Exhibit Designer Career Guide and Counseling

Question: How does one become a museum exhibit designer? I want to go into a career in museums where I can work on placement and presentation of artifacts. What do I need to major in in college or what kind of education do I need? Would I need architecture or just interior design with history? Is there anyone who is currently in this type of career?

Answer: Good interior design schools are usually in architecture. I would think either history or zoology (for the animals) would be best. Find a national association for this and join as a student--that's the best way to find new info and maybe even an internship.

Question: I want to be an Exhibit Designer. What kind of education do i need to get? How many years of school will I need to have and what kind of "job requirements" will employers seek?

Answer: Most of that kind of work you learn on the job, working at a gallery or a museum. It would help if you had a major in art history, studio art, or probably any kind of design, but beyond that what you really want to get is experience. If you're in school now, I would look for an internship in a gallery or museum where you can start to learn. Good luck to you. Well designed exhibits are a great thing.

Question: What do exhibit designer, set designer, photographer, website designer and art director have in common?

Answer: Visual Art

Question: Salary of Exhibit designer? What would you say the starting salary of someone with their B.S. and starting in an exhibit design firm would be?

Answer: A lot depends on the industry and geographic location. Based on assumptions of a metro area and exhibits for retail type exhibits for trade shows, I would guess a lower end salary of $30K, upper range of $50k. Just a guess. Good luck.

Question: I want to be a set/exhibit designer. what do i major in for college? So heres the deal. I was looking into a Art school in L.A. that i really wanted to attend. Problem is, the benefits i get from VA don't cover the Set/exhibit design program. The V.A. is the only thing that is providing fundings for school and that leads me to try to find a state college to go to that carries the same kind of major. heres the site and info on the major i wanted to do: http://www.artinstitutes.edu/cdc/programs_detail.asp?PID=228&locid=39&dtid=3 does anyone know if theres a state college (i live in california) that offers a major like this? I'm having a hard time finding one. I preferable want it to be in southern california because i already live here. So please, let me know. I'm desperate!

Answer: You can get a theatre/set design degree at many state schools. I'm not familiar with your area so I couldn't name any, but check to see who offers theatre/drama as a major, and take that route. Good luck, and thanks for your service to our Country!

Question: I have been working in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia since 2004 as Exhibit Designer.? Please advise due to the fact my wife will follow me to move in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in the near months. She ask me about how women in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia get jobs? Please advise if you have any information about this. My wife already has experiences as formal job in Indonesia since 1995 as Administration. She really need has activity when she would move in Riyadh. Informal job will OK, as long as not to be a maid. Perhaps, for example as Beautician or Nurse. Anybody has suggestion or information about this?

Answer: If it is similar to Qatar, She basically comes in through your visa, and she doesn't need special permits to work, but she can only work part time. They are pretty lenient about that, but if she wants to work full time, she will have to go through the paperwork. Again, this is based on neighboring Qatar. A nurse may require special registration, but she could clearly work at a hospital in some capacity. I hope that at least gives you some perspective.

Question: Mass communication to Architecture and design? I'm a rising jr, i'm getting my B.S. in Mass Comm, at a small private and not sure, what i want to do with it..however, architecture and design is soo appeling, and i'm good at designing? what should i do? could i go ahead, work towards my B.S. but intern somewhere that appeals architect design such as (exhibit designer, industrial designer, interior designer, set designer..) HELPPPP.

Answer: Yes, the possibilities are enormous. The very best thing would be for you to go and talk with people in each of the areas that you menton. I would start at the college were you ar graduating and get ideas and maybe phone numbers from them, so that you could actually meet up with people in their place of work. If you are particularly in the theater then a set designer is an exciting choice. If you are interested in the arts - them an exhibit designing might be for you etc. I think ifyou speak to a variety of people, your choice will become clear.

Question: I need information about where to look to find someone that can do exhibit panels or banners? I need information on where to look for pricing info and where I can find someone to do panels or banners. I have done searches on the internet and all I find is info on trade shows. I was wondering if there is somewhere that does these things for non profit groups at a cheaper price. I am looking for a place that has the supplies for a panel or banner, the stands, and can also do the printing. We do have a graphic designer but may be interested in thier ideas or suggestions.

Answer: Go to a sign making company. You find them in your local phone book directory.The better companies usually get business through referral and walk-in service. This type of company rarely has a website or do buisness over the internet.

Question: where can i exhibit and sell my art piece? I'm a fine artist and interior designer. i have alot of good and excellent art pieces and i would like to sell it and to start my own buisness.

Answer: Art galleries, that is where people sell and display work.

