Senior Exhibition Designer

Overview

The South Carolina State Museum is a premier cultural institution dedicated to showcasing the rich history, natural history, art, and science of South Carolina. This is an exciting moment for the South Carolina State Museum as it embarks on its Reimagine the Experience campaign to revolutionize the museum experience for our visitors and expand our impact state-wide. This collaborative campaign will allow the museum to share more of its extensive collection of over 1.1 million objects and specimens and renew over 150,000 square feet with updated permanent exhibitions and immersive multimedia experiences which highlight fascinating stories and people throughout South Carolina’s history.

Through these revitalized spaces, the museum will offer our guests the opportunity to connect with each other and the many communities that call our state home.

Come be a part of our team “reimagining” what the South Carolina State Museum can be for our next generation of visitors, students, and scholars.

Job Summary

JOB SUMMARY
The Exhibit Designer is responsible for exhibition and graphic design projects as assigned at the SCSM. The Exhibit Designer cooperates with curators, collections managers, and the Director, Exhibition Production and staff responsible for fabricating, installing, lighting, maintaining, de-installing and recycling exhibitions. The Exhibit Designer assists the Director, Exhibition Production and the Chief Engagement and Content Officer with design matters to ensure uniformly high-quality workmanship and consistency in branding, exhibitions, and graphic design. The Exhibit Designer advises on the use of outside installation and fabrication contractors and crews and serves as key member of the SCSM exhibition project teams.

The Exhibit Designer leads all efforts for designing all 3-dimensional and 2-dimensional exhibition elements and interactive experiences. The Exhibit Designer is a key member of all exhibition project teams and is responsible for ensuring uniformly high-quality design and consistency in exhibitions and graphic design while effectively communicating history.

Job Duties & Functions

The Exhibit Designer collaborates with curators and exhibit project teams to translate intellectual content and conceptual ideas to exhibit form. Especially important are the exhibition’s Thesis and Key Ideas, around which the show should be organized. The Exhibit Designer develops the concept and schematic design drawings, and oversees graphic design and the exhibit’s look, which may include color choices, logo, graphic designs, and text design. The Exhibit Designer works with the exhibit Project Director/Project Manager to develop and manage the exhibit budget and coordinate the project from concept through construction drawings and fabrication. The Exhibit Designer may serve the role of exhibit project director, as assigned. The Exhibit Designer will work on multiple exhibit(s) and develop preliminary drawings and concepts for future exhibits in helping to prepare fundraising materials.

Internal Coordination and Management

The Exhibit Designer is responsible for coordinating with the Exhibition Production team and Exhibit Project teams and must be able to execute exhibit design lay-outs and specifications, use appropriate computer program software, and understand artifact handling and installation practices. The Exhibit Designer consults with other members of the Exhibition Production Department on matters related to unloading and loading traveling exhibits, gallery prep, fabricating exhibit components, installing exhibits, maintaining exhibit galleries, and de-installing and packing exhibits.

The Exhibit Designer is responsible for coordinating communication between the Exhibition Production department and the Exhibit Project teams. Must be able to execute exhibit design lay-outs and specifications, use appropriate computer program software, have some construction skills, and understand artifact handling and installation practices.

The Exhibit Designer helps coordinate work with exhibit detailers, graphic production sources and installers, audio/visual component producers and installers, exhibit fabricators and installers, designers, and other contractors such as carpenters, painters, and electricians.

The Exhibit Designer may, from time to time, work on special projects and support the SCSM Foundation; Education; and other projects.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma
• Knowledge of object handling and artifact installation
• Understanding of construction and materials
• Design Skills
• Able to lift up to 25 lbs.

• Experience with the development and oversight of project budget
• Construction skills
• Nonprofit experience

The Exhibit Designer influences the quality, effectiveness, and cost-effective production of an exhibit. His/her work ensures design drawings are completed and approved, orders are placed, products are delivered in the proper sequence, accurate information is communicated, schedules are met, and high quality of exhibitions are produced.

The Exhibit Designer designs exhibitions and is responsible for lay-out and design of museum exhibits; coordinates with the Exhibition Production Department; and plays a vital role in keeping approved projects on time, on budget and ensuring quality standards.