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Apprentice Museum Exhibit Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Harvard University

Senior Exhibition Designer

Cambridge, MA

$112K - $120K/yr

... Designer oversees all 3D and graphic exhibit design work for the HMSC exhibits department ... This position requires advanced knowledge of museum exhibit design, visual content interpretation ...

RAVENSWOOD STUDIO

Technical Designer

Lincolnwood, IL · On-site

$25 - $34/hr

Technical Designer Reports to: Associate Director of Technical Design About Ravenswood Studio Inc ... museum exhibit, display, cabinetry / millwork, theater / opera, or themed environments. Ability to ...

Ravenswood Studio, Inc

Technical Designer

Lincolnwood, IL · On-site

$25 - $34/hr

Technical Designer Reports to: Associate Director of Technical Design About Ravenswood Studio Inc ... museum exhibit, display, cabinetry / millwork, theater / opera, or themed environments. • Ability ...

Ravenswood Studio

Technical Designer

Lincolnwood, IL

$25 - $34/hr

Technical Designer Reports to: Associate Director of Technical Design About Ravenswood Studio Inc ... museum exhibit, display, cabinetry / millwork, theater / opera, or themed environments. Ability to ...

Children's Museum of Atlanta

Museum Educator

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$18.35 - $19.35/hr

Through community outreach initiatives, educational programs, and exhibits designed for children ... Create exhibit pop-up and museum programming with guidance and approvals from Manager of Gx ...

The Museum of Flight

Exhibit Developer

Seattle, WA · On-site

Summary The Exhibit Developer supports the mission of The Museum of Flight by designing, developing, and creating engaging, educational, and visually appealing exhibits and experiences. This ...

State of Colorado

Designer (Graphic & Exhibits)

Denver, CO · On-site

$59K - $65K/yr

... Exhibit Designer position works as part of a highly successful team to create dynamic and engaging exhibits, to share the diverse stories of Colorado with History Colorado Center museum visitors and ...

Museum Of Life And Science

Exhibit Fabricator II

Durham, NC · On-site

$25 - $30/hr

Durham's favorite destination, the Museum of Life and Science , is seeking an Exhibit Fabricator II ... Designs and/or adapts appropriate technologies to fulfill exhibit concepts and implements these in ...

Ideum

Fabrication Floor Manager

Corrales, NM

$65K - $75K/yr

... exhibit designers, producers, technicians, industrial designers, and fabricators to manage ... Ensure adherence to ADA, client, and museum-grade quality standards. * Coordinate with shipping and ...

Brown County

Museum Director

Green Bay, WI

$95K/yr

Plans exhibit scheduling with curators; makes final decisions as to yearly exhibit schedule. Makes ... and fund development designed to meet the organization's strategic plan or carry out the ...

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Apprentice Museum Exhibit Designer information

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How much do apprentice museum exhibit designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for apprentice museum exhibit designer in the United States is $22.02, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $24.04 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How to become a set and exhibit designer?

To become a set and exhibit designer, typically a bachelor's degree in museum studies, design, fine arts, or a related field is required. Gaining experience through internships or entry-level positions, developing skills in design software like AutoCAD or Adobe Creative Suite, and building a strong portfolio are essential steps in the career path.

What does a museum exhibit designer do?

A museum exhibit designer creates and develops displays and installations for museums, combining artistic and technical skills to communicate information effectively. They plan layouts, select materials, and collaborate with curators and educators to ensure exhibits are engaging and educational, often using design software and adhering to safety standards.

Is it hard to get hired at a museum?

Getting hired as an Apprentice Museum Exhibit Designer can be competitive, as it often requires relevant education in design or museum studies, along with some experience or internships. Strong skills in graphic design, 3D modeling, and knowledge of exhibit construction are also important for increasing chances of employment.

What are some common challenges faced by Apprentice Museum Exhibit Designers and how can they be addressed?

