What are the responsibilities and job description for the Exhibition Designer position at Newfields?
Opportunity: Exhibition Designer
Reports To: Chief Designer
Employment Type: Full Time
Salary or Hourly: Salary
Salary: $55,000-60,000
OVERVIEW
Museum interpretation is the practice of communicating information about our exhibitions and collections, and their stories and meanings to our audiences. As a member of the Museum Design team, the Exhibition Designer works within the broader Design, Interpretation, Interpretive Media, and Publishing department to collaboratively develop and implement designs for a range of exhibitions, museum galleries, and other experiential spaces that support this mission. Working in close collaboration with the other members of the Museum Design team, Curators, Interpreters, Registrars, Conservators, and Preparators, the Exhibition Designer uses various tools (drawing, SketchUp, digital rendering, and model making) to visualize and communicate plans for all aspects of exhibitions and gallery projects, including the gallery architecture, layout of art objects, design and placement of exhibition furniture, casework, and visitor interactives. The Exhibition Designer is focused on devising plans for exhibitions that create engaging and impactful visitor experiences that reflect the aesthetic sensibility and priorities of the Indianapolis Museum of Art; complying with standards for accessibility, collection safety, educational and experiential goals, security, and the responsible use of museum resources.
Portfolio or website with examples of relevant work required for consideration for this position.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
The following responsibilities describe the general nature of work for employees in this position, but this is not intended as an exclusive or all-inclusive inventory.
Develop and implement exhibition designs from concept to installation.
Design exhibitions, gallery projects, and some gallery furnishings.
Produce accurate and thorough drawing sets and elevations to be used by internal teams and outside contractors in various stages of project planning and fabrication.
Responsible for proper organization, storage, and retention of design plans and associated material according to Newfields approved workflows and standards to support long term retention of assets.
Participate in exhibition and project collaborative team meetings and prepare presentations of in-process designs for review and discussion.
Create digital models, physical models, renderings, drawings, prototypes, diagrams, etc. as needed to test, refine, and communicate plans for exhibition components. Participate in the collaborative development of plans for aspects of each project that support the overall aesthetic goals, including graphics, lighting, and other elements.
Select and purchase furniture and other gallery components, working within established project budgets.
Be present in the gallery during installation to oversee the placement of artwork, furniture, casework, and other exhibition elements.
Work effectively with Newfields staff from multiple departments. Exhibition Design at Newfields is a highly collaborative process that requires extensive communication with colleagues from across the institution.
Participate in project meetings and act as Design representative on museum-wide committees and task force teams as assigned.
Contribute to project budget planning.
Share work in progress with other Design team members, participate in team discussions of ongoing work.
Complete museum-wide professional development and training as assigned.
To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education/Experience
Degree in art or design related field and/or experience in exhibition design, architecture, interior design, industrial design, set design or equivalent.
This position typically works on multiple projects at different stages of development simultaneously, so time management skills and attention to detail are important.
Proficiency in SketchUp, Adobe CS, and Microsoft Office suite.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is often required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Work environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the position. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Salary : $55,000 - $60,000
