Freelance AV Systems Designer, LED / Experiential Media

NEXT/NOW is looking for a freelance AV Systems Designer to support the design and documentation of media-driven environments, including LED walls, experiential installations, corporate experience centers, lobbies, museums, brand activations, and interactive spaces.

This is a project-based freelance role for someone who can translate creative concepts into practical AV system designs that can be priced, built, installed, and supported.

What You’ll Help With

You will work with our creative, production, technology, and fabrication teams to develop AV system designs for permanent and semi-permanent experiential projects.

Typical responsibilities may include:

* AV system architecture and signal flow design
* LED wall system planning, including processors, media playback, scaling, pixel mapping, and configuration considerations
* Product research and equipment recommendations
* Media player/server selection
* Video signal distribution and routing
* Audio system design for small to mid-sized experiential environments
* Rack elevations and rack equipment layouts
* Cable schedules and equipment schedules
* Power, heat load, and ventilation coordination
* Network and control system coordination
* Review of architectural, electrical, and millwork drawings for AV implications
* Coordination with AV integrators, LED vendors, fabricators, electricians, IT teams, and general contractors
* Creation or review of design documentation, BOMs, and install notes

Ideal Background

We are looking for someone who understands both the technical and practical sides of AV design. You do not need to be a creative director, but you should be comfortable working inside creative, non-standard, media-heavy environments.

Strong candidates may come from:

* Commercial AV design
* AV integration
* Experiential technology
* Museum / exhibit design
* Corporate experience centers
* LED wall systems
* Media server / playback environments
* Architectural technology consulting
* Themed entertainment or immersive environments

Skills We’re Looking For

* Experience designing commercial AV systems
* Strong understanding of LED wall systems and video signal flow
* Familiarity with LED processors, scalers, switchers, extenders, and media playback systems
* Ability to create or contribute to single-line diagrams, rack elevations, BOMs, and cable schedules
* Understanding of power, heat load, ventilation, service access, and rack planning
* Ability to coordinate with electrical, IT, fabrication, and construction teams
* Comfort working with non-standard resolutions, custom content, and experiential media systems
* Strong communication skills and the ability to document assumptions, risks, and open questions

Helpful Experience

Experience with some of the following is a plus:

* AVIXA CTS or CTS-D
* AutoCAD, Visio, Vectorworks, Revit, or similar documentation tools
* LED systems from brands such as Planar, Unilumin, Absen, Nanolumens, SNA, Samsung, LG, etc.
* LED processing from Novastar, Brompton, Megapixel, Colorlight, or similar
* Media players and servers such as BrightSign, Windows-based players, Disguise, Pixera, Watchout, Ventuz, Unreal-based systems, or custom playback PCs
* Q-SYS, Biamp, Dante, Extron, Crestron, NETGEAR AV Line, Cisco, Ubiquiti, or similar AV/network ecosystems
* Interactive systems involving sensors, cameras, LiDAR, Kinect-style inputs, touchscreens, or real-time content

What We Value

We are looking for someone who can think through the full system, not just draw boxes and lines.

A strong fit will be able to:

* Ask smart questions early
* Identify technical risk before it becomes a production issue
* Recommend practical, supportable solutions
* Balance creative ambition with real-world constraints
* Communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical teams
* Create documentation that helps projects move smoothly from concept to install

Engagement Type

This is a freelance / contract role. Work may be project-based or structured as an ongoing fractional relationship depending on fit and availability.

Remote work is acceptable, though occasional availability for Chicago-area site visits or team meetings is helpful.

About NEXT/NOW

NEXT/NOW is an experience design agency based in Chicago. We create technology-driven brand experiences, corporate environments, interactive installations, LED media features, experience centers, and immersive digital moments for clients across a wide range of industries.

Our work sits at the intersection of creative concepting, physical space, AV systems, software, content, and fabrication.

To Apply

Please send:

* A brief note about your relevant experience
* Examples of AV system drawings, rack elevations, BOMs, or technical documentation you have created
* A list of AV/LED/media systems you are familiar with
* Your typical freelance rate or project pricing approach
* Your availability for upcoming project work