Associate Exhibition Designer

At The Huntington, we believe that having a team of diverse backgrounds and voices working together will enable us to support and promote the appreciation of the humanities, the arts, and botanical science. The Huntington is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, disability, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law.

Founded in 1919, The Huntington is a collections-based research and educational institution open to the public, housing world-class library, art, and botanical collections. Its mission is to support research and promote education in the arts, humanities, and botanical science and to display and interpret its extraordinary resources for diverse audiences.

Here we are committed to the highest of standards in all that we do – from preserving and protecting the collections, to exhibitions, educational and scholarly programming, visitor and reader services, and beyond.  Achieving excellence across these pursuits requires a diversity of perspectives, expertise, experience, and methodologies. 

At The Huntington, our organizational Culture is shaped by the following core values: Intellectual curiosity, Collaboration, Stewardship, Belonging, and Integrity.

• Intellectual Curiosity: Knowledge, lifelong learning, and a spirit of inquiry are at the core of our mission and organizational culture.

• Collaboration: Teamwork and a collaborative attitude are important at all levels of The Huntington. We foster relationships internally among our departments and externally with organizations throughout the community.

• Stewardship: We are committed to the care and development of our collections, our financial and physical resources, our staff, and our community.

• Belonging: We strive to attract and maintain a workforce of individuals with diverse talents, backgrounds, and perspectives. Our organizational culture promotes a sense of welcome, inclusion, and connection.

• Integrity: We value respect and honesty, working to fulfill our mission with honor and ethical principles.

About the Role

The Associate Exhibition Designer develops and executes 2-D and 3-D designs for permanent collection displays, in-gallery graphics and signage, labels for accessioned outdoor sculptures, and select temporary exhibitions across the Institution’s Art Museum, Library, and Botanical divisions.

The role establishes and maintains design standards for collection displays and exhibitions, including interpretive graphics, wayfinding, accessibility, construction, and built environments, in alignment with museum best practices. Working closely with exhibition coordinators, curators, editors, registrars, conservators, preparators, technical staff, and colleagues across multiple departments, the Exhibition Designer translates curatorial objectives into effective, accessible, and technically sound design solutions. The role also coordinates with external designers, fabricators, vendors, and contractors to ensure the quality and timely delivery of exhibition elements.

The Associate Exhibition Designer reports to the Head of Exhibition Management.

S/he/they will demonstrate a background of working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, geographic and socioeconomic backgrounds, using a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible approach.

This is a limited-term position to cover a leave of absence for approximately six months.

Essential Duties

Graphic Design and Production

• Design exhibition identity and graphics, including title walls, interpretive panels, object labels, wayfinding, and directional signage, from concept and prototyping through proofing, production, and installation.
• Maintain consistent visual standards across permanent collection galleries and temporary exhibitions, using a range of materials and applications, including vinyl, murals, mounted panels, and printed graphics.
• Coordinate in-house production and as needed with external vendors to fabricate, deliver, and install graphics and signage in collaboration with exhibition management, curatorial, registration, and preparator teams.
• Research, prototype, test, and evaluate materials and production methods to identify effective, durable, and appropriate solutions.
• Collaborate with curators and editors to review exhibition text, incorporate revisions, and manage proofs through final approval.
• Prepare files for in-house printing, including files supplied by external designers, and produce graphics for permanent collection displays and temporary exhibitions.

