At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead creative direction for retail interiors, overseeing projects from concept to completion.
- Company: Award-winning B Corp design agency focused on impactful brand environments.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for career development.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on sustainability and creative excellence.
- Why this job: Shape the future of retail design with culturally significant brands and innovative projects.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in 3D space design, proficient in Cinema 4D and SketchUp.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 70000 £ per year.
Salary: Up to £70,000
Location: Shoreditch, London
Working pattern: Hybrid (minimum 3 days in studio)
Software: Cinema 4D + SketchUp
Sector: Retail Interiors, Brand Environments, Experiential Activations
About the Studio
This is a B Corp certified, award-winning design and production agency that builds brand environments with genuine purpose. They work with culturally significant names in fashion, footwear, sports, and technology, creating retail spaces and brand environments that forge real connections between brands and the communities around them. The work is grounded in research, delivered with circular principles embedded from the outset, and executed to a high standard. The team is growing, the culture is collaborative and quality-obsessed, and the briefs demand the best from the people delivering them.
About the Role
This is a genuinely senior hire. As Design Director, you will take creative leadership of the studio’s retail interiors output, overseeing projects from initial concept through to built completion and setting the standard for everything that sits below you. The focus is on permanent retail: store design, retail environments, and consumer-journey-led thinking that distinguishes great retail architecture from decoration. You will work closely alongside strategy team leads, shaping briefs into creative solutions that are commercially rigorous and genuinely original. You will also carry a line report, with responsibility to develop that person’s career thoughtfully.
Your days will look something like this...
- Lead the creative direction of retail interior and brand environment projects from concept through to built completion, maintaining the highest standards at every stage.
- Work hands-on across pinnacle projects while overseeing the creative output of the wider team on concurrent briefs.
- Oversee and direct the production of design intent packs for retail store design, ensuring architectural drawings are accurately interpreted and creatively elevated.
- Collaborate with strategy team leads to shape creative responses to briefs, bringing strong conceptual thinking and an understanding of retail consumer behaviour.
- Lead client presentations and pitches with authority, holding the creative narrative clearly and confidently from first concept to final sign-off.
- Scope and quote projects in collaboration with project managers, contributing to realistic timelines and resource planning.
- Manage, mentor, and actively develop a team spanning senior, mid-weight, and junior designers.
- Drive the studio’s creative standards and culture, influencing how the agency approaches retail design.
You might be our perfect match if...
- You have 10+ years of experience as a creative designer for 3D spaces and interiors, primarily on permanent retail environments.
- Your portfolio demonstrates a deep understanding of retail store design: consumer journey thinking, spatial resolution, design intent documentation, and end-to-end delivery.
- You are highly proficient in Cinema 4D and SketchUp, and comfortable working in Vectorworks and across Adobe Creative Suite.
- You have a proven track record of leading teams across multiple concurrent briefs.
- You have experience quoting and scoping projects and can discuss timelines, resourcing, and creative fees intelligently.
- You lead pitches and presentations with confidence.
- You are genuinely strategic: curious about industry trends, consumer insights, and the evolving relationship between brand and physical space.
Why this one
- A genuinely senior role with real creative authority, in a studio that wants this person to shape its direction.
- A portfolio of culturally significant clients across fashion, culture, sports, and technology.
- B Corp certified and sustainability-led: the circular design thinking here is real and interesting to work within.
- A growing studio at an inflection point, with a London base and New York presence.
- A hybrid model that respects the need for studio time and focused independent working.
Design Director employer: TwentyOne Twelve
As a Product Design & Innovation Manager at this renowned London brand, you will thrive in a vibrant and supportive work culture that values creativity and joy. With a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, you will have the opportunity to lead a talented team, shape innovative products, and build processes that reflect your vision. The hybrid working model allows for flexibility while being part of a close-knit team dedicated to crafting unique, collectable designs that resonate with a global audience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks, attend design events, and join online forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Design Director gig.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Make sure it’s up-to-date and highlights your best work in retail interiors. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let your designs do the talking.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You’ll need to lead client presentations with confidence, so rehearse how you’ll present your ideas. Be clear about your creative vision and how it aligns with their brand.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’re all about finding the right fit, so don’t hesitate to submit your application directly. It shows initiative and gives us a chance to see your passion for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Portfolio:Your portfolio is your best friend in this application process! Make sure it highlights your experience with retail interiors and showcases your creative flair. We want to see how you’ve tackled projects from concept to completion, so don’t hold back!
Tailor Your Application:Take a moment to tailor your application to the role. Use the job description as a guide and sprinkle in keywords that resonate with us. This shows you’ve done your homework and understand what we’re looking for in a Design Director.
Be Authentic:We love authenticity! When writing your application, let your personality shine through. Share your passion for design and how you connect with brand environments. We want to know what makes you tick and why you’d be a great fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our studio and what we stand for.
How to prepare for a job interview at TwentyOne Twelve
✨Know Your Portfolio Inside Out
Make sure you can discuss your portfolio in detail, especially the projects that showcase your experience in retail interiors. Be ready to explain your design choices and how they align with consumer journey thinking.
✨Research the Studio's Values
Familiarise yourself with the studio's B Corp certification and their commitment to sustainability. Be prepared to discuss how your design philosophy aligns with their circular principles and how you can contribute to their mission.
✨Prepare for Creative Leadership Questions
Expect questions about your leadership style and how you mentor junior designers. Think of specific examples where you've successfully led a team or influenced a project’s direction, showcasing your ability to elevate the work around you.
✨Practice Your Presentation Skills
Since you'll be leading client presentations, practice articulating your creative narrative clearly and confidently. Consider doing mock presentations to friends or colleagues to refine your delivery and ensure you can win a room.
