What are the responsibilities and job description for the Experiential Designer position at Science Museum Oklahoma?
Description
The Experiential Designer is responsible for creating engaging, immersive, and visually compelling designs and supporting materials for exhibitions and galleries that align with Science Museum Oklahoma’s mission and brand. This position plays a key role in conceptualizing, designing and bringing to life environments that spark curiosity and encourage hands-on exploration. This role also contributes to the museum’s communication and marketing efforts through the development of general graphic design and media materials.
Through collaboration with cross-functional teams, the Experiential Designer ensures that projects are thoughtfully designed, visually cohesive, and seamlessly integrated with the museum’s mission, storytelling, and educational goals.
Research & Ideation
This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities. This position must maintain positive working relationships with museum leadership, exhibit teams, marketing teams, vendors, and external stakeholders.
The Experiential Designer is responsible for creating engaging, immersive, and visually compelling designs and supporting materials for exhibitions and galleries that align with Science Museum Oklahoma’s mission and brand. This position plays a key role in conceptualizing, designing and bringing to life environments that spark curiosity and encourage hands-on exploration. This role also contributes to the museum’s communication and marketing efforts through the development of general graphic design and media materials.
Through collaboration with cross-functional teams, the Experiential Designer ensures that projects are thoughtfully designed, visually cohesive, and seamlessly integrated with the museum’s mission, storytelling, and educational goals.
Research & Ideation
- Participate in the museum’s Exhibit Committee to gather and evaluate creative ideas
- Define and translate committee discussions into actionable creative briefs
- Conduct research on materials, technologies, and design trends to enhance exhibit impact
- Work in collaboration with the Director of Exhibits to develop design concepts for specific exhibit areas
- Create conceptual drawings, renderings, and digital models for internal and external stakeholders
- Develop a conceptual design package to present exhibit vision and objectives
- Schematic Design
- Refine design concepts based on feedback from the Director of Exhibits and museum leadership
- Develop a comprehensive schematic design package, including detailed graphics
- Work through the approval processes to ensure alignment with institutional goals
- Collaborate with a copy committee and Director of Exhibits to finalize exhibit graphics
- Work closely with fabricators, production teams, and vendors to oversee implementation
- Ensure final designs align with Science Museum Oklahoma’s brand aesthetics and visitor experience goals
- Design print materials, digital assets, and signage to support museum communication and marketing initiatives
- Ensure all visual designs align with the museum’s brand guide and voice
- Collaborate with communications and marketing and education teams to create visually engaging content for museum campaigns and programs
- Perform other appropriate duties as assigned to support the museum’s mission and objectives
- Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Exhibit Design, Architecture, or a related field (preferred)
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in graphic design and rendering
- Experience in museum, gallery, entertainment, or themed environment design is a plus
- Knowledge of materials and fabrication techniques is highly desirable
- Proficiency in design software, including Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and 3D modeling programs (SketchUp, Solidworks, or similar)
- Strong conceptual thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to translate complex ideas into visually engaging and accessible designs
- Strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work cross-departmentally
- Understanding of brand aesthetics, typography, and visual storytelling
- Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Knowledge of accessibility and universal design principles is a plus
- This position works in a climate-controlled office setting within an active and busy museum environment
- May require standing, walking, or working at a computer for extended periods
- Occasional lifting (up to 25 pounds) and handling of exhibit materials
- May require working on-site in exhibit spaces during installation phases
- Must be able to meet physical requirements of the position with or without reasonable accommodation
This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities. This position must maintain positive working relationships with museum leadership, exhibit teams, marketing teams, vendors, and external stakeholders.
