Senior Specialist, Exhibition Design

Department: Exhibitions • Reports to: Director, Exhibition Design • Job Type: Regular – Full-time • Workplace Location: Los Angeles – Academy Museum

About the role

The Senior Specialist, Exhibition Design coordinates the implementation of exhibition design, focusing on exploring, generating, and representing concepts and design solutions via renderings, mood boards, and physical models. This position produces design drawings and shop drawings, and works closely with Fabrication, AV, Lighting, and Install teams to address exhibition needs. This position is represented by a union.

Responsibilities

• Create unique and impactful design for a wide array of exhibitions following museum best practices.
• Work with Curatorial Staff to determine curatorial intent and artwork.
• Collaborate with the Graphic Design team.
• Assist the Director of Exhibition Design in the generation, presentation, and coordination of exhibition concepts and layouts.
• Serve as the primary draftsman for the exhibition design department.
• Work from rough sketches and specifications created by the Director of Exhibition Design and/or outside producers.
• Convert conceptual ideas to design development drawings.
• Create CAD or Vectorworks drawings and computer renderings to communicate concepts and final designs to other departments.
• Produce renderings, diagrams, presentations, animations, or 3D models to communicate design ideas.
• Prepare multiple versions of designs for review by curators, engineers, and base building architects.
• Specify dimensions, materials, and procedures for new layouts.
• Possess a general understanding of construction technologies.
• Create construction drawings to communicate with Fabrication and Construction teams.
• Work closely with the Fabrication and Construction teams to ensure design elements are executed according to plan.
• Manage the making of models, maquettes, prototypes, and mock-ups.
• Source materials and services; obtain and maintain sample libraries.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in architecture, museum spatial studies, or a related field is required.
• 2-3 years’ experience in all phases of architecture, exhibition design, and construction.
• 1 year or more of experience with construction documents for architecture and/or museum exhibition design projects.
• Technical drawing skills.
• Working proficiency in CAD or VectorWorks, Revit, Rhino, Adobe Suite.
• Experience and ability to produce construction drawings.
• Excellent rendering/animation skills in Cinema 4D or others.
• Excellent model-making skills.
• Familiarity with Audio/Video and Lighting systems.
• Familiarity with building’s HVAC, electrical systems, access points, and load capacity.
• Good communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to work in a flexible, fast-paced environment.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse implementation teams.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating with multi-disciplinary and multi-skilled project teams in a gallery or museum environment.
• A commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

• M.A. preferred.
• Experience working with high-profile contract designers preferred.

Pay

$30.00 - $32.00 per hour

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 15 days of PTO, plus company-paid holidays.
• Additional time off including summer hours, winter hours, and a cultural floating holiday.
• Paid sick leave.
• Paid parental leave.
• 401k retirement plan with a company match.
• Clean Air Commuter Program.
• Employee Assistance Program through CompPsych Guidance Resources.
• Wellness benefits through Cigna Healthcare.
• Free access to 16,000+ online courses through LinkedIn Learning.
• Free Academy membership screenings.
• Free tickets and screenings at the Academy Museum.
• Employee discounts through LifeMart and Working Advantage.

Full vaccination against COVID-19 is required, including any booster vaccinations as applicable. Medical and religious accommodations may be approved by the Office of People & Culture.