Manager, Exhibitions Graphic Design

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

15 days PTO + holidays

401k with company match

Free museum tickets & screenings

Free Academy membership screenings

Commuter program

Job summary

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures seeks a Manager, Exhibitions Graphic Design to lead graphic design for museum exhibitions. You will drive concept development, create print and digital materials, and guide external vendors to deliver high-quality visuals.

You will oversee production, stay on schedule, and maintain the museum’s branding across spaces while collaborating with curators, designers, and fabrication teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of design-related professional experience.
• Minimum 1 year of experience managing staff.
• Strong creative and visual storytelling abilities.
• Superior typographical skills.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with curators and exhibition designers to conceptualize cohesive design strategies for exhibitions.
• Create design mock-ups and visual prototypes to demonstrate concepts and materiality.
• Support branding and identity through visual materials while preserving Museum branding.
• Coordinate with departments and vendors to meet exhibition design needs.
• Supervise junior staff and provide design guidance and feedback.
• Design and produce print/digital projects including wall graphics, labels, and signage.
• Ensure ADA accessibility and balance multiple projects to meet deadlines.

Skills

Graphic design leadership

Brand development

Print production

Environmental graphics

3D environments

Adobe InDesign

Illustrator

Photoshop

Topaz

Typography

Education

Bachelor’s degree in graphic design

MFA preferred

Tools

Adobe InDesign

Illustrator

Photoshop

Topaz

Job description

Department: Exhibitions

Reports to: Director, Exhibition Design

Job Type: Full Time–Regular

Job Classification: Salary (Exempt)

Workplace Location: Los Angeles – Academy Museum

Compensation: $80,000.00 - $85,000.00

The Manager, Exhibitions Graphic Design oversees exhibition graphic design projects from conception through completion and is responsible for implementing the creative strategy and overall graphic design for the Museum’s exhibition spaces. This includes print and digital design, environmental graphics, collateral, and presentation materials. The Manager works closely with internal departments and external vendors to ensure accuracy, quality, timely delivery, and adherence to budget requirements. This position supervises one full-time junior graphic designer, freelance designers, and temporary staff. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong leadership and organizational skills, meets strict deadlines, and thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Essential Functions Of The Job

• Collaborate with curators and exhibition designers to conceptualize cohesive design strategies that are harmonious with the exhibition intent and enhance the visitor experience.
• Create design mock-ups and visual prototypes to demonstrate concepts, materiality, and legibility.
• Working closely with Brand Creative to support the branding and creative identity of projects through the design of visual materials, while preserving the overall branding and identity of the Museum.
• Coordinate with other departments, such as collections, fabrication, lighting, AV, media production to ensure design materials meet the specific needs of each exhibition.
• Supervise the junior graphic designer and temporary staff, providing feedback and guidance on design work and professional development.
• Design and produce a range of print and digital projects, including tile lockups, wall murals, didactic texts, object labels, title cards for gallery media, digital slide shows, wayfinding signages, facsimiles, and reproductions.
• Adhere to the Museum’s special needs and visual accessibility requirements (ADA compliance) within gallery spaces.
• Follow through on creative work from concept to production, balancing various projects and meeting tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Manage project workflows, coordinating schedules, budgets, estimates, contracts, and assignments while negotiating vendor costs and terms.
• Oversee artwork reproductions with the knowledge of resizing, resolution requirements, and touch-ups as required and prepare digital files for graphic production.
• Oversee external production vendors onsite and while ensure their production methods work with rotations and longevity of exhibitions.

Required Competencies:

• A bachelor’s degree in graphic design, visual communications, fine arts, or related.
• Minimum of 5 years of design-related professional experience.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience managing staff.
• Strong creative, conceptual, and critical thinking abilities and expertise in visual storytelling.
• Superior typographical skills.
• Experience managing print production and knowledge of printing processes.
• Mastery of Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Topaz.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Attention to detail and ability to proofread to produce accurate and high-quality work.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills.
• Professional experience working independently and effectively with others, managing deadlines, budgets, and vendors.
• Ability to multi-task and create an organized production schedule that incorporates time for both scheduled and unscheduled projects.
• A commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods while supervising vendors onsite.
• Ability to occasionally use a ladder to install graphics.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree.
• Experience with project management software such as AirTable.
• Experience designing graphics for three-dimensional and physical environments, including creating and presenting environmental visualizations.
• Experience in motion graphics.
• Familiarity with architectural drawings, including their formats, principles, and terminology.
• Familiarity with how lighting affects graphics.
• Knowledge of current immersive design trends, technologies, and museum exhibition best practices.

Portfolio Requirement:

A portfolio is required as part of the application process. Please submit a PDF portfolio showcasing conceptual development, color, layout, typography, and a strong understanding of print materials and production methods.

Required Vaccination:

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

Our 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 ComPsych 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.