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Entry Level 3D Designer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

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Entry Level Scenic & Event Designer / Production Artist 2026

Lisle, IL · On-site

$20 - $30/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Entry-Level Scenic & Event Designer Pulse Studio LLC is a design previsualization firm based in ... We are looking for a strong 3D Designer to help us create stunning presentation visuals and digital ...

Structural Designer

Aurora, IL

$57K - $76K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... entry-level Structural Designer to join our Retail Display & Packaging team at the Aurora Customer ... Experience with 3D visualization and prototyping technologies. * Knowledge of sustainable packaging ...

Structural Designer

Aurora, IL · On-site

$57K - $76K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... entry-level Structural Designer to join our Retail Display & Packaging team at the Aurora Customer ... Experience with 3D visualization and prototyping technologies. * Knowledge of sustainable packaging ...

Design Engineer I

Chicago, IL · On-site

$33 - $48/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

In this entry-level role, you will collaborate with experienced engineers and designers to develop ... Proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D or similar design software is highly desirable. * Strong math and ...

Design Engineer I

Chicago, IL

$33 - $48/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

In this entry-level role, you will collaborate with experienced engineers and designers to develop ... Proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D or similar design software is highly desirable. * Strong math and ...

Design Engineer I

Chicago, IL · On-site

$33 - $48/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

In this entry-level role, you will collaborate with experienced engineers and designers to develop ... Proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D or similar design software is highly desirable. * Strong math and ...

Civil Drafter 2 - Energy & Industrial

Chicago, IL · On-site

$46K - $67K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This entry-level position will offer you the opportunity to utilize and expand your drafting skills ... on training in 3D design software environments, such as AutoCAD 3D and/or MicroStation ...

Civil Drafter 2 - Energy & Industrial

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$46K - $67K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This entry-level position will offer you the opportunity to utilize and expand your drafting skills ... on training in 3D design software environments, such as AutoCAD 3D and/or MicroStation ...

Civil Drafter 2 - Energy & Industrial

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$46K - $67K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This entry-level position will offer you the opportunity to utilize and expand your drafting skills ... on training in 3D design software environments, such as AutoCAD 3D and/or MicroStation ...

Project Engineer I

Chicago, IL · On-site

$30 - $48/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This entry-level position provides an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience in ... Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including designers, contractors, and field personnel, to ...

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Entry Level 3D Designer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

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$29

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How much do entry level 3d designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level 3d designer in Chicago, IL is $29.86, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.58 and $37.16 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an entry level 3D designer?

An Entry Level 3D Designer is a professional who creates three-dimensional models, visuals, and animations using specialized software, typically at the beginning of their career. They work under the guidance of senior designers and contribute to projects in industries such as gaming, film, architecture, and product design. Their tasks often include modeling objects, texturing, rendering, and assisting with design revisions. Strong creativity, attention to detail, and familiarity with 3D design software like Blender, Maya, or 3ds Max are important skills for this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level 3D designer?

To thrive as an Entry Level 3D Designer, you need a solid understanding of 3D modeling principles, basic design theory, and proficiency in relevant software such as Blender, Autodesk Maya, or 3ds Max, usually supported by a portfolio or relevant coursework. Familiarity with rendering engines, texture mapping, and sometimes industry certifications like Autodesk Certified User can be advantageous. Creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate effectively with teams are important soft skills for this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for producing visually compelling designs and contributing productively to creative projects.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level 3D designers when working on collaborative projects?

Entry level 3D designers often find that collaborating on projects requires strong communication and adaptability, as they need to align their creative vision with the broader goals of a team that may include senior designers, engineers, and project managers. Learning to interpret feedback constructively and manage multiple revisions is a key challenge, especially when balancing deadlines and project standards. Familiarity with version control tools and asset management systems is beneficial, as these are commonly used to streamline teamwork and avoid conflicts in shared files. Embracing feedback and proactively seeking clarification can help new designers grow their skills and contribute effectively to collaborative efforts.

What is the difference between Entry Level 3D Designer vs Junior 3D Artist?

