At a Glance
- Tasks: Create immersive environments and bring innovative ideas to life as a Set Designer.
- Company: Join Visual Architects, a dynamic team shaping extraordinary experiences across the UK and Europe.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, creative projects, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Work on diverse projects with a passionate team dedicated to creativity and innovation.
- Why this job: Transform concepts into reality and see your designs come to life in exciting projects.
- Qualifications: Strong portfolio in design and experience with tools like SketchUp or Rhino.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Job Type: Full Time, Permanent
Design Experiences. Shape Environments. Bring Ideas to Life. At Visual Architects, we create immersive environments, experiential activations, branded experiences, exhibitions, seasonal installations and bespoke event spaces for clients across the UK and Europe. We're looking for a creative and commercially minded Set Designer to join our growing design team. This role would suit someone from a Set Design, Exhibition Design, Spatial Design, Experiential Design or theatre set designer, IP Experience designer background who thrives on turning ideas into visually compelling environments. Whether you're designing a large-scale Christmas installation, an immersive brand activation, a luxury corporate event or a bespoke scenic environment, you'll play a key role in developing concepts that inspire clients and help bring extraordinary projects to life. If you love creating beautiful spaces, developing innovative concepts and seeing your designs become reality, we'd love to hear from you.
About The Role
As a Set Designer, you will take client briefs and transform them into engaging concepts, layouts, visualisations and proposal materials that support both project sales and delivery. You’ll work closely with our Client Account Managers, Production Team, Technical Team and Delivery Team to develop creative solutions that are visually impactful, commercially viable and operationally achievable. One of the unique aspects of this role is the opportunity to work with our extensive collection of existing scenic assets, décor, furniture, props and structures. You’ll be encouraged to creatively reimagine, refresh and repurpose these assets while also developing bespoke concepts that push creative boundaries. This is a highly varied role where no two projects are the same.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Concept Creation & Creative Development
- Develop mood boards, visual references and storytelling elements.
- Create spatial designs for events, activations, exhibitions and immersive environments.
- Explore innovative ways to deliver memorable guest and brand experiences.
- Present ideas internally and contribute to creative workshops and brainstorming sessions.
- Produce high-quality 3D renders and visual presentations.
- Create layouts, floorplans and spatial concepts.
- Develop visuals that communicate design intent clearly and effectively.
- Refine concepts based on client and internal feedback.
- Scenic & Asset Integration
- Design using both bespoke elements and existing company inventory.
- Reimagine existing stock to create fresh design solutions.
- Work closely with warehouse and production teams to understand available resources and opportunities.
- Proposal Development
- Support the creation of compelling client presentations and pitch documents.
- Produce asset picking lists and design specifications.
- Collaborate with procurement and costing teams to ensure concepts align with project budgets.
- Help create proposals that are visually exciting and commercially achievable.
- Work alongside production, technical and installation teams throughout the project lifecycle.
- Attend project meetings and design reviews.
- Support design development through to installation where required.
- Ensure designs can be delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest standard.
We're Looking For Someone Who
- Is passionate about designing environments and experiences.
- Has a strong portfolio showcasing creative thinking and visual design skills.
- Can confidently move from concept through to presentation-ready visuals.
- Understands how to balance creativity with practicality.
- Enjoys working collaboratively in a fast-paced creative environment.
- Is excited by the idea of seeing their designs brought to life.
Ideal Backgrounds
We welcome applications from candidates with experience in:
- Set Design
- Experiential Design
Software Experience
Experience with some or all of the following would be beneficial:
- SketchUp
- Rhino
Why Join Visual Architects?
At Visual Architects, you’ll have the opportunity to work on projects that genuinely make an impact. From immersive brand experiences and large-scale seasonal installations to bespoke environments and experiential activations, you’ll see your ideas move from concept sketches to real-world experiences. You’ll join a collaborative team of creatives, makers, producers and project specialists who are passionate about bringing ambitious ideas to life. If you’re looking for a role where creativity, innovation and practical design come together, we’d love to hear from you.
Set Designer in Manchester employer: Visual Architects
At Visual Architects, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and collaborative work culture where creativity thrives. As a Set Designer, you'll not only have the chance to work on impactful projects across the UK and Europe but also benefit from a supportive environment that encourages professional growth and innovation. With access to an extensive collection of scenic assets and a team of passionate creatives, you'll find unique opportunities to bring your ideas to life while developing your skills in a fast-paced, rewarding setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Set Designer in Manchester
✨Get Your Portfolio Game On Point
As an aspiring architect, your portfolio is your golden ticket. Make sure it's not just a collection of your best work, but tells a story about your design process and creative thought. Showcase a range of projects, from conceptual sketches to final renderings—think of it as a visual CV!
✨Slide into Networking Events
Architecture thrives on community connections, so keep an eye out for local architecture meetups, exhibitions, and lectures. These events are gold for meeting industry professionals, and who knows? You might just bump into someone from Visual Architects who can give you the insider scoop on their hiring process!
✨Learn the Software Inside Out
Make sure you're up to speed with design software like AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp. Being able to discuss your proficiency during interviews can really set you apart. Plus, if you can mention particular projects where you’ve used them, you’ll demonstrate both skill and practical experience.
✨Refine Your Interview Skills
Interviews for architecture roles can get quite technical, so practice answering questions about your design process and decision-making strategies. Prepare for potential design challenges they might put forward in interviews—show them you can think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions!
We think you need these skills to ace Set Designer in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills:Architecture is all about creativity and technical skills, so make sure your portfolio is front and centre! Include a range of your best projects, showcasing different styles and techniques. Don't forget to explain your design process and the challenges you overcame for each project – it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your thought process!
Tailor Your CV to Architecture:When putting together your CV, highlight relevant experience in architectural design software, like AutoCAD or Revit. Plus, if you have any internships or coursework that involved real-world projects, be sure to mention them. We want to see not just what you've done, but how it relates directly to this role at Visual Architects!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Visual Architects. Talk about specific projects or values of theirs you admire, and how you see yourself contributing to their team. We want to feel your enthusiasm – let it shine through your words!
Use Professional Terminology:Don't shy away from using industry-specific jargon that demonstrates your expertise! Terms like 'sustainability', 'scale', and 'aesthetics' can not only show your knowledge but also help you connect with the hiring team. Just ensure it's done in a way that's relatable and not overly technical, so we can see your passion clearly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Visual Architects
✨Master the Technical Questions
In an architecture interview, be ready to tackle some technical questions about building codes, design principles, and software like AutoCAD or Revit. Brush up on your knowledge of materials and components, as you might even face scenarios to solve during the interview that showcase your problem-solving skills in real-time.
✨Bring Your Portfolio to Life
Your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it not only showcases your best work but also highlights your design thinking process, from sketches to final outputs. During the interview, be prepared to discuss the projects in detail—what challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learnt.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability
In today's architecture landscape, sustainability is key. Be sure to highlight any projects that involved eco-friendly designs or your understanding of sustainable practices. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the trends but are genuinely passionate about creating a better future through your designs.
✨Engage with Your Interviewers
Architecture is a collaborative field, so showing that you're a team player is essential. When conversing with the interviewers, actively listen and respond to their ideas. This isn’t just about you showing off your skills, but also about connecting and demonstrating how well you’d fit into their team at Visual Architects.
