At a Glance
- Tasks: Create bold and imaginative visual experiences for Selfridges' retail environments.
- Company: Join a leading retail brand known for its innovative and creative installations.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, creative environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture with a focus on contemporary trends and innovation.
- Why this job: Shape memorable customer experiences through impactful design and creativity.
- Qualifications: Experience in spatial or installation design and strong visualisation skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
The Set Design Manager - Creative Installations plays a key role in shaping and delivering bold, imaginative and culturally relevant visual experiences across Selfridges' physical environments. Working across windows, atriums, seasonal moments and bespoke retail installations, this role is responsible for translating creative concepts into impactful and world‑class design experiences that bring the Selfridges brand to life. The role requires a strong creative eye, spatial awareness and visual storytelling ability, alongside a practical understanding of how ideas are realised within complex retail environments. It contributes to the evolution of Selfridges' creative expression through highly original and visually compelling installations that surprise, inspire and create memorable customer experiences.
Creative Concept & Design Development
- Develop bold and innovative creative concepts for windows, installations, atrium activations and seasonal retail experiences.
- Translate wider creative themes and brand narratives into visually impactful spatial and installation design.
- Create sketches, moodboards, layouts and visual presentations to communicate concepts clearly and effectively.
- Create detailed visual renders and spatial visualisations that communicate creative concepts clearly for stakeholder approval, production and installation.
- Produce high‑quality rendered visuals and technical design presentations that can be translated directly into production and build.
- Develop accurate spatial visualisations that communicate scale, materials, finishes and installation intent.
- Contribute to the ongoing evolution of Selfridges' visual identity and creative expression across physical touchpoints.
- Maintain strong awareness of cultural, retail, fashion and creative trends to inform future‑facing design ideas.
Visualisation & Presentation
- Develop high‑quality visual presentations and design narratives for internal reviews, steering meetings and sign‑off sessions.
- Clearly communicate creative ideas and installation intent to stakeholders across the business.
- Translate conceptual thinking into practical and visually compelling installation proposals.
- Support the creation of graphics and artwork in collaboration with Graphics and wider creative teams where required.
- Ensure all creative work is presented to a high professional and visual standard.
- Work closely with Production teams to ensure visual renders are feasible, actionable and aligned to installation requirements.
Installation Delivery & Cross‑Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Production, Styling, VM and wider Creative teams to ensure installations are delivered smoothly and effectively.
- Provide clear creative briefs and detailed design direction to support production and installation planning.
- Collaborate with external partners, artists and brands on creative installation projects where required.
- Support installation planning and timelines, ensuring projects are delivered on brief, on time and within budget.
- Help identify and proactively resolve creative or operational challenges throughout project delivery.
- Maintain strong collaborative relationships across creative and business teams.
Creative Leadership & Cultural Awareness
- Contribute to a culture of creative excellence, innovation and collaboration within the team.
- Stay connected to contemporary culture, design, art, fashion and experiential trends to inform creative thinking.
- Research competitor activity, emerging retail experiences and installation design trends to ensure Selfridges remains industry‑leading.
- Share ideas, inspiration and best practice across the wider team.
- Support and inspire junior team members where appropriate.
Skills & Experience
- Experience within spatial design, window design, visual merchandising, installation design, experiential design or related creative disciplines.
- Strong creative and conceptual thinking with the ability to translate ideas into impactful physical experiences.
- Strong visualisation and rendering skills with the ability to create production‑ready spatial and installation visuals.
- Experience creating rendered visualisations, sketches, moodboards and presentation materials for creative projects.
- Experience using 3D visualisation and rendering software to communicate spatial concepts and installation design.
- Ability to translate conceptual ideas into technically accurate visuals for production and build teams.
- Understanding of production processes and installation delivery within retail or experiential environments.
- Strong visual storytelling, composition and spatial awareness skills.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to clearly articulate creative ideas.
- Highly collaborative with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
- Culturally connected with a strong interest in contemporary design, fashion, art and creative trends.
- Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite including Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.
- Knowledge of CAD, 3D visualisation or rendering software would be advantageous.
- Proactive, solutions‑focused and confident working within a fast‑paced creative environment.
Set Design Manager employer: Selfridges
Selfridges is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and innovative work culture, perfect for creative minds looking to make a significant impact in the retail design space. With a commitment to employee growth, we offer opportunities for professional development and collaboration across diverse teams, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued. Located in the heart of London, our dynamic environment not only inspires creativity but also allows you to be part of a brand that is at the forefront of cultural and retail trends.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Set Design Manager
✨Show Off Your Skills with a Killer Portfolio
As a graphic designer, your portfolio is your secret weapon! Make sure it's not just a collection of your work but showcases your creative process too. Use platforms like Behance or Dribbble to share your designs and gain visibility within the design community.
✨Get Involved in Design Meetups
Networking is key in the design world! Check out local design meetups or workshops where you can connect with other creatives and potential employers. This is a goldmine for finding unadvertised job openings at companies like Selfridges.
✨Tailor Your Applications
When you’re applying for a full-time role at a creative company like Selfridges, don’t go for a one-size-fits-all approach. Ensure your application highlights specific projects or styles that align with their brand image, showing that you’re a perfect fit for their team.
✨Leverage Social Media
Don't underestimate the power of social media in landing your dream design job! Share your work on platforms like Instagram or Pinterest, and engage with accounts from your desired companies—this could put you on their radar before they start hiring.
We think you need these skills to ace Set Design Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Portfolio:Your portfolio is your visual CV! Make sure to include a link to your best design projects that showcase your creativity and versatility. Tailor it to include works that relate to the kind of design work Selfridges does, so they can see you in action.
Tailor Your CV for Design:When crafting your CV, highlight your design skills and software proficiencies, like Adobe Creative Suite or Sketch. Mention any relevant experience you have with branding, UI/UX design, or typography, as we want to see how you fit in with the creative team at Selfridges.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, share your design philosophy and what excites you about working at Selfridges. Let us know how you approach your design projects and any specific campaigns or themes that resonate with you, showing we’re not just a good fit but a perfect match!
Highlight Collaboration Skills:As a graphic designer, you often work with various teams and stakeholders. In your application, mention experiences where you've collaborated with others to bring a project to life, whether it's with clients, writers, or developers. This shows you can thrive in a team environment, which is key at Selfridges.
How to prepare for a job interview at Selfridges
✨Get Your Portfolio Ready
Your portfolio is your secret weapon in graphic design interviews! Make sure it's showing off your best work, with a variety of styles and projects that highlight different skills — from branding to digital illustration. Be prepared to talk through each piece, focusing on your creative process and the tools you used.
✨Know Your Design Tools Inside Out
Familiarity with software like Adobe Creative Suite is a must! Brush up on your skills with Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, as interviewers might dive into specific technical questions or ask for your workflow. If you’ve worked with any innovative tools or techniques, don't hesitate to showcase that expertise!
✨Prepare for Design Challenges
Some companies may throw a design challenge your way during the interview! This might involve sketching out ideas or solving a branding issue on the spot. Practising these quick thinking exercises beforehand can help us show off our creativity and adaptability.
✨Passion Counts
For a full-time position, showing genuine enthusiasm for design is key! Talk about your inspirations, the projects you're excited about, and why you're drawn to Selfridges. They want to see not just a skilled designer, but someone who'll bring passion and fresh ideas to the team.