Exhibition Design and Development

• Review curatorial checklists, sections, and themes to determine object placement and scale within galleries, and develop scaled plans, elevations, and sections showing proposed layouts.
• Develop design concepts and construction and fabrication drawings for gallery layouts, built environments, and new or modified exhibition elements, including architectural details, risers, platforms, mounts, fabrics, and other display components. Ensure designs meet curatorial objectives, conservation standards, lender requirements, and applicable technical and building codes; in addition to budget parameters and implementation schedule.
• Recommend finishes and materials for walls, cases, platforms, and other exhibition elements, consulting with curatorial, conservation, registration, preparation, and security staff to ensure the safe and appropriate display of artworks.
• Prepare clear object installation diagrams identifying critical conservation, lighting, security, and other requirements.
• Collaborate with exhibition coordinators, curators, registrars, conservators, preparators, facilities, security, fabricators, mount-makers, and other stakeholders throughout design development, construction, and installation; attend project planning meetings, coordinate design deliverables, and meet established implementation schedules.
• Incorporate applicable engineering, electrical, fire safety, accessibility, building code, and other technical requirements into exhibition designs.
• Coordinate the integration and installation of audiovisual and other media with gallery media technicians for permanent collection displays and select temporary exhibitions.
• Partner with exhibition coordinators to develop and manage design budgets and schedules, obtain estimates, coordinate contracts, and control production costs while supporting curatorial objectives and museum standards.
• Participate in gallery installations and deinstallations, reviewing object and graphic placement with curators and verifying dimensions, finishes, and design execution.
• Provide design support for the Art Collector’s Council and other internal Art Museum projects at the request of the Office of the Director.
• Design Administration and Standards
• Manage the Exhibition Design Request system for permanent collection display requests, coordinating priorities and responding to project needs.
• Maintain current design practices, technologies, software, materials, and production methods in accordance with museum and industry standards.
• Maintain and periodically update the Permanent Collection Graphic Standards Style Guide to ensure consistency across permanent collection displays.
• Apply applicable Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements and accessibility best practices to exhibition design.
• Maintain accurate, scaled gallery floor plans by conducting site measurements, verifying existing conditions, and documenting changes to layouts, walls, openings, fixtures, and equipment. Ensure plans remain current and reliable for exhibition planning, design development, fabrication, and installation.
• Maintain the inventory of reusable exhibition elements, including pedestals, cases, vitrines, risers, and plinths. Coordinate requests from exhibition coordinators, preparators, and external contractors, and track use and availability to reduce costs and environmental impacts.
• Maintain current samples of paint, fabrics, and other materials to support exhibition planning and gallery maintenance.
• Organize and maintain design and production files including production specifications, vendor information, and as-installed documentation for future rotations, maintenance, and gallery planning, according to established file-naming and folder-organization standards.
• Maintain design supplies and equipment, coordinate software updates, and oversee the operation and maintenance of Epson printers.
• Coordinate and support design work with exhibition coordinators and contract designers as needed.
• Undertake additional administrative and design responsibilities under the supervision of the Head of Exhibition Management, as required.
• May perform other related duties as assigned.

Candidate Requirements and Experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in graphic design, environmental graphic design, exhibition design, architecture, art, or a related field.
• Minimum of four years of professional experience in the position offered or a related occupation.
• Intermediate proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator.
• Intermediate proficiency in Vectorworks or comparable software for space planning, 2D drafting, and architectural drawings.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Strong understanding of typography, layout, color, visual hierarchy, and legibility in environmental graphics and interpretive materials.
• Ability to interpret and produce architectural, construction, and fabrication drawings, including plans, elevations, sections, and details.
• Knowledge of graphic production methods, fabrication techniques, materials, finishes, and construction methods used in exhibition environments, including furniture, casework, and built environments.
• Knowledge of space planning, building codes, and accessibility requirements, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and an understanding of inclusive exhibition design principles related to legibility, wayfinding, visitor circulation, and diverse audience needs.
• Experience developing and tracking project budgets, obtaining vendor estimates, and managing production costs.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, competing priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary environment.
• Strong verbal, written, and visual communication skills, including the ability to present design concepts, explain technical specifications, incorporate feedback, and develop effective design solutions.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders and external partners, including curators, exhibition coordinators, contract designers, fabricators, and graphic vendors.
• Flexibility and adaptability in responding to evolving project requirements and changing circumstances.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a museum environment.
• Experience with 3-D modeling and rendering software, such as SketchUp, Rhino, or comparable applications.
• Experience with museum exhibition lighting and in-gallery digital media installations.
• Experience typesetting and proofreading multilingual content, particularly Spanish and Chinese.

Working Conditions

• Ability to sit for extended periods while working at a desk and computer.
• Visual acuity and the ability to communicate effectively to identify and address safety and security concerns promptly.
• Ability to access and traverse a large campus, including galleries, meeting locations, and outdoor spaces, on paved and unpaved surfaces and in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to frequently bend, reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, and climb stairs as needed.
• Ability to work professionally and remain attentive to safety and visitor needs in public spaces.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to operate a motor vehicle.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds as needed.
  

Compensation & Benefits

We provide competitive compensation, generous benefits and perks for all eligible employees including:

• Pay Range: $85,000.00- $89,000.00
• Medical, Dental, Vision 
• Considerable paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and holidays
• Discounts for staff in The Huntington Store and restaurants
• Free admission to various museums and cultural institutions
• Free passes each month to welcome family and friends to visit the grounds

The Application Process

Please submit a cover letter and CV/resume as a single PDF attachment. 

Portfolio: Applicants should provide a portfolio or equivalent work samples demonstrating graphic design, spatial design, technical documentation, and completed projects.

You will have the opportunity to submit additional documents on the “My Experience” section of the application.