JOB TITLE: Exhibition Designer

DEPARTMENT: Exhibitions

FLSA STATUS: Exempt – Professional

JOB SUMMARY:

The Exhibition Designer plans and executes the design of in-house and traveling exhibitions. As part of a collaborative experience development team, the Exhibition Designer participates in defining exhibition big idea, main messages, goals, budget and schedule; produces documents that enable the design to be fabricated; and reviews fabrication progress to ensure that exhibitions meet design specifications. The Exhibition Designer ensures that exhibition designs are experiential, engaging, and accessible to diverse audiences, employ up-to-date presentation methods, and communicate content effectively. The Exhibition Designer strives to create the museum visit as a seamless experience for visitors, in which elements such as signage, seating, barriers, etc. in public areas are well-designed and consistent with CHM identity.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Participate in the planning of the CHM exhibition program
• With project teams, develop work plans, budgets and schedules
• Design exhibitions within budget and schedule limitations
• Support audience research and incorporate results in design
• Develop and design exhibitions with the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in mind
• Use universal design principles to ensure that exhibitions are accessible to people with diverse abilities and are, at minimum, ADA compliant
• Produce conceptual design documents including but not limited to: bubble plans, elevations, renderings, and scale models
• Present design ideas to teams and stakeholders, and incorporate feedback in revisions
• Produce construction documents including but not limited to: applied flooring, lighting, electrical, AV, painting, construction, elevations, casework, case layouts, framing specs, replicas and props, and interactives
• Solicit quotes, prepare bid packages and RFP’s, and supervise contractors as needed
• Collaborate with the Curator and experience team on selection of appropriate media to communicate content, such as AV, artifacts, interactives, text, photos or other design elements
• Focus final exhibition lighting

OTHER DUTIES:

• Ensure the integration of graphic and 3-D design
• Provide appropriate design materials for fund-raising initiatives
• Research new products, exhibition media and vendors
• Assist in developing and carrying out policies and procedures for the department, division, and institution as requested
• Contribute advice and guidance to other departments on a host of design issues in public, office and workspaces.
• Assist with the hiring of additional temporary design staff and consultants, as needed
• Supervise additional temporary design staff, as needed
• Drive aerial work platform
• Other duties as assigned

The Museum expects all employees to contribute to and promote a positive culture and collegial atmosphere at CHM in three main ways:

1. Embracing the Museum’s mission to share Chicago’s stories, serving as a hub of scholarship and learning, inspiration and civic engagement. Modeling the values that the Museum seeks in all of its staff in all of its staff including:

• All-in: Taking and sharing responsibility for the Museum, its mission, and our future.
• Welcoming: Demonstrating every day that the Museum is for everyone.
• Forward-looking: Anticipating needs, spotting opportunities, and solving problems with determination and ingenuity.

1. Supporting the Museum’s institutional values of Collaboration, Curiosity, Integrity, Innovation, Respect and Service
2. Vision: Be one of the most trusted and inclusive institutions of our collective history

REPORTS TO: Director of Exhibitions

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

This position requires an individual able to maintain professional and productive working relationships with other Exhibition staff, Curators, Collection Managers, Conservators, Director of Properties, Security, and Visitor Services.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A BA in design or related field
• Five years experience in design of collections-based museum exhibitions
• Experience designing exhibitions for family and young audiences
• Experience developing immersive and/or interactive experiences
• Experience working as part of a team
• Knowledge of museum exhibition practices and procedures, including object preservation standards
• Familiarity with current theories of learning in museums
• Computer proficiency in Vectorworks, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Creative Cloud
• Knowledge of ADA regulations and building code
• Knowledge of production methods and materials
• Superior organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including being a good listener
• Ability to lift, carry, or otherwise move and position exhibit objects and properties weighing up to 50 pounds
• Ability to ascend and descend ladders and lifts, as well as work from ladders and lifts when installing, maintaining, or removing exhibits
• Ability to communicate design ideas effectively
• Ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines
• Ability to work independently and in a team
• Ability to work on more than one project simultaneously
• Ability to identify problems and recommend solutions
• Ability to tailor exhibition design to available budget and schedule
• Ability to mentor and delegate
• Ability to lead a team
• Commitment to the mission, values, and programs of the Chicago History Museum