Who We Are:
Frieze is the world’s leading platform for modern and contemporary art, dedicated to artists, galleries, collectors and art lovers alike. Frieze comprises three magazines – frieze, Frieze Masters Magazine and Frieze Week – and seven international art fairs – Frieze London, Frieze Masters, Frieze New York, Frieze Los Angeles, Frieze Seoul, The Armory Show and EXPO Chicago. Legacy art fair brands The Armory Show and EXPO Chicago were acquired by Frieze in September 2023. In October 2021, Frieze also launched No.9 Cork Street, a permanent space for visiting international galleries in the heart of Mayfair, London.
At Frieze we believe art is vital to communities and cultures. Bringing together galleries, artists, institutions, and art lovers all over the world to make art flourish.
Frieze is part of the IMG network. IMG is a global leader in sports, fashion, events, and media and is a subsidiary of Endeavor, a global entertainment, sports and content company.
About The Frieze Production Department
The Production team are responsible for delivering all physical elements of the fairs and ensuring it’s safe, timely and successful delivery. This team is an operational one, based in London, made up of two distinct subsets, with a Head of Department for each:
Exhibitor Production – focuses on all production elements related to the Exhibitors at the fairs, including; booth builds, complex artwork installation, technical support, drafting, floor planning, art shipping logistics, Frieze Sculpture management, production schedules (venue builds), Health & Safety.
Fair Production – encompasses all other areas of the fair, including; tent builds & related infrastructure, F&B, contract management, Partnership lounge support/production, other non-gallery build, fair design, site infrastructure, security, cleaning, contractor management, production schedule (tent builds), Health & Safety.
Frieze FRAME – this newly formed department, although working closely with the above teams, is a stand-alone team who will act as the Frieze in-house production agency. FRAME will primarily be sold to existing and new sponsors across the Frieze Fairs portfolio, offering a turn-key production management service for their on-site brand activations.
Frieze FRAME is a newly created department at Frieze, and the Experiences Designer will play a key role to set up the design team. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in transforming concept briefs and mood boards into spatial designs that enhance Frieze’s guest experience and maximise ROI for our clients – sponsors of the events. Your responsibilities will extend beyond design and visualisation to include a deep understanding of materials, production processes, and their implications on the physical space.
Key Responsibilities And Accountabilities
- Take a leading role on projects, collaborating closely with clients, project managers, and internal stakeholders to understand project requirements, objectives, and target audience demographics.
- Conceptualize and design branded activations, lounges, and interactive installations that align with client branding and messaging.
- Integrate interactive elements, multimedia content, and technology solutions into spatial designs to enhance engagement and create memorable experiences for guests.
- Create mood boards, concept sketches and renderings to visually communicate ideas and product features to key stakeholders and suppliers.
- Present design concepts and proposals to clients, with a clear narrative and rationale for design decisions, incorporating feedback to refine and finalise designs.
- Create 2D and 3D visualisations, including floor plans, renderings, and mood boards, to convey design concepts to internal and external stakeholders.
- Develop detailed spatial layouts, floor plans, and renderings using 3D modelling software (e.g., SketchUp, Rhino, Cinema 4D) to visualize design concepts and communicate ideas effectively.
- Work closely with the production manager to accommodate budget and time constraints, while ensuring the creative vision is honoured.
- Collaborate with production and fabrication teams on material selection, colour schemes, and finishes that align with the brand's identity and target audience. Provide guidance and support throughout the fabrication and installation process to ensure seamless execution of design concepts.
- Collaborate with production and external suppliers on AV equipment, lighting and rigging, advising on desired effect and placement
- Consider and recommend sustainable initiatives and materials when designing projects
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and travel as required
- When on-site, longer working hours will be required
Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in 2D floorplans and 3D spatial design, with a focus on experiential marketing and brand activations
- Experience taking projects from initial concept right to final design and execution
- Strong portfolio showcasing previous work in experiential design, including spatial layouts, renderings, and interactive installations
- A commercial understanding with the skills to design concepts for brands that reinforce brand messaging
Skills And Abilities
Mandatory
- Proficiency in 3D modelling software, such as Vectorworks, Sketchup, Rhino, Cinema 4D, or similar tools, as well as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts and rationale with enthusiasm and expertise.
- Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks, manage timelines, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- Solid understanding of production, build and the technical aspects of the design process.
- Team player with the ability to foster strong relationships with cross-functional teams
- High cultural radar with a finger on the pulse across all areas of art, design, music, and culture
Qualifications And Training
- Bachelor's degree in Interior Design, Architecture, Exhibition Design, or related field preferred (Mandatory)
- CAD software training (Mandatory)
- Strong portfolio of past projects (Mandatory)
- Previous experience working in the art world (Desirable)
- Previous experience working on brand activations (Desirable)
Our Diversity & Inclusion Statement
Frieze unites people in our love of the arts. We understand this can only be accomplished when we harness the entirety of our company and lead with a lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything we do.
As a global company that drives culture, we are committed to practicing anti-discrimination including race, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability, together with artists, writers, and cultural practitioners from all backgrounds.
There is still much work to be done to address systemic inequality and discrimination within the arts and culture industry, and we are dedicated to making progress to both within our own organization and the art world at large.
