*When submitting your application please ensure that you include a copy of your portfolio in a PDF format.
POSITION PURPOSE
The Senior Global Visual Merchandising Designer will lead the creative conceptualisation and development of all visual merchandising initiatives including retail campaigns, merchandising incentives, installations, photographic sets, and events.
The candidate must have strong conceptual and three-dimensional design skills with a proven ability to take concepts from conception to completion and experience directing and liaising with external fabricators to ensure designs are fabricated to the Aesop’s aesthetic code. The candidate is expected to participate in initiatives that will enhance our brand image and advocate the Aesop standards ensuring meticulous detail, quality and consistency are observed across all channels.
The ideal candidate will come from a three-dimensional design background and will have experience a retail environment, scenography or a similar role. Excellent project management skills are essential as well as the ability to manage multiple campaigns across large territories. This role will be responsible for communicating information that is critical to the success of the visual merchandising displays and providing training, ensuring the Aesop visual language is consistently maintained across all newly opened doors.
Working closely with Marketing, Art Direction, Store Design and VM to realise all aspects of campaign executions and new store expansion across our retail locations, you will always act as a strong Aesop brand ambassador. This is a full-time role, located in Tokyo.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• In collaboration with the Creative Director and Head of VM and Brand Environment, develop three dimensional spatial plans, scenography and supporting documentation for VM Guidelines and installations that are inherently Aesop in tone and elevate the storytelling and communications intent.
• Lead rendering for the Creative department located in the Tokyo Office through 3D expertise and innovation.
• As required, lead concept, design and prototyping of Aesop New Product Launch packaging.
• Close mentoring and coaching of junior members of the global VM team specifically in relation to 3D Design and technical rendering skills on a regular basis to upskill the collective.
• Work collaboratively with the Head of VM and Brand Environment to provide creative and poetic solutions to enhance campaign themes that assist in increasing visibility of the product and traffic within store and online.
• Design and manage the fabrication of sets for photography and installations and styling in-situ.
• Guide junior team members at the Tokyo Office through merchandising plans for both store openings and the life of the store to ensure that the everyday instore experience is clearly articulated and maintained across all markets.
• Produce merchandising plans to ensure that all new product and marketing initiatives are effective and executed to Aesop code.
• Producing tender documents, presentations and prototypes that communicate conceptual idea’s.
• Construction (CAD) documentation and specification of visual merchandising incentives to a meticulous detail and industry standard to ensure external fabricators can produce to Aesop code with no aesthetic compromises.
• Assist in the development of brand guidelines to ensure conceptual ideas can be interpreted and delivered globally to a high standard.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with internal stakeholders
• Develop strategic initiatives and processes to increase operational excellence
• Work closely with immediate manager and ensure they are kept informed of the relevant developments
• Advocate and uphold Aesop’s aesthetic codes, culture.
• General assistance with Administrative tasks, detail reports, as required.
REQUIRED SKILLS
• A strong three-dimensional understanding and vocabulary.
• Five+ years previous experience in visual merchandising or interior styling.
• A creative individual with excellent conceptual skills from an architectural or product (industrial) design background.
• Spatial planning skill and experience.
• Excellent construction (fabrication) documentation skills; highly detailed to industry standards.
• Experience liaising and communicating conceptual ideas to external fabricators and evidence of an acute understanding of fabrication methods.
• Strong cross-functional communication skills working within a wider team and internationally
• Excellent organisational skills; the proven ability to take ideas from concept to completion.
• Experience and dedication in delivering projects on time and within budget
• The ability for abstract thought; to think outside the box.
• Good verbal, visual and written communication skills and an ability to communicate visual and conceptual ideas graphically and using CAD.
• A meticulous level of details in all endeavours.
• A drive for perfection and a willingness to explore.
• A positive, collegial energy – one that supports the team, the vision of Visual Merchandising at Aesop and the broader business objectives.
• An ability to build good rapport with key cross functional teams.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
• A degree in three-dimensional design such as architecture, interior design or product design.
• Experience in set or exhibition design would be advantageous
• Photographic Styling Experience.
• Material Fabrication Experience
• An interest in art, design and culture
• Adobe Creative Suite and CAD software 2D & 3D to high level
• 5+ years of relevant experience