Apprentice Museum Exhibit Designers often encounter challenges such as balancing creative concepts with practical constraints like budgets, timelines, and space limitations. Navigating collaboration with curators, fabricators, and educators can also be complex, as each stakeholder may have different priorities. To address these challenges, apprentices should develop strong communication skills, seek feedback regularly, and stay organized to manage multiple tasks effectively. Embracing flexibility and being open to constructive criticism are key to thriving in this dynamic, team-oriented environment.

What does an Apprentice Museum Exhibit Designer do?

An Apprentice Museum Exhibit Designer assists experienced designers in creating engaging and educational displays for museums. Their work involves helping with research, designing layouts, selecting materials, and setting up exhibits under supervision. Apprentices gain hands-on experience with design software, fabrication techniques, and exhibit installation, while learning about museum standards and visitor engagement. This role is ideal for those interested in combining creativity, history, and education in a collaborative environment.

What is the difference between Apprentice Museum Exhibit Designer vs Museum Exhibit Designer?

AspectApprentice Museum Exhibit DesignerMuseum Exhibit Designer
CredentialsEntry-level, often requiring basic education or trainingRelevant degree or certification in design, art, or museum studies
Work EnvironmentUnder supervision, learning on the jobIndependent or team-based design projects in museums
ResponsibilitiesAssisting with exhibit setup, learning design principlesCreating and implementing exhibit designs independently

The Apprentice Museum Exhibit Designer is an entry-level role focused on learning and supporting exhibit projects, while the Museum Exhibit Designer is a professional responsible for designing and executing exhibits. The apprentice position offers hands-on experience, whereas the designer role requires more expertise and independence.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Apprentice Museum Exhibit Designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Apprentice Museum Exhibit Designer, you need a basic understanding of design principles, art history, and spatial planning, typically supported by coursework or a degree in design, museum studies, or a related field. Familiarity with design software such as Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, and CAD systems is commonly required. Creativity, attention to detail, strong communication, and teamwork skills help you effectively contribute to collaborative exhibit projects. These abilities ensure engaging, educational exhibits that enhance visitor experience and support the museum's mission.

What degree do you need to be an exhibit designer?

To become an apprentice museum exhibit designer, a bachelor's degree in fields such as museum studies, fine arts, graphic design, architecture, or related disciplines is typically required. Relevant skills include knowledge of design software like Adobe Creative Suite and understanding of exhibit construction and conservation.
What cities are hiring for Apprentice Museum Exhibit Designer jobs? Cities with the most Apprentice Museum Exhibit Designer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Museum Exhibit Designer jobs? The most popular types of Museum Exhibit Designer jobs are:
What states have the most Apprentice Museum Exhibit Designer jobs? States with the most job openings for Apprentice Museum Exhibit Designer jobs include:
Apprentice Museum Exhibit Designer jobs near you

Exhibit Designer - Kraemer Design + Production

PlayCore

Cincinnati, OH • On-site

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago

PlayCore rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 11 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Kraemer Design + Production (KD+P) is seeking an mid-career Exhibit Designer to help create imaginative, educational, and highly engaging visitor experiences for children's museums, science centers, nature centers, visitor centers, and family-focused attractions. KD+P specializes in interactive experiential exhibit design and production, supporting projects from concept design through installation, including interpretive environments, graphics, lighting, media, cabinetry, special effects, and hands-on interactive components.
The Exhibit Designer will translate client content, educational goals, and audience needs into memorable, durable, and buildable exhibit experiences. This role is ideal for a creative designer who enjoys storytelling through space, play, physical interaction, visual communication, and collaborative problem solving.
Key Responsibilities
  • Serve as a primary point of contact for clients
  • Develop exhibit concepts that transform client content into engaging, family-centered experiences with clear visitor takeaways.
  • Create sketches, mood boards, spatial studies, 2D layouts, 3D models, renderings, and presentation materials that communicate design intent.
  • Design hands-on interactives that are intuitive, durable, safe, inclusive, and appropriate for children, caregivers, school groups, and multigenerational audiences.
  • Collaborate with project managers, content developers, graphic designers, media designers, architects, fabricators, engineers, and client stakeholders throughout the design process.
  • Support master planning, concept design, schematic design, detail design, and production documentation phases.
  • Integrate interpretive goals, learning objectives, visitor flow, accessibility, ergonomics, materials, finishes, lighting, graphics, audio, media, and fabrication considerations into cohesive exhibit environments.
  • Prepare design documentation, including plans, elevations, sections, details, material references, interactive descriptions, and fabrication notes.
  • Participate in client presentations, design reviews, charrettes, internal critiques, and coordination meetings.
  • Prototype, test, and refine interactive ideas as needed to improve usability, visitor engagement, durability, and educational impact.
  • Coordinate with fabrication partners to ensure design intent is maintained while adapting to budget, schedule, material, and constructability requirements.
  • Review shop drawings, samples, mockups, and installed conditions for consistency with the approved design.
  • Stay current on museum, attraction, play, learning, accessibility, and interactive design trends.

