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- Be part of the design team for major exhibitions
- Highly creative work with lots of variety
- Progress into senior design roles or running your own agency
As an exhibition designer you could work at large commercial public exhibitions, like the Ideal Home Show, conferences and exhibitions for education, trade and industry, or temporary displays for businesses, retailers, museums, libraries and galleries.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Discussing requirements with clients
- Presenting your ideas as sketches, scale plans, computer-generated visuals and models
- Producing final blueprints after discussions with clients, handling orders for supplies
- Liaising with technical specialists like lighting staff
- Project managing the set-up process from start to finish
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You may need to work extra hours to meet deadlines, especially when events are being staged.
Your work is likely to be studio or office-based, but would usually also involve visiting clients or exhibition sites. In some jobs you may need to travel frequently, in the UK and possibly overseas.
You'll need
This role would be ideal for someone who is creative, thorough and pay attention to detail, works well under pressure and has the ability to accept criticism.
You'll normally need a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like spatial design (exhibitions), interior design, three-dimensional (3D) design or interior architecture.
You may also find exhibition design options as part of some events management, and museums and galleries courses.
You may also be able to get into this type of work as a junior design assistant. To do this, you are likely to need a qualification in art and design, like a diploma or an A level. You are also likely to need experience in using computer-aided design (CAD) software packages.
You'll need to put together a portfolio of your work to highlight your design skills to show at interview.
Work experience would also give you an advantage when applying for training and jobs. You could volunteer to help set up exhibitions, for example with local arts festivals or in libraries.
The British Display Society offers a distance learning course, the Certificate in Display and Visual Merchandising, which includes units on layout, design and lighting.
It may be helpful to join the Chartered Society of Designers, for professional development, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience you may be able to progress to a more senior position, like team leader or senior designer. You could also become freelance, or set up your own company.