Temporary Experiential Designer – Holiday Pop-Up, Mall of America

Squishable is a close-knit team of designers, artists, pop-culture fanatics, and lovers of all things adorable. Together we create the cutest, cuddliest (and sometimes downright unusual) plush and lifestyle products in the world. With the millions-strong Squishable fan community cheering us on (and a lot of cupcakes, coffee, and karaoke) we make people say “awww.” Our offices are in a sunny SoHo loft in NYC and in downtown Washington, DC.

We’re looking for a Temporary Experiential Designer to help develop and execute an exciting holiday pop-up experience at the Mall of America.

This role will be involved from early concept development through execution, helping turn a creative idea into a physical, guest-facing experience. We’re looking for someone who can think through how the space looks, feels, functions, and ultimately comes together in the real world.

What You’ll Do

• Collaborate with our internal team on ideation, concept development, and experience design
• Translate creative concepts into practical plans for a temporary physical space
• Develop concepts for guest flow, displays, interactive elements, fixtures, signage, materials, and environmental details
• Help identify appropriate fabrication approaches, vendors, materials, and production solutions
• Partner with fabricators, contractors, production vendors, and installers to bring the approved concept to life
• Help coordinate and oversee elements of fabrication, installation, and final setup
• Jump in wherever needed as the project moves from concept to execution

What We’re Looking For

• Professional experience designing pop-ups, experiential activations, temporary retail environments, immersive spaces, sets, theatrical scenery, or comparable built environments
• Strong conceptual and visual design skills combined with an understanding of how physical environments actually get built
• Experience working with fabricators, contractors, production vendors, and/or installers
• Ability to take a creative concept and help translate it into an executable physical experience
• Familiarity with the practical constraints of temporary installations, including budget, materials, timelines, safety, durability, and installation logistics
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Comfortable working in a fast-moving, collaborative environment where plans may evolve as the project takes shape

Location

This position can be primarily remote during the design and planning phase, with collaboration taking place virtually with the Squishable team.

Some in-person work at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota may be required as the project progresses, particularly during site visits, installation, and final setup. Candidates within reasonable traveling distance of Mall of America are preferred, but we are open to considering candidates outside the area.

Position & Schedule

This is a temporary W-2 position created specifically to support Squishable’s Mall of America holiday pop-up project.

Time commitment
The total number of hours is not yet determined and will depend on the final scope of the project. We expect the engagement to span a number of weeks. Hours may vary throughout the project based on workload and project milestones, with increased availability potentially needed as we approach installation and launch.

Compensation

The pay range for this position is $35.00-$50.00 per hour, based on experience.

Approved business travel and project-related expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with company policy.

To Apply

Please submit a portfolio highlighting relevant built work or comparable temporary and experiential projects. For each project, briefly describe your specific role and responsibilities, particularly where your work involved concept development, fabrication, production management, or installation.

We’re especially interested in seeing examples that extend beyond traditional interior design or visual merchandising and demonstrate your ability to bring a creative concept into a physical, guest-facing environment.

Squishable.com, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital or familial status, military or veteran status, reproductive health decisions, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Squishable.com, Inc. also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities, for sincerely held religious beliefs and practices, and as otherwise required by applicable law. Applicants who require a reasonable accommodation during the application or hiring process may contact Squishable for assistance.

Squishable.com, Inc. prohibits retaliation against any applicant or employee for exercising rights protected under applicable equal employment opportunity laws.

Squishable.com, Inc. will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law, including applicable Fair Chance laws.

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