Exhibition Designer . Harvard University

Hard Problems; Cambridge, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Parental leave

Wellbeing resources

Job summary

Harvard Art Museums in Cambridge, MA seeks an Exhibition Designer to lead installation concepts from concept to production for gallery and temporary exhibitions. You will translate curators' ideas into practical, sustainable display solutions.

The role requires three+ years in exhibition design, proficiency with Vectorworks and Rhino, and experience with Adobe Creative Suite and CAD tooling. This is an on‑site, Massachusetts-based position with collaboration across curators, production,

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in a relevant field of design, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of three years of total professional experience in exhibition design or a comparable field such as architecture, interior design, or industrial and furniture design.
• Proficiency with Vectorworks and Rhino; other CAD applications are preferred.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Photoshop and InDesign, and MS Office software, particularly Excel.
• Strong hand sketching, model-making, and light-duty prototyping skills.
• Familiarity with museum best practices covering conservation, art handling, security, and lighting.

Responsibilities

• Produce installation designs for temporary exhibitions and collection galleries translating curators' concepts into tangible designs meeting museum standards of sustainability and fiscal responsibility.
• Propose creative solutions for presenting artworks, narratives, and ideas aligned with Conservation, Registration, Facilities, and Security guidelines.
• Integrate gallery text, wall graphics, audio/video content, and related print materials into the exhibition design.
• Prepare floorplans and elevation drawings, gallery models, and related documentation; coordinate with Exhibition Production for feasibility and execution.
• Lead design reviews with stakeholders, presenting plans and reconciling proofs with gallery elevations.
• Maintain and develop design office resources and support on-site installations; collaborate across departments.

Skills

Three-dimensional design

Spatial design

Project coordination

CAD proficiency

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in design

Equivalent professional experience

Tools

Vectorworks

Rhino

Adobe Creative Suite

Photoshop

InDesign

MS Excel

Basecamp

Job description

# Exhibition DesignerHarvard University, Cambridge, USAEducationPublic sector## Why this work mattersHMSC fosters public understanding of science, natural history, and human cultures through world-class museum collections and educational programs, delivering clear societal and educational benefit.View the full listing and apply →Listed 31 Aug 2026Applications are handled by Harvard University, not by Hard Problems.## About the roleThe Harvard Art Museums, comprising the Fogg Museum, the Busch-Reisinger Museum, and the Arthur M. Sackler Museum, are dedicated to advancing and supporting learning at Harvard University, in the local community, and around the world. The museums hold one of the largest and most diverse art collections in the United States, displayed in galleries that mix media and schools of art within a broader story of artistic expression and historical and contemporary issues. Through research, teaching, professional training, and public education, the museums work to advance the understanding and appreciation of art. The museums are part of Harvard University's Central Administration, a 5,000-plus employee organisation that supports the university's overall excellence.### The roleThe Exhibition Designer produces unique concepts and plans for gallery installations, working under the supervision of the Assistant Director for Exhibitions and their focus on design and installation. The position upholds the museum's standards for display and aesthetics while seeking creative solutions to enhance visitors' engagement with artwork. You would serve as lead or supporting designer for numerous exhibition and collection gallery projects, guiding them from concept through to production and installation. The role sits within a collaborative museum environment and works closely with curators, the Exhibition Production team, Editorial and Design Services, Conservation, Registration, Facilities, and Security.### What you would doYou would produce installation designs for temporary exhibitions and collection galleries, working closely with curators to translate their theoretical concepts into tangible designs that meet museum standards of sustainability and fiscal responsibility. You would generate and propose creative solutions for presenting artworks, narratives, and ideas in alignment with guidelines set by Conservation, Registration, Facilities, and Security. Communicating ideas, gathering feedback, and obtaining consensus from stakeholders for each installation would be a regular part of your work.You would collaborate closely with Editorial and Design Services to integrate gallery text and other interpretive elements, including wall graphics, audio and video content, and related print materials, into the exhibition design. This includes providing all necessary specifications such as dimensions, wall and furniture colours, and label formats for the creation of gallery text and graphics, and assisting in reviewing and reconciling proofs with gallery elevations.You would prepare and disseminate design materials including floorplan and elevation drawings, exhibition furniture construction drawings where needed, gallery models (physical or virtual), and related documentation. You would organise and lead meetings with museum stakeholders to present design plans, review artwork, and address mockups, conservation or loan requirements, and other elements that factor into the design. You would also review design plans with the Exhibition Production team to assess feasibility for execution and installation.Working closely with the Assistant Director for Exhibitions and Gallery Planning, you would provide regular updates on schedule, budget, design status, and other deliverables specific to each installation, and adjust designs or schedules as new information is received. You would help maintain and build upon design office resources, including base architectural files, furniture drawings and inventories, design tools such as software and supplies, and project-related documentation on Basecamp and in archives. You would support gallery installations in person, providing guidance and troubleshooting as needed. Cross-departmental working sessions may take place at the Art Museum Research Facility in Somerville.### What they are looking forA bachelor's degree in a relevant field of design, or equivalent professional experience, is required. You must have a minimum of three years of total professional experience, including internships, in exhibition design or a comparable field such as architecture, interior design, or industrial and furniture design. Experience in a museum setting is recommended.You should be able to demonstrate a body of work showing relevant skills, including three-dimensional and spatial design capability and a creative, problem-solving approach. Proficiency with computer-aided drafting and 3D modelling software is required; the Harvard Art Museums use Vectorworks and Rhino, and candidates proficient in other CAD applications are preferred. Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Photoshop and InDesign, and MS Office software, particularly Excel, is also required.An organised approach to file management is expected, along with good hand sketching, model-making, and light-duty prototyping skills. You should be able to balance multiple projects simultaneously and process large quantities of complex data, with a strong eye for precision and detail. Project leadership or coordination experience is helpful, as is demonstrated success working in a large, complex organisation and managing multiple, sometimes conflicting priorities.Familiarity with museum best practices covering conservation, art handling, security, and lighting, as well as accessibility and life-safety regulations, is valued. Knowledge of architectural and industrial design practices, documentation standards, and nomenclature, along with an understanding of fabrication techniques, materials, and finishes, is also desirable.Physical requirements include the ability to move around a multi-story museum building, lift up to 25 lbs, walk, stand, stoop, push, pull, reach and work above the shoulders, climb ladders, kneel, twist, and squat.### Working arrangementsThis is a fully on-site position based in Massachusetts. The standard schedule is 35 hours per week. Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position, and individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.### Pay and benefitsThis position is at salary grade level 056; Harvard's published salary ranges provide the corresponding figures. Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package including generous paid time off with parental leave, medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one, retirement plans with university contributions, wellbeing and mental health resources, support for families and caregivers, professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement, and commuter benefits, discounts, and campus perks.