Question: Atheists, Why Does The Universe Exhibit Design? If there is no designer? Believing that the Universe doesn't have a designer would only make sense if the Universe was random and didn't exhibit signs of design, no? Doesn't it make more sense to believe that the Universe was created by a designer and perhapse that designer himself doesn't exhibit signs of design? The Universe is designed and G-d is random? You REALLY don't believe that the Universe exhibits design!?

Answer: It doesn't. Humans impose a design onto it where none exists, because humans tend to look for patterns in nature. For example, fractals can form complex structures that appear to be designed, but really they are formed by simple equations.

Question: I am looking for information on someone or a company that can do exhibit panels or banners.? I need information on where to look for pricing info and where I can find someone to do panels or banners. I have done searches on the internet and all I find is info on trade shows. I was wondering if there is somewhere that does these things for non profit groups at a cheaper price. I am looking for a place that has the supplies for a panel or banner, the stands, and can also do the printing. We do have a graphic designer but may be interested in thier ideas or suggestions.

Answer: I found these two online, but I haven't used them myself. http://www.displays2go.com/ http://www.e-tradeshowbooths.com/

Question: Please relay your best non-art museum experience...it can be from child or adulthood. Why was it memorable? Please be as specific as possible. I am an exhibit designer and find these "Stories" helpful when designing new spaces.

Answer: I went on a field trip in kindergarten to this museum (somewhere in Illinois) and there was this display I guess, where you could walk in front of these white walls and see your shadow and they'd freeze the image of your shadow on the wall, so if you were jumping or posing or whatever. I'm sure that sounds pretty juvenile or something, but I loved it and I remember it to this day.

Question: How do you get work in art galleries? I'm a graduate award-winning designer who's looking to get into the art gallery scene. Having a permanent exhibition in London has wet my appetite and I was wondering if anyone could offer any advice on how I can establish myself as an artist who exhibits in galleries. I've heard of the saying "It's not what you know, it's who you know". How do you get the connections?

Answer: looking for open calls (calls for artwork from non-member artists) for galleries is a good start. talk to other artists. they will recommend which galleries to look at. do not be afraid to exhibit at places such as coffee houses or book stores that run art shows-it matters the work is being seen, not that it is being seen right up at the guggenheim. go to artist receptions and network with artists, patrons and gallery owners. have an internet presence featuring your artwork-visibility is always a good thing. be certain though to research shows and galleries-not all galleries are open to non-member artists and they may specifically shows one media or type of concept or genre.

Question: Please relay your best museum experience...it can be from child or adulthood. Why was it memorable? Please be as specific as possible. I am an exhibit designer and find these "Stories" helpful when designing new spaces.

Answer: It was and still is my absolute favorite place to visit: the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago. From the U-boat, to the train display (and Burlington Zephyr). to the stairwell with the anatomical sections and the four-stories tall pendulum showing the motion of the earth. This place ROCKS! My earliest memory was back in the 1960's as the old style news teletype hacked away news reports from around the world. That got me interested in going into the news business. The Egyptian mummy display was a scary place as a kid, but still a lot of fun to visit. And just the overall SIZE of this place...it was fun just to hang out, outside.

Question: I've been hired as the interior-designer of the Creation Museum (they want to snaz it up a bit), and? I was just wondering... which of Thomas Kinkade's evangelical friendly paintings, would look divine on the wall beside the "man meets dinosaur" exhibit ? Opinions FROM TRUE CHRISTIANS ONLY!

Answer: nothing says 'Creation Museum' like more dinosaurs with saddles on them and people riding them. edit: behold! http://lettertoamerica.podbus.com/pictures/Jesus%20with%20Dinosaur.jpg

Question: Looking to start an art gallery. Any tips? I figured out where I'm going to rent it out when I evtutally get everything going. Probably during the Summer because I am in school right now. I have a theme and everything scetched out, but I was wondering if I really need more people to be involved in my gallery, as in a curator and such. I am already the exhibit designer, but can I curate and throw the opening party too? I already have a team of promoters. My theme is sexuality interpreted by youth, because what is sexy has been distorted by the media. The format will be a peep show- the art will be behind a fency looking wall like this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/whirlpool/512015923/ except all the way to the ceiling and there wll be holes where you can 'peep' through to see the art work. Any tips on how these can be enginered? What music or what preformers do you think would add to the gallery? I also fear that my age (13) may get in the way of people experiencing the gallery's ambiance to the fullest! Thanks! :)

Answer: I would recommend against planning to start a business-- which is what an art gallery is-- at your age, as a business startup is a major task and will stunt your education. The idea you outline would actually work better as an installation/exhibition in any case. You already have a suitable venue and a promotion team, so you just need to work out dates and costs, and either invite specific artists to participate, or issue a call for entries. If it goes well you could repeat it in following years. Good luck!