Job Title: Exhibitions Designer
Department: Exhibitions
Reports To: VP of Exhibition Design & Development
Role & Level / Grade: P4/6
Summary
The Exhibitions Designer, under the direction of the VP of Exhibition Design & Development, will design guest experiences across our campus of indoor and outdoor exhibition spaces—both refreshing existing exhibits and contributing to the creation of new exhibits. With a focus on the built environment, her/his artistic and technical skills and visual storytelling talents will be applied to the creation of compelling and engaging experiences that translate narrative, concept, or theme into real-world experiences that resonates with museum guests.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan, design, and deliver 3D exhibition plans that support overall exhibit themes and interpretive plans using a wide range of mediums and formats, including low- and high-tech hands-on interactives, immersive and digital experiences and multimedia components, graphic design, collection items, and other supporting elements.
- Design to meet the learning objectives of each exhibit by viewing each project through multiple lenses, with special attention to different ages, perspectives, and learning styles.
- Take exhibit projects from initial concept through fabrication/production and into final installation concept, schematic, detailed, construction documentation through final production/fabrication and installation.
- Prepare design presentation, documentation, and production files as needed for projects; including floor plans, elevations, renderings, shop drawings, as-builts, construction bid packages and final art files.
- Collaborate with internal and external content experts and curators, writers, graphic designers, collection specialist, exhibit workshop and facilities team, producers and fabricators, and other creatives, to bring the exhibit’s vision to life.
- Implement an iterative design process. Comfort with prototyping design solutions, responding to feedback and collecting data to further design decisions.
- Conduct photo research and other visual media asset acquisition.
- Oversee the final design, installation, and commissioning of exhibit components, including object mounts and designs, text panel and graphic installations, digital media and interactive technology displays, and other supportive components.
- Create design plans and associated documents to be shared with internal stakeholders, project partners, and outside producers and fabricators.
- Research available traveling exhibitions to bring to the Museum to support our permanent exhibitions; and maintain dates available, cost, etc. spreadsheet.
- Create floorplans and supplemental design plans for bi-annual traveling exhibitions.
- Demonstrate a high level of organizational skills, self-motivation, written and verbal communication to effectively share information across and between multiple disciplines, and reaching audiences with varied technical and organizational knowledge.
- Other duties as assigned by Executive team and VP of Exhibits.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree and 2-4 years relevant design experience in one of the following fields: exhibition design, entertainment design, industrial design, scenic design, environmental design, or similar.
- Ability to think spatially and translate ideas into physical experiences.
- In-depth knowledge of exhibit design principles, experience using standard 3D (AutoCAD drawing software packages, such as Solid works Sketch up, Fusion, Rhino and/or similar software). with a portfolio demonstrating strong design talent.
- Bonus skills: 2D design software (InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop)
- Possess knowledge of fabrication methods and materials for 3D and/or signage.
- Ability to work independently and in a collaborative environment.
- Application of Universal Design principles.
- Excellent communication skills, both interpersonally and in writing.
- Comfort with Microsoft Office suite, and file sharing programs such as Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with creativity, curiosity, integrity, and determination.
- Effectively manage time, combined with the ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously, and apply creative problem solving to tight budgets.
Physical Requirements & Work Environment
The physical requirements stated represent those necessary for an individual to fulfill the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodation can be made for qualified individuals with disabilities, ensuring equal employment opportunities. Please let us know if you require accommodation to participate in the application or interview process.
- Must be available to work evenings and weekends on a consistent basis
- Must be able to stand for long periods of time, move quickly from space to space to quickly resolve issues and oversee events team members
- Must be able to work for extended periods of time in elements, sun, heat, wind, etc.
- Daily tasks require variety of physical activities, related to walking, standing, stooping, sitting, reaching, lifting (up to 50 lbs.)
Clearance Requirements
- Background clearance
- Drug screening as part of the Drug Free Workplace Program
