3D Exhibit Designer

3D Exhibit Designer

Detroit, MI (can be remote)

Salary:

$50-62.50 Hourly

We are seeking a visionary 3D Exhibit Designer with a passion for crafting unforgettable, narrative-driven experiential environments that drive deep consumer engagement. In this role, you will conceptualize, design, and deliver immersive 3D exhibit experiences for trade shows, corporate events, conferences, and live brand activations. You will transform client briefs into highly interactive, emotionally resonant spaces that use powerful storytelling to captivate audiences, forge meaningful brand-consumer connections, and generate measurable engagement outcomes. This hands-on creative position demands deep expertise in the trade show and live event industry, mastery of 3D design tools, and a proven ability to shape compelling brand stories that turn passive visitors into active participants and lifelong brand advocates.

Key Responsibilities
Lead the creation of innovative 3D experiential concepts and fully immersive exhibit designs specifically engineered to maximize consumer engagement through masterful storytelling at trade shows, live events, and experiential marketing campaigns.
Develop narrative-driven environments that guide consumers through intentional story arcs, using spatial sequencing, sensory cues, and dramatic reveals to create emotional journeys and memorable brand moments.
Design interactive exhibits that blend physical space, digital technology, and compelling storytelling to encourage hands-on participation, emotional connection, and authentic brand immersion.
Create high-quality 3D models, photorealistic renderings, animations, and virtual walkthroughs that vividly communicate the experiential flow, storytelling beats, engagement touchpoints, and audience interaction opportunities.
Collaborate with clients, account teams, project managers, fabricators, and AV specialists to ensure every design element serves the overarching brand narrative while prioritizing consumer engagement metrics such as dwell time, interaction rates, social sharing, and lead conversion.
Select materials, finishes, lighting, interactive technologies (AR/VR, touchscreens, motion sensors, gamification), and multisensory features that enhance and reinforce the brand story within real-world functionality and budget constraints.
Stay ahead of trends in experiential design, consumer behavior insights, narrative architecture, sustainable interactive materials, and emerging technologies that amplify storytelling and audience participation.
Present design concepts with a strong focus on the consumer engagement and storytelling strategy, using compelling visuals, experiential narratives, and data-backed rationale to win client approval.
Manage multiple high-visibility projects simultaneously while maintaining an obsessive focus on experiential quality, narrative coherence, and deadline delivery.
 

Qualifications & Experience
Minimum 5 years of professional experience working as a 3D Exhibit Designer (or equivalent role) specifically within the trade show and live event industry, with a demonstrated track record of designing high-engagement, narrative-driven experiential activations.
Strong portfolio showcasing successful 3D exhibit designs that delivered exceptional consumer engagement through powerful brand storytelling for major trade shows, corporate events, or brand experiences (portfolio required at time of application).
Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Architecture, Interior Design, Exhibit Design, Experiential Design, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience).
Expert proficiency in 3D design software including:
AutoCAD / Revit
Rhino 3D
3ds Max or Cinema 4D
Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
Rendering engines such as V-Ray, Enscape, or Lumion
Preferred Skills & Attributes
Deep expertise in brand storytelling, narrative architecture, and experiential sequencing that transforms exhibits into destination experiences and emotional journeys.
Proven success integrating interactive technologies, immersive digital elements, and physical interactions to bring brand stories to life and boost audience participation and connection.
Strong understanding of consumer psychology, storytelling principles, and engagement design that turns spaces into vehicles for authentic brand narratives.
Knowledge of trade show regulations, fire codes, ADA compliance, structural engineering, and fabrication processes, all viewed through the lens of optimizing consumer flow, narrative pacing, and engagement.
Experience using engagement data and post-event metrics to refine storytelling approaches and elevate future designs.
Exceptional communication, storytelling, and client-presentation skills with the ability to articulate the “why” behind every narrative and experiential decision.
Thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment with strong problem-solving skills and a relentless focus on creating memorable, story-rich consumer moments.
Genuine passion for experiential design and excitement for translating brand stories into physical and digital spaces that inspire, educate, and connect with audiences on a deeper level.
Willingness to travel for client workshops, site visits, and event installations.
This is an exciting opportunity to shape cutting-edge experiential environments that don’t just display brands — they tell unforgettable stories, create lasting consumer connections, and drive real business impact. If you live and breathe narrative-driven experiential design and have the industry experience to bring powerful brand stories to life, we want to hear from you.

*open to remote candidates, local candidates to Detroit area are prefered with a hybrid schedule