Senior 3D Designer Houston, TX

2020 Exhibits, Inc.; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

2020 Exhibits, Inc. seeks a Senior 3D Designer to transform client briefs into compelling, buildable exhibit environments. You will develop concepts, floor plans, elevations, and renderings that align with brand, budget, and schedule.

You’ll collaborate with Account Executives, estimators, fabrication, graphics, and installation teams to deliver cohesive environments from concept to installation, ensuring every detail supports the client experience.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in exhibit or experiential design with a strong portfolio.
• Ability to translate briefs into presentation-ready designs.
• Experience designing custom trade show exhibits.

Responsibilities

• Develop 3D concepts for trade show exhibits and branded environments.
• Create floor plans, elevations, 3D models, renderings, and presentations.
• Design environments reflecting brand, audience, and budget.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to turn concepts into finished environments.
• Support client presentations and respond to feedback.

Skills

Exhibit design

3D modeling

Rendering

Presentation visuals

Project coordination

Tools

3ds Max

Vectorworks

Cinema 4D

AutoCAD

Photoshop

Illustrator

Job description

At 2020 Exhibits, we create custom trade show exhibits, branded environments, corporate interiors, and experiential projects that move from concept to real-world execution.

We are looking for an experienced Senior 3D Designer who understands that great exhibit design is about more than creating a beautiful rendering. It is about developing creative environments that are compelling, functional, buildable, shippable, installable, and successful for the client.

As part of our design team, you will work closely with Account Executives, estimating, project management, graphics, fabrication, and installation teams to turn creative concepts into finished environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop creative 3D concepts for custom trade show exhibits, branded environments, corporate interiors, and experiential projects
• Translate client briefs, RFPs, sales concepts, and sketches into thoughtful, presentation-ready design solution
• Create floor plans, elevations, 3D models, renderings, and presentation materials
• Design environments that reflect the client's brand, objectives, audience, budget, and overall experience
• Develop creative solutions for unique footprints, complex spaces, and challenging project requirements
• Incorporate architecture, custom millwork, graphics, lighting, technology, furniture, signage, and interactive elements into cohesive designs
• Lead complex design assignments with a high level of creative ownership and independent decision-making
• Design with a strong understanding of materials, finishes, fabrication methods, construction, lighting, graphics, and structural considerations
• Collaborate with estimating and fabrication teams to develop creative solutions that are realistic, cost-effective, and buildable
• Consider fabrication, packing, shipping, installation, dismantling, storage, and reuse as part of the design process
• Make informed design decisions based on budget, production capabilities, material availability, and installation requirements
• Participate in client presentations and clearly communicate design concepts, functionality, materials, and the overall experience
• Work with Account Executives to develop compelling creative presentations and respond effectively to client feedback
• Collaborate across departments to identify potential challenges early and help reduce unnecessary revisions during production
• Contribute fresh ideas, creative thinking, and constructive feedback to the broader design team

Requirements

• 5+ years of professional experience in exhibit design, experiential design, environmental design, branded environments, or a related field
• Strong portfolio demonstrating sophisticated 3D design, spatial thinking, branded environments, and presentation-quality visualization
• Experience designing custom trade show exhibits or experiential environments strongly preferred
• Proficiency with professional 3D modeling and rendering software such as 3ds Max, Vectorworks, Cinema 4D, AutoCAD, or comparable platforms
• Strong Adobe Creative Suite skills, particularly Photoshop and Illustrator
• Working knowledge of exhibit fabrication, materials, finishes, lighting, graphics, and construction methods
• Ability to read and interpret floor plans, elevations, architectural drawings, and technical information
• Strong understanding of scale, proportion, traffic flow, sightlines, functionality, and attendee experience
• Ability to design within defined budgets and understand how creative decisions affect project cost
• Strong presentation, communication, and collaboration skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines
• Strong attention to detail while maintaining the overall creative vision
• Ability to work independently while collaborating closely with cross-functional teams

Experience That Will Set You Apart

Experience with any of the following is highly valued:

• Large island and peninsula exhibits
• Double-deck exhibits and overhead structures
• Corporate environments and branded interiors
• Custom millwork, metal, and specialty fabrication
• SEG, tension fabric, and large-format graphics
• LED displays, specialty lighting, and integrated technology
• Interactive and experiential activations
• Hospitality, lounge, demonstration, and meeting spaces
• Reusable and modular exhibit systems
• Designing projects to specific construction and production budgets
• Working directly with fabrication teams
• Presenting design concepts directly to clients
• Seeing projects through from concept development to installation

What We Offer

• The opportunity to work on a wide variety of creative and technically challenging projects
• Direct collaboration with our in-house estimating, project management, fabrication, graphics, and installation teams
• The ability to see your designs move from concept and rendering to finished physical environments
• A collaborative, creative, and fast-paced work environment
• Opportunities for professional growth and development

At 2020 Exhibits, our designers do not work in a vacuum. You will collaborate directly with the people responsible for estimating, building, managing, shipping, and installing the projects you design.

We are looking for someone who is creative, confident, practical, curious, and collaborative. Someone who can push an idea creatively while also asking: Can we build it? Can we install it? Does it work for the client? Can we deliver it within the budget?

If you enjoy creating environments that move beyond the computer screen and become real experiences, we would love to hear from you.