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in exhibit design, industrial design, environmental design, architecture, interior design, themed entertainment design, museum studies, graphic design, or a related field; equivalent professional experience will also be considered.
  • Professional portfolio demonstrating strong conceptual thinking, visual storytelling, spatial design, and hands-on or experiential design work.
  • Experience developing visitor-centered environments, exhibits, interactives, themed spaces, educational environments, play environments, or public-facing attractions.
  • Strong sketching, visualization, layout, and presentation skills.
  • Working knowledge of 2D and 3D design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, Rhino, Revit, AutoCAD, Vectorworks, SolidWorks, or similar software.
  • Ability to design within real-world constraints, including budgets, schedules, fabrication methods, maintenance needs, accessibility, safety, and durability.
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to explain design ideas clearly to internal teams, clients, and fabrication partners.
  • Detail-oriented approach with the ability to move between big-picture concept development and practical production documentation.
  • Ability to manage multiple assignments, meet deadlines, respond to feedback, and contribute in a collaborative studio environment.

Preferred Experience
  • Experience designing exhibits for children's museums, science centers, nature centers, visitor centers, aquariums, zoos, libraries, cultural institutions, or family entertainment venues.
  • Understanding of child development, family learning, informal education, universal design, ADA accessibility, and visitor behavior.
  • Experience with mechanical, low-tech, digital, media-based, sensory, role-play, water, air, light, sound, motion, or cause-and-effect interactives.
  • Knowledge of materials, finishes, cabinetry, casework, graphics, lighting, audiovisual systems, and exhibit fabrication techniques.
  • Experience participating in design charrettes, stakeholder workshops, client presentations, and interdisciplinary project meetings.
  • Experience coordinating with architects, contractors, engineers, fabricators, installers, educators, evaluators, and content experts.

What Success Looks Like
  • You create exhibit ideas that are imaginative, hands-on, visitor-centered, educationally meaningful, and practical to build.
  • You can turn complex content into simple, engaging, hands-on experiences that invite participation and discovery.
  • You balance creativity with the realities of fabrication, installation, maintenance, safety, and client goals.
  • You communicate visually and verbally with clarity, confidence, and flexibility.
  • You contribute positively to a collaborative team culture and help projects move forward with thoughtful design solutions.

Work Style and Expectations
The Exhibit Designer should be comfortable working in a fast-moving, project-based studio where ideas are developed collaboratively and refined through feedback. This position requires curiosity, resourcefulness, humility, strong follow-through, and a willingness to solve design challenges at multiple scales-from the overall visitor journey to the touchpoint details of an individual interactive.
Application Materials
  • Resume
  • Portfolio or work samples showing concept development, spatial design, interactive design, rendering, documentation, and completed project experience where available
  • Brief note describing why you are interested in designing interactive family-focused experiences with KD+P

Equal Opportunity Statement
KD+P is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and encourage candidates who bring different perspectives, experiences, and creative approaches to exhibit design.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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