Freelance Senior Art Director (Experiential & Immersive Design)

Responsive recruiter

RED VELVET is an independent, full-service experiential agency that specializes in creating powerful, story-driven events. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, our diverse team of creatives shares a passion for producing immersive, impactful programs that inspire genuine human connection. We partner with brands across the U.S. and internationally, blending innovation with logistics to design seamless, memorable experiences. Our philosophy is simple : every experience should tell a compelling story that connects with audiences from start to finish. Every detail, from the first click on the registration page to the final applause, is an opportunity to engage and resonate. If you're passionate about experiential design, love working with dynamic teams, and want to help brands transform their stories into unforgettable journeys, RED VELVET is the perfect place for you.

As our Senior Art Director, you'll play a crucial role in bringing our clients' stories to life. You'll lead the creative vision for experiential conferences and events, transforming brand narratives into powerful, immersive journeys that captivate audiences at every turn. You'll work closely with a small, talented team to build cohesive, interactive experiences that highlight the essence of our client's brands while creating unforgettable moments for their audiences. This is a hands-on, collaborative role where you'll design, inspire, and execute. From crafting visually dynamic main stages to designing interactive sponsor zones, your work will ensure that every element of the experience feels cohesive, compelling, and memorable.

Who You Are A storyteller at heart, who can transform brand messages into powerful event experiences that connect deeply with audiences.

A team player and effective communicator who can present ideas to clients, build relationships with designers and vendors, and lead conversations that push creative boundaries.

Passionate about industry trends, always looking for fresh ways to incorporate new technologies and engagement techniques into your work.

A hands-on, detail-oriented leader who isn't afraid to roll up your sleeves and jump into the design process to achieve the best results.

Job Responsibilities

Story-Driven Design : Lead the creative development of immersive event experiences, weaving our clients' brand narratives into every touchpoint, from registration to the final applause. Ensure that each detail visually reinforces the brand story and leaves a lasting impression.

Interactive Engagement : Design breakout sessions and workshops that go beyond traditional formats, creating interactive spaces where participants can connect, collaborate, and dive deeper into the brand's world.

Sponsor Integration : Strategically design branded sponsor zones and interactive installations that make sponsors an integral part of the event narrative, enhancing their visibility and impact in memorable ways.

Team Leadership : Mentor and guide a small team of creatives, fostering a collaborative, innovative environment that prioritizes high-quality, story-driven work.

Presentation & Collaboration : Build and present creative decks that effectively convey our vision to clients, collaborating closely with project teams, production vendors, and fabricators to bring designs to life.

Hands-On Design : Dive into key projects to provide hands-on design and creative direction, modeling best practices and ensuring every visual element aligns with the overall event strategy.

Technology Integration : Explore new technologies (e.g., AR / VR, interactive installations) to create immersive, innovative experiences that resonate with attendees and elevate the brand's impact.

On-Site Leadership : Oversee on-site installations, managing details and ensuring seamless execution, while making adjustments as needed to uphold the integrity of the design vision.

Job Requirements

10+ years of experience in experiential and event design, ideally within an agency or boutique environment focused on immersive, story-driven events.

A strong portfolio that demonstrates expertise in designing conferences, branded experiences, and interactive sessions that tell a compelling story.

3+ years of experience in a leadership role, with a demonstrated ability to guide designers through the creative process, foster collaboration, and inspire high-quality work.

Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop), Figma, Google Suite, and 3D rendering tools (e.g., Cinema4D, Blender, SketchUp).

Experience working closely with production teams and fabricators, understanding the technical requirements to bring complex designs to life.

Thank you for your interest in RED VELVET! If you've made it this far and are excited about this opportunity, please apply and complete the questionnaire!

Our interview process is designed to be thorough yet engaging. It typically includes an initial review of your application and portfolio, followed by interviews with key members of our team to ensure the best fit for both you and us. While we appreciate your interest, we kindly request no phone calls please. We will reach out to candidates who qualify for the first round of interviews.

Thank you again for considering RED VELVET - we're excited to learn more about you!

DISCLAIMER : This job description is designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by associates within this classification. It is not designed to confirm or be interpreted as a comprehensive summary of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of associates assigned to this job.

RED VELVET is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Flexible work-from-home options are available.

We offer a contract-to-hire method for Full-Time.

Flexible work from home options available.

Compensation : $40.00 - $120.00 per hour

RED VELVET

RED VELVET is a boutique, full-service experiential agency based in Austin, Texas, since 2002. Woman and minority-owned, RED VELVET specializes in creating award-winning events and activations that foster genuine human connection. Led by CEO and Chief Event Strategist Cindy Y. Lo, our diverse team of creatives collaborates with companies to craft innovative activations that drive human connections, blending creativity, technology, and strategy. From project design to full-scale production, we exceed client goals, leaving lasting impressions on audiences. Join us as we shape the future of experiential marketing.

TEAM MEMBER CRITERIA

When we are looking to expand our team, we are always looking for people who are wired in many of the same ways we are but who also possess complementary skill sets and bring diversity to our thinking, designing, and execution. If you thrive on problem-solving, taking a strategic approach to most things in life, holding yourself and others to high standards of excellence, juggling a handful of deadlines each day, and pride yourself on doing it all with optimism, you'll fit right in. Extreme organization and client-facing skills are required across all positions as well as being very comfortable and versatile across digital mediums (Google Drive, Slack, etc). Prior agency / experiential marketing and / or meeting planning industry experience is a huge plus.

BENEFITS

(ONLY applies to full-time employees)

Our company benefits and culture have been recognized by numerous organizations, and we are consistently represented in the Austin Business Journal's Best Places To Work (2013, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2025) and have also been acknowledged by M&C Magazine as one of their Best Places to work. In addition to these accolades, all full-time employees will receive the following benefits :

Competitive health plan, with premiums for employees covered and premiums for family members subsidized by RED VELVET

Monthly HSA Contribution

Complimentary financial / retirement planning assistance

401(k) Plan with Matching Contribution

Paid Membership to Industry Associations and Monthly Meetings

Monthly Cell Phone, Fuel, and Laptop Stipends

Annual Education Stipend

Sit / Stand Desk to burn calories while you work

Flexible Vacation Policy and Paid Holidays

REFERRAL BONUS!

We know that the best hire is someone you enjoy working with and is a great culture fit for our fast-paced, entrepreneur-friendly, and creative environment. If you know someone who has previous experience in the hotel industry, agency / experiential marketing and / or meeting planning industry, we want to meet them.

What's in it for you? If a referral is hired full-time and stays at least 1 year with our team, you get

$1,000 cold hard cash

on their 1 year anniversary with RED VELVET. That simple!

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