Meet Grade A Design – a multi-disciplinary design studio based in the Tri-State Area, best known for pushing the boundaries of every box. Our clients in the lifestyle and beauty industries rely on us for fresh concepts, brand-driven creativity, and technical prowess. We 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 help conceptualize, develop, and execute impactful retail, visual merchandising, and experiences that drive consumer engagement. This role requires a self-starter with a strong understanding of US and Global retailers and deep knowledge of visual merchandising, space planning, and in-store communication strategies.

The ideal candidate will have a balance of creative vision and technical execution skills, ensuring that all work aligns with brand storytelling, retailer specifications, and industry best practices.

This role requires cross-functional collaboration with internal teams and external partners to ensure on-brand, high-quality retail executions.

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:

○ Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)

○ 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.

Featured Benefits:

● Medical insurance

● Vision insurance

● Dental insurance

● Paid time off that includes Vacation Time Off, Annual Sick Days, and Holidays

Interested? Apply now and share your portfolio!

Job Type: Full-time