EXHIBIT DESIGNER

Exhibit designers plan and build engaging communication spaces at museums, trade shows, and expositions.

skills exhibit designers need

• Understanding of audience behavior.
• Knowledge of exhibit subject matter.
• Creativity and problem-solving skills.
• Comprehensive graphic design skills.
• CAD software skills for modeling exhibits.

Exhibit designers often have master's degrees
in exhibit design or
museum studies.

Melanie Taylor

Exhibit designers may work at museums, work directly for companies that sell exhibit design services, or freelance.

Average annual salaries for Exhibit and Set Designers

CSU Fullerton offers master's degrees in Exhibit Design in its Visual Arts Department.

SFSU offers a master's degree in Museum Studies, with courses in Exhibit Design.

Other Museum Studies programs in California include CSU Long Beach, JFK, USF, and UC Riverside.

Exhibit designers who work directly for museums have the opportunity to specialize in the subject matter that their museum specializes in.

Exhibit designers who work for exhibit design firms or freelance must be prepared to learn about new subject matter quickly.

there are many types of museums:

• Visual arts
• Anthropology
• Natural history
• Science and technology
• Local history, and many, many more.

A background in a field such as art history, archaeology, paleontology, or history, as well as well-developed graphic design skills, is likely to give someone an edge in being admitted to a Museum Studies program, and in the job market post-graduation.

Professional organizations for exhibit designers:

• National Association for Museum Exhibition
• Exhibit Designers + Producers Association
• American Association of Museums
• Trade Show Exhibitors Association
• There are many subject-matter-specific organizations.