Apprentice Museum Exhibit Designer Jobs in California

Position:

The UX, Exhibit Content & Interactive Experience Designer is responsible for designing engaging exhibit experiences from concept through installation. This role combines user experience design, exhibit content development, interactive technology planning, graphic communication, and project management into one multidisciplinary position. Working alongside Exhibit Development, Education, Software Development, Fabrication, and Creative teams, this individual translates educational goals into intuitive, memorable guest experiences while coordinating the many moving parts required to bring those experiences to life.

The ideal candidate combines strong visual communication and content design skills with a user-centered design mindset. They are equally comfortable crafting compelling exhibit content and validating design decisions through research, technology integration, prototyping, and testing with real guests.

Responsibilities:

Experience & Exhibit Design

• Design engaging exhibit experiences from concept through installation.
• Translate educational objectives into intuitive, hands-on guest experiences.
• Develop exhibit flow, interaction models, and visitor journeys.
• Create exhibit concepts, mockups, wireframes, and experience documentation.

UX Research & Testing

• Lead UX research throughout exhibit development.
• Prototype physical and digital interactions.
• Conduct guest testing with children and families.
• Analyze guest behavior and improve experiences based on research.
• Develop intuitive onboarding moments that minimize guest confusion.

Exhibit Content & Graphic Design

• Create exhibit graphics, instructional panels, wayfinding, and educational messaging.
• Design user interfaces for interactive exhibits and digital experiences.
• Maintain consistent visual standards across exhibits.
• Prepare production-ready artwork for fabrication.

 Interactive Technology Integration

• Collaborate with software developers and technology vendors to define interactive functionality.
• Develop functional specifications for digital interactives.
• Understand sensors, RFID, projection systems, touchscreens, audiovisual systems, lighting, and exhibit control systems.
• Bridge communication between designers, developers, and fabricators.
• Participate in technology testing, commissioning, and troubleshooting.

 Project Management

• Manage multiple exhibit projects simultaneously.
• Develop project schedules, milestones, and deliverables.
• Coordinate work across Education, Creative, Fabrication, Technology, Marketing, Operations, and outside vendors.
• Identify project dependencies and critical paths.
• Track budgets and procurement.
• Maintain project documentation.
• Coordinate exhibit installation and turnover.

 Vendor & Fabrication Coordination

• Coordinate graphic production.
• Review shop drawings and proofs.
• Manage fabrication schedules.
• Operate or oversee rapid prototyping using 3D printing.
• Coordinate exhibit commissioning and punch lists.

Qualifications:

• Overall understanding of exhibition development from concept development through installation, as well as standards and best practices for exhibitions.
• 5+ years of experience in a museum or interpretive position, including; designing interactive exhibits, museums, themed entertainment, science centers, or experiential environments.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating UX, exhibit design, interactive design, graphic design, and visitor experience.
• Strong project management skills.
• Excellent research, writing, editing and oral communications skills, including public speaking.
• Ability to manage many projects at one time, prioritizing, meeting deadlines and planning for high efficiency.
• Ability to analyze and track results.
• Experience managing consultants, vendors and partnerships.
• Accountability: we are accountable for delivering on our commitments.
• Effectiveness: we believe being effective allows us to best realize the mission of the institution.
• Must be available, and/or have reliable transportation to travel to Orange County and Los Angeles campuses as requested, or needed.

Technology Knowledge

• Interactive exhibit technologies
• RFID systems
• AV systems
• Touchscreen interfaces
• Projection systems
• Show control
• Lighting integration
• Basic software development processes
• Hardware integration
• Rapid prototyping / 3D printing

Preferred Software

• Adobe Creative Suite
• Figma
• Microsoft Office
• AutoCAD or SketchUp (preferred)
• Project management software (Monday.com, Asana, Smartsheet, or Microsoft Project)

 What's In It For You:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Optional supplemental insurance coverage
• 401K with up to 4% match after one year for full-time employees
• 14 Free general admission tickets per year
• 4 Bubblefest tickets plus admission
• 10% of on-site dining and shopping discount
• Employee discounts through ADP
• Accrued paid time off for full-time employees
• 10 paid company holidays