Experience Strategist [AQ-13325]

About the role

Aquent is partnering with a global leader in technology innovation to lead the strategic conceptualization and design execution for high-impact physical retail environments. This role offers the chance to shape the future of physical retail experiences for a cutting-edge hardware portfolio, creating magical connections between innovative technology and users. You will oversee the strategic direction and holistic visual expression from concept to opening, defining customer journeys, crafting immersive environments, and bringing designs to life across 2D and 3D platforms, including hands-on prototyping.

Responsibilities

• Define and map end-to-end customer journeys within physical footprints, optimizing traffic flow, discovery zones, and high-engagement touchpoints.
• Author experience briefs and interaction frameworks that integrate digital demos, interactive displays, and physical product storytelling.
• Analyze consumer data, regional retail trends, and post-occupancy studies to inform layout optimizations and creative campaigns.
• Translate strategic frameworks into directives for Spatial Designers, Graphic Designers, and Prototypers, ensuring alignment with core user goals.
• Establish engagement KPIs and evaluation frameworks to measure the effectiveness of retail experiences and interactive storytelling.
• Package complex strategic concepts into narrative-driven presentations for senior leadership to secure program backing.
• Develop comprehensive 3D spatial concepts, floor plans, and fixture designs for flagship retail locations and scaled footprints.
• Create high-fidelity 3D models, architectural renderings, and fly-through visualizations to communicate spatial intent and material finishes.
• Select and specify physical materials, lighting elements, and fabrication finishes aligned with sustainability and premium design standards.
• Author detailed design intent packages, elevation drawings, and plan views for hand-off to external fabrication vendors.
• Review physical prototypes, material samples, and on-site mockups to ensure execution matches design quality and spatial dimensions.
• Drive overarching design concepts, vision decks, and mood boards for large-scale retail initiatives, ensuring alignment with global brand directives.
• Establish scalable 2D design systems, typographic guidelines, and color frameworks for varied physical dimensions and architectural constraints.
• Oversee visual strategy and creative direction for flagship window displays and key visual merchandising touchpoints.
• Direct print production and proofing processes, setting engineering and color standards for flawless execution.
• Present design strategies and creative solutions to senior leadership and regional stakeholders to secure buy-in.
• Execute production-ready 2D graphic assets, typographic layouts, and artwork for retail displays, localized signage, and promotional fixtures.
• Implement global brand guidelines with meticulous consistency across all physical touchpoints.
• Prepare clean, accurate mechanical files for vendor hand-off, factoring in bleed lines, resolution, and color profiles (CMYK/Pantone).
• Collaborate with the creative production team to review physical material samples, print proofs, and color draw-downs.
• Lead rapid creative ideation, prototyping retail fixtures, and executing light construction in a dedicated prototyping facility.
• Manage digital and physical look-and-feel iterations, construct scale mock-ups, handle large format printing, and manage 3D printing execution.

Requirements

• Proven experience in strategic conceptualization, spatial design, and execution for high-impact physical retail environments.
• Expertise in defining customer journeys, traffic flow, and engagement touchpoints.
• Strong background in developing phygital strategies and interaction frameworks.
• Ability to translate consumer data and retail trends into actionable design insights.
• Demonstrated experience orchestrating complex design frameworks and leading cross-functional teams (Spatial Designers, Graphic Designers, Prototypers).
• Proficiency in 3D spatial concepts, floor plans, and fixture design.
• Experience with 3D visualization, rendering, and material specification.
• Hands-on prototyping experience, including light construction, scale mock-ups, large format printing, and 3D printing.
• Excellent stakeholder communication and presentation skills, capable of securing buy-in from senior leadership.
• Meticulous brand stewardship and quality oversight from ideation to physical proofing.

Skills

• Software Proficiency: Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat), Figma, SketchUp, SolidWorks, Rhino, Miro, and cloud-based productivity software.
• Technical Prototyping Skills: Experience with 3D printers, 2D printers/cutters (e.g., 60” inkjet, vinyl cutter), fabrication equipment (e.g., CNC, Laser Cutter), woodworking tools (e.g., table saw, bandsaw), and general hand tools. Familiarity with visual display technologies (e.g., digital projectors, LED panels, touchscreens).

About Aquent Talent

Aquent Talent connects top talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world’s biggest brands. Eligible talent gain access to benefits such as subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. Free online training is also available through Aquent Gymnasium.