Senior Specialist, Exhibition Design

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

PTO & holidays

401k with company match

Free access to Academy screenings and

Job summary

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles is seeking a Senior Specialist, Exhibition Design to coordinate exhibition design implementation. You will develop renderings, mood boards, and design solutions, and generate construction drawings in collaboration with Fabrication, AV, Lighting, and Install teams.

The role focuses on translating concepts into development drawings and 3D models, while ensuring alignment with curatorial intent and museum best practices.

Qualifications

• 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 is essential.
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating with multi-disciplinary and multi-skilled project teams in a gallery or museum environment.
• A commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Create exhibition design drawings and renderings for projects.
• Coordinate with curatorial staff to determine intent and artwork.
• Collaborate with the Graphic Design team.
• Assist the Director in presenting and coordinating exhibition concepts.
• Work as a primary draftsman for the exhibition design department.
• Convert rough sketches and specifications into design development drawings.
• Create CAD or Vectorworks drawings and computer renderings to communicate concept and final design.
• Produce renderings, diagrams, presentations, animations, or 3D models.
• Prepare multiple design versions for review by curators, engineers, and base building architects.
• Specify dimensions, materials, and procedures for new layouts.
• Understand construction technologies at a general level.
• Create construction drawings to communicate with Fabrication and Construction teams.
• Work with Fabrication and Construction teams to ensure design elements are executed as planned.
• Manage model making, maquettes, prototypes, and mock-ups.
• Source materials and services; maintain sample libraries.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Technical drawing

CAD/Vectorworks

Revit

Rhino

Cinema 4D

Adobe Suite

Model making

Communication

Team collaboration

Construction documents

Education

Bachelor's in architecture

Museum spatial studies

MA preferred

Tools

Vectorworks

CAD

Rhino

Cinema 4D

Adobe Suite

Job description

Department: Exhibitions

Reports to: Director, Exhibition Design

Job Type: Regular — Full-time

Job Classification: Hourly (Non-exempt)

Workplace Location: Los Angeles — Academy Museum

Compensation: $30.00 – $32.00 per hour

The Senior Specialist, Exhibition Design is responsible for coordinating the implementation of exhibition design in the Museum while focusing on exploring, generating, and representing concepts and design solutions via renderings, mood boards, and physical models, as well as producing design drawings and shop drawings. Reporting to Director of Exhibition Design, the Senior Specialist will work closely with Fabrication, AV, Lighting and Install teams to understand and address the needs and requirements of any given exhibition.

This position is represented by a union.

Essential Functions Of The Job

• Create unique and impactful design for 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.
• Work as a primary draftsman for 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 concept as well as final design to other departments as required.
• 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 general understanding of construction technologies.
• Create construction drawings to communicate with Fabrication and Construction team.
• Work closely with the Fabrication and the Construction team to ensure that all design elements are executed according to plan.
• Manage the making of models and maquettes as well as prototypes and mock-ups.
• Source materials and services. Obtain and maintain sample libraries.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Competencies:

• 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 is essential.
• Demonstrated experience in 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.

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.

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

@museumLI