AspectEntry Level 3D DesignerJunior 3D Artist
CredentialsAssociate degree or relevant certificationSimilar educational background, often with portfolio
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, advertising agencies, gaming companiesGame development, animation studios, visual effects
Job FocusBasic 3D modeling, concept visualization, assisting senior designersCreating assets, modeling, texturing under supervision

Both roles typically require similar educational backgrounds and work in creative environments. The Entry Level 3D Designer often focuses on foundational tasks and supporting projects, while the Junior 3D Artist may have more hands-on responsibilities in asset creation. The roles are closely aligned, with the main difference being the specific job titles used by employers.

What are the most commonly searched types of 3D Designer jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of 3D Designer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level 3D Designer jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Entry Level 3D Designer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level 3D Designer jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level 3D Designer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Infographic showing various Entry Level 3D Designer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $62,115 per year, or $29.9 per hour.

Entry Level Scenic & Event Designer / Production Artist 2026

PULSE STUDIO, LLC

Lisle, IL • On-site

$20 - $30/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 27 days ago

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Job description

Entry-Level Scenic & Event Designer

Pulse Studio LLC is a design previsualization firm based in Lisle, Illinois. Our designs allow clients to experience what their event or product will look and feel like before it’s ever built. We are looking for a strong 3D Designer to help us create stunning presentation visuals and digital assets for the following areas: Set Design, Exhibit Design, Tradeshow Design, Product/Prototype Renderings, Animations, Interior & Exterior Renderings, Mobile Marketing, Graphics & Web design and AR/VR content creation.

Responsibilities

  • Generate creative designs based on project/client needs
  • Produce high quality renderings for events, scenic stage designs, and product launches
  • Take a design idea from conceptual mood boards to final design
  • Model, texture and light all elements involved with the project
  • Understand the varieties of light setups from clean studio renderings to vibrant stage rendering
  • Coordinate with the rest of the project team in the execution of the project/assignments
  • Post-production work for final renderings

Skills and Abilities

  • Proficient in 3D Studio Max (DO NOT APPLY IF YOU DON'T KNOW THIS PROGRAM)
  • Knowledgeable in Unreal (Blueprints/Programming/Coding not required but is a plus)
  • Can create custom textures and materials for use in models
  • Can dynamically light a scene
  • Proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud, specifically Photoshop & Illustrator
  • Proficiency in Office 365 (Word, Excel and Outlook)
  • Ability to effectively meet deadlines
  • Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing
  • Ability to work in team environment

Qualifications

  • Work experience in Event Design, Trade Show Design, Theater or Architecture is a huge plus.
  • Any programming, C++, or HTML5 experience is not required but is a plus.
  • After Effects for motion graphics creation experience is not required but is a plus.
  • Knowledge of fabrication and tradeshow extrusion systems is not required but is a plus.

Please include a link to your portfolio with your application to be considered. (THIS IS MANDATORY. We need to see what level your skills are at.)

Pulse Studio is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We support diversity in the workforce.

Job Location - Lisle, Illinois. Ideally you work in our studio but will have flexibility with some days being remote.

Position Type - Contract to start (Hourly) / After 3 months Full Time is possible (Salary)

Our industry is fast paced with quick turnarounds. Our work varies from day to day, occasionally we work late to meet our clients’ expectations. Benefits include medical insurance, 401k with employer match, paid holidays, and vacation time.

Company Description

Pulse Studio got our start creating successful branded corporate events, trade-shows and exhibits. We are passionate about creating branded experiential designs from the overall physical experience down to the content you see on each screen. With our backgrounds in architecture, engineering, film and animation we were able to take our clients ideas and turn them into beautiful designs visualized in 3d. This is all created with fresh modern designs while always working with our clients to make sure we are embodying the message and story they want to tell.

Pulse serves as an extension of your design department. We work with our clients and their brand guidelines to create beautiful renderings, still images, custom video content, and motion graphics. We believe in a collaborative process between our clients and producers ensuring their satisfaction with the design and messaging we are creating. We have taken our roots of designing 3-dimensional branding experience and have evolved to help our clients create everything from the physical design down to the graphics, video content and interactive elements.

Our combined experience has created a base for us to understand our clients brands and turn those brands and stories into customer experiences. We are taking that all a step further to push digital content further for our clients. Environmental branding is no longer just a passive experience of showing static images. We want to interact with our content through touchscreens, VR/AR/MR, motion sensors, tablets, social media integration and more. That is just the beginning, every day we are looking at new technology to help our clients engage their customers. The more engaging the experience, the more brand awareness that create. That makes our clients happy and keeps them calling on Pulse for new projects.