Exhibit Designer

Reporting to the Director of Exhibit Design, the Exhibit Designer plays a critical role in the creation of hands-on Museum experiences through all phases of development, design, and implementation for both new exhibits and updates to existing ones. The Exhibit Designer will translate educational and experience goals into novel exhibit solutions, both independently and in collaboration with Museum staff and others, developing ideas into working exhibit components. 

The Exhibit Designer should bring a strong design aesthetic and excellent communication skills for sharing ideas with Museum colleagues and external contractors and stakeholders. Depending on the project scale and scope, the Exhibit Designer will be responsible for producing documents that clearly convey design intent for internal review and that are adequately detailed for pricing, fabrication, and installation through an iterative process that involves presentation and review, making and evaluating prototypes, and incorporating input to create refined and detailed designs. The position also plays a role in seamlessly bridging the development, design, and fabrication phases of our process, which involves several departments within the Museum and external contractors.

About Museum Exhibits

Museum exhibits offer opportunities for children ages 0-10 and their caregivers to learn through play and exploration, and to find joy in experiencing the Museum. Our approach centers children, emphasizing what visitors do, not just what they see. To this end, our exhibits aim to be innovative, thoughtful, engaging, and inspiring experiences.

CORE JOB FUNCTIONS & ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Collaborate with the Exhibits team, cross-departmental teams, and exhibit contractors to redesign existing exhibits and develop new exhibits that advance the Museum’s strategic priorities.
• Translate the Museum’s child-centered educational philosophy and goals, emphasizing child-directed play and exploration, into engaging and meaningful exhibit designs.
• Contribute to a creative, collaborative, and hands-on design environment, demonstrating a passion for making, building, experimentation, and developing innovative ideas.
• Lead and participate in brainstorming, concept development, and the exploration of creative design solutions.
• Develop exhibit designs through all phases of the design process, from initial concept renderings for funding proposals to bid-ready and construction-ready documents.
• Communicate and document design concepts through sketches, drawings, renderings, 3D models, reference photographs, material samples, and written and verbal presentations.
• Develop prototypes for exhibit concepts and collaborate with colleagues and visitors to test, evaluate, and incorporate feedback into final designs.
• Present design concepts at key project milestones, incorporating feedback from cross-departmental teams and project stakeholders.
• Incorporate the perspectives of diverse visitor groups, considering age-appropriate experiences, accessibility, engagement, and inclusive design
• Manage multiple exhibit design projects simultaneously, balancing competing priorities and coordinating deliverables across different phases of development, design, and implementation. 
• Develop practical, buildable exhibit designs that align with project budgets, available resources, and established timelines.
• Estimate project costs and timelines and identify creative design solutions that meet project and budgetary requirements.
• Collaborate with the Exhibits team and external contractors to determine fabrication methods, address construction questions, and refine designs throughout the development and fabrication process.
• Ensure exhibit designs adhere to ADA requirements and applicable accessibility standards.
• Support the redesign and remediation of existing exhibit components, as needed.
• Maintain an iterative, collaborative, and responsive design process by actively seeking and incorporating input from Museum colleagues, external contractors, and project stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively across departments to ensure exhibit concepts and designs reflect diverse perspectives, support educational objectives, and meet visitor experience expectations.
• Support the installation and de-installation of permanent and temporary exhibitions, contributing to implementation activities as needed.
• Other duties as assigned that support institutional and departmental initiatives, goals, and operations. 
• Collaborates with Museum leadership to further the Museum’s mission and to ensure a cohesive staff culture.
• Participates in required All-Staff activities, discussions, meetings, and training.

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Exhibition Design, Architecture, Industrial Design, or related field, or commensurate experience
• 5 or more years of relevant work experience, with a minimum of 3 years of experience with exhibit design, or design that serves an informal education setting/family audience
• Experience with exhibit development for young audiences and a child-centered approach to exhibits, consistent with our emphasis on child-directed play and exploration, creativity, and discovery; as well as the ability to develop experiences engaging adult parents and other caregivers
• Knowledge of digital and traditional exhibit production techniques and industry standard methods and materials, and hands-on experience with fabrication
• Advanced knowledge of exhibit design elements such as lighting, finishes and durability, and interest in sustainable and low environmental-impact materials understanding of safety considerations, especially for young children
• Strong commitment to a collaborative and iterative design process, including experience with prototyping and revision based on visitor and staff input, and taking direction and constructive criticism from colleagues across teams
• Experience with evaluation, including working with the public on formative evaluation, and iterative improvement through prototyping
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience developing and presenting project presentations for internal and external groups
• Highly proficient in the use of computer-based tools: Adobe Creative Suite, CAD, and Google

WORK CONDITIONS

Physical

The majority of work is performed on a computer, requiring use of 3D modeling software, sitting, typing, drawing for long periods, communicating via email, phone, and in-person. Some work may require lifting, pulling or pushing up to 50lbs pounds. Occasionally may require some walking and standing. When installing and de-installing exhibits, an occasional need to kneel, crawl, bend, stoop, or sit on the ground.   

Environment

A typical office environment–workspace is a shared office (Studio atmosphere) with individual workstations that includes a desk, chair, computer, phone, and access to office equipment such as a printer, scanner, fax, and shredder. Creative, Collaborative, Fun, and Innovative environment with a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. During peak seasons, the Museum and office space tend to be busy, noisy, or loud, which includes sounds of crying, laughing, or shouting children (and some adults).  Typically a fast-paced environment. 

Other Factors

Work schedule is based on a 35-hour work week of Monday to Friday, with eligibility for a Partial Hybrid schedule where the primary work schedule is fully onsite with occasional remote days approved in advance, after 90days of employment. Occasional schedule flexibility required to support exhibit installation/de-installation.  Some travel or offsite work may be required.