Overview

Retail Design & 3D Visualization

Hi, I'm John.
I am a 3D Visual Designer with over a decade of experience bridging the gap between Brand Strategy and Built Reality. Expert in 3D modeling and visualization, retail architectural, path-to-purchase optimization, and immersive brand events.
Professional Profile
Bridging
the gap between
the creative studio
and the reality
of the sales
floor.

Where it began...

My journey began in retail management, where I learned firsthand that a beautiful design is useless if it doesn't work for the team on the ground. That experience defined my career mission: to become the voice that connects the abstract concept with the people who are responsible for execution.

John Whittington Profile Visual Merchandiser and Management team at Pier 1 Imports
Early Career Responsible for all visuals at a Pier 1 location 50% larger than the typical store

Today...

With extensive experience spanning Architecture, Scenic Production, and Brand Activation, I combine artistic vision with technical precision. Whether managing national rollouts for Ulta Beauty or designing immersive events at Upshot Agency, I deliver environments that are inspiring, functional, and drive results.

Selected Work
Starbucks: Pop-Up Render Animation
Project

Starbucks: Pop-Up Render Animation

New Balance: In-Store Marketing Campaign
Project

New Balance: In-Store Marketing Campaign
Scotts & West Elm | Brand Integration
Project

Scotts & West Elm | Brand Integration
ULTA Beauty: National Retail Design Management
Project

ULTA Beauty: National Retail Design Management
Baker & Nosh: Bakery & Cafe
Project

Baker & Nosh: Bakery & Cafe
Constellation Brands: Large-Scale Brand Immersion
Project

Constellation Brands: Large-Scale Brand Immersion
Zevo: Elevated In-Line Brand Strategy
Project

Zevo: Elevated In-Line Brand Strategy
Newell Brands: Seasonal Endcap Strategy
Project

Newell Brands: Seasonal Endcap Strategy
Aspirational Brand Experience
Project

Aspirational Brand Experience
MEDIA LOADING...
Project

Upshot Agency: Environmental Workplace Strategy
Baker & Nosh: Phase II Culinary Education Center
Project

Baker & Nosh: Phase II Culinary Education Center
Historic Hospitality
Project

Historic Hospitality
Brand Shop In Shop
Project

Brand Shop In Shop
Raceline Motorworks: Interactive Experiential Retail
Project

Raceline Motorworks: Interactive Experiential Retail
Gensler: Retail Rollout
Project

Gensler: Retail Rollout
Godspell: Professional Scenic Design
Project

Godspell: Professional Scenic Design
Professional Expertise

Consumer
Experience

Crafting intentional touchpoints and interactive journeys that convert visitors into loyal brand advocates.

3D Modeling
& Visualization

Creating photorealistic renderings and walkthroughs that bring concepts to life before a single brick is laid.

Retail
Design & Visual
Merchandising

Designing end-to-end retail environments that prioritize customer flow, merchandising efficiency, and brand storytelling.

Experiential
Activation
& Shopper
Marketing

Pop-up stores, event spaces, and temporary installations designed for maximum impact and social sharability.

Professional History
Upshot Agency
Sr. Art Director | 3D Environments
  • Large-Scale Experiential Design: Directed the creative vision and spatial design for high-profile immersive events, including the Gold Network Summit (GNS) for Constellation Brands. Concepted, designed, and detailed environments for flagship brands, translating marketing strategies into 15,000–30,000 sq. ft. of immersive brand storytelling.
  • Technical Documentation: Developed a Design Intent drawing and specification package to guide projects from design development through pricing, scenic fabrication, and final show build.
  • Strategic Optimization: Designed flexible, modular fixture programs and standardized "kits of parts" for recurring events. Maximized budget efficiency to allocate resources toward high-impact custom experiential features.
  • Immersive Consumer Engagement: Engineered interactive environment features—including photo ops and product sampling stations—to drive consumer engagement.
  • Shopper Marketing Activation: Served as the primary 3D resource for retail activations, developing innovative 3D concepts for in-store POP displays and endcaps.
Ulta Beauty
Store Design Manager
  • Strategic Expansion: Directed the interior layout and exterior storefront design for 200+ new locations, adapting prototypes to meet specific site conditions, tenant guidelines, and local codes.
  • Concept Presentations: Presented architectural floor plans, merchandising strategies, and proposed storefront visuals to the CEO and executive team.
  • Essential Alignment: Engineered and populated a central database of 100,000+ physical store attributes across 1,000+ locations, driving a consistent and successful in-store guest experience.
Gensler
Designer
  • Retail Branding: Executed retail branding and concept development for high-profile clients (Gap, Banana Republic, Bank of America), translating brand identity into tangible consumer environments.
  • Fixture Design: Designed custom fixtures and layouts that enhanced product presentation and customer flow.
  • Project Delivery: Managed the full design lifecycle from design development (DD) through construction documentation (CD) and administration for retail spaces ranging from 1,000 to 18,000 sq. ft.
John Riley Design
Principal Designer | Freelance
  • Hospitality Design: Executed full-scope design for multiple Baker & Nosh locations and strategic space planning for Candlewood Suites.
  • Residential Projects: Delivered comprehensive design services for private residences (Johnson, Shunick), encompassing space planning, kitchen & bath design, construction documents, and 3D visualization.
  • Scenic & Theater Production: Concepts, visualization, and fabrication for diverse clients including Dana Hotel & Spa. Designed, budgeted, procured, and fabricated stage sets for seven Hubris Productions shows.
Illinois State University
Bachelor of Science
  • Interior and Environmental Design
Illinois State University
Bachelor of Science
  • Art/Theatre Production
U.S. Green Building Council
LEED AP
  • Accredited Professional