3D Structural & Conceptual Designer

Position Overview:

The 3D Structural & Conceptual Designer transforms client objectives and brand direction into innovative, visually compelling physical products, custom packaging, and point-of-purchase/point-of-sale displays. This role combines imaginative concept development with practical knowledge of materials, fabrication, structural design, and manufacturing.

The designer owns the creative development process from brief interpretation, initial sketches and multiple concept options through 3D renderings, prototypes, technical specifications, and a clear production handoff. Every design must be achievable in the real world, not simply attractive on screen and consider function, durability, assembly, shipping, cost, and brand requirements from the outset.

The ideal candidate brings strong experience with permanent and temporary retail displays, promotional products, and packaging, preferably for beverage, beer, wine, and spirits brands. They work closely with Creative, Account Management, Production, and manufacturing partners to balance originality, client expectations, and production feasibility.

Key Responsibilities

Concept Development & Brand Execution

• Develop original, on-brand concepts for permanent and temporary POS/POP displays, retail environments, branded merchandise, promotional products, and custom packaging.
• Interpret client briefs and, when needed, proactively develop multiple creative solutions from limited direction.
• Create sketches, presentation-ready 3D models, and realistic renderings that clearly communicate form, materials, graphics, and user experience.
• Integrate brand guidelines, typography, color, artwork, and 2D graphics into cohesive three-dimensional concepts.

Structural Design & Production Feasibility

• Design products intended for actual manufacture, accounting early for structural integrity, material properties, fabrication methods, tooling, assembly, and installation.
• Work confidently with corrugate, paperboard, rigid board, wood, metal, acrylic, plastics, and other substrates; recommend suitable materials based on function, appearance, cost, and sustainability.
• Consider dielines, folds, glue flaps, fastening methods, finishes, tolerances, pack-out, shipping, and practical manufacturing limitations.
• Collaborate with Production and suppliers to validate feasibility, identify risks, simplify construction, and refine concepts without compromising design intent.
• Balance creative impact with target budgets, manufacturability, timelines, and quality expectations.

Technical Development & Production Handoff

• Prepare accurate technical drawings, structural layouts, dielines, dimensions, material specifications, and other information required for vendor quoting and production.
• Develop or coordinate prototypes and physical mockups; evaluate fit, function, assembly, and visual execution, and incorporate feedback.
• Clean up and revise 3D models for fabrication, and provide assembly instructions or build guidance when applicable.
• Ensure production files and specifications are clear, accurate, and aligned with approved client concepts and brand standards.

Collaboration & Project Execution

• Partner with Account Management, Creative, and Production to clarify client needs, communicate design tradeoffs, and solve challenges proactively.
• Manage multiple projects and revisions simultaneously while meeting deadlines and maintaining attention to detail.
• Stay informed on display and packaging innovations, retail trends, new materials, finishes, fabrication techniques, and relevant design technology.

Key Skills & Attributes

• 5+ years of professional experience in 3D structural and conceptual design, including hands-on custom packaging design experience, preferred.
• Demonstrated portfolio featuring both 3D display/product concepts and packaging designs that progressed to prototypes or finished manufactured products.
• Proficiency with professional 3D modeling and rendering software and Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign); ability to prepare technical drawings and production specifications.
• Strong understanding of packaging and display manufacturing processes, material selection, structural construction, print production, finishing methods, and assembly requirements.
• Required experience designing production-ready custom packaging, including corrugated packaging and structural dielines; experience with folding cartons, rigid/luxury boxes, mailers, influencer kits, and retail packaging strongly preferred.
• Ability to apply brand standards and graphic-design fundamentals to three-dimensional products.
• Strong conceptual thinking, problem-solving, communication, organization, and attention to detail.
• Experience designing for beer, wine, spirits, beverage, CPG, or retail brands preferred; structural engineering experience is a plus.
• Comfort collaborating with fabricators and vendors and adapting designs based on prototype or production feedback.

Success in This Role Means:

• Creative concepts are compelling, on-brand, and realistic to manufacture.
• Projects move efficiently from concept through prototype and production with minimal avoidable redesign.
• Technical files and specifications enable clear, accurate vendor quoting and execution.
• Material, cost, assembly, and shipping considerations are addressed early in the design process.
• Creative, Account Management, Production, and suppliers work from aligned expectations and approved designs.
• Quality, deadlines, and client expectations are consistently met.

Overview of MRL:

The MRL Group is proud to be a self-started, independently owned and operated full-service Promotional Advertising Agency. We were granted PPAI Best Places to Work in 2024 and 2025 and ASI Best Places to Work in 2023, 2024 and 2025. We are an industry-awarded distributor of corporate-identity promotional merchandise, advertising specialty products, custom apparel, point of purchase displays, and point of sale items located in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

The MRL Group is a fun and dynamic work environment that is passionate about delivering well-designed, high-quality products that consistently exceed our customers’ expectations. We are looking for exceptional talent to join our team.

The MRL Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer: We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all employees thrive.