Candor House is hiring: Retail Designer in New York
Candor House, New York, NY, United States, 10261
Overview
Retail Designer, Visual Merchandising and Experiential — Location: Tri-State Area Preferred (NY, NJ, CT) – Hybrid/Remote Full-Time Position. In office 2-8 days per month.
This role is for a multi-disciplinary design studio based in the Tri-State Area. Clients in the lifestyle and beauty industries rely on the agency for fresh concepts, brand-driven creativity, and technical prowess. They specialize in branding, packaging, digital design, visual merchandising, experiential design, custom displays, 3D rendering, and more.
Role Overview
We’re looking for a Retail Designer to conceptualize, develop, and execute impactful retail environments, visual merchandising, and consumer experiences that drive engagement. This role requires a self-starter with a strong understanding of both U.S. and global retail landscapes, as well as deep expertise in visual merchandising, space planning, and in-store communication strategies.
The ideal candidate will bring a balance of creative vision and technical execution, ensuring all work aligns with brand storytelling, retailer requirements, and industry best practices.
This position reports directly to the Principal and Founder and works under the creative direction of the Creative Director. The role also involves close collaboration with internal teams and external partners to ensure all retail executions are on-brand, innovative, and high quality.
Key Responsibilities
- Support Concept to Production Design – Assist in developing and executing design concepts through all stages of production.
- 3D Renderings & Visual Communication – Create 3D renderings, diagrammatic visuals, mood boards, and material palettes to bring design concepts to life.
- Retail Strategy – Support the development of visual merchandising solutions tailored to specific retailers and consumer profiles.
- Brand Consistency – Ensure all retail activations, merchandising displays, and in-store messaging follow brand guidelines and retailer specifications.
- Planograms & Layouts – Translate and adapt creative concepts into planograms, merchandising guidelines, and fixture layouts.
- Design Presentations – Develop presentations to effectively communicate design intent and convey refined concepts to stakeholders and production teams.
- Design and Execute 2D Environmental Graphics – Create visually compelling 2D graphics that seamlessly integrate with activations and retail environments, enhancing brand storytelling and consumer engagement.
- Industry Trends – Stay updated on emerging retail trends, materials, and best practices to push creative boundaries and bring innovative ideas to the table.
- Project Management – Maintain organization of design files and deliverables to ensure smooth execution across multiple projects.
- Collaboration – Act on direction from Sr. Creative Directors and clients, and collaborate with Vendors, Operations, and other supporting designers to ensure cohesive, on-brand designs.
- Design Review Support – Assist in reviewing and redlining engineering drawings, print proofs, and production samples to ensure high-quality execution.
- Prototype & Sample Reviews – Attend Sample and Prototype reviews either in person or virtually, providing feedback and support for production.
- Technical Proficiency (Nice to Have) – Prepare production-ready files and oversee print execution, ensuring high standards for color accuracy, material choices, and final installation.
Qualifications & Skills
- 3–5 years of experience in retail design, experiential design, or visual merchandising.
- BA/BS/BFA in Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Interior Design, Environmental Design, or a related field.
- Working knowledge of brand storytelling, retail space planning, and in-store messaging hierarchy.
- Experience in beauty, fragrance, or skincare is a plus.
- Technical Expertise:
- 3D Software: SketchUp, Rhino, KeyShot (SolidWorks a plus)
- Basic understanding of print production, material specifications, and installation processes.
- Ability to prioritize multiple projects, meet tight deadlines, and adapt to fast-paced workflows.
- Excellent communication skills – able to articulate design concepts and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
- Eagerness to Learn & Expand Skillset – Demonstrates curiosity and adaptability by actively exploring new design disciplines, tools, and techniques to enhance creative problem-solving.
Why Join Us?
- Work on high-profile retail activations and experiential design projects for luxury beauty and lifestyle brands.
- Be part of a collaborative, forward-thinking team that values both creativity and technical execution.
- Opportunities for growth and skill development in retail and experiential design.
Note: Ideal candidate will be located in the Tri-State Area (NY, NJ, CT); however, freelancers outside of this region are welcome to apply.
Benefits
- Medical insurance
- Paid time off that includes Vacation Days, Annual Sick Days, Holidays
Seniority level
- Mid-Senior level
Employment type
- Full-time
Job function
- Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology
Industries
- Staffing and Recruiting