to candidates who qualify for the first round of interviews.

Thank you again for considering RED VELVET - we're excited to learn more about you!

DISCLAIMER: This job description is designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by associates within this classification. It is not designed to confirm or be interpreted as a comprehensive summary of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job.

RED VELVET is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Flexible work-from-home options are available.

We offer a contract-to-hire method for Full-Time.

Flexible work-from-home options available.

Compensation: $40.00 - $120.00 per hour