Senior Exhibit Experience Designer [National Aquarium, Baltimore, MD]

Description

The Brand Design team is looking for a Senior Exhibit Experience Designer – a creative collaborator with a skill set firmly rooted in environmental graphic design and visual storytelling. This individual will report to the Design Director and will be responsible for the visual development, design and production of all graphics in and around the National Aquarium campus. In an effort to attract, engage and connect with the visitor at all levels, the Exhibit Experience Designer will work within brand guidelines to develop planning, art direction and strategic production methods that align with the creative vision of the organization as well as with the needs of our historic facility. The ideal candidate will be capable of designing for environmental graphics as well as for video and media while managing workflow from concept through production. A natural leader and strong communicator, the National Aquarium Exhibit Graphic Designer will proactively develop and maintain relationships with internal stakeholders, cross-functional partners and external agencies. Experience with architectural rendering and storyboarding is a plus.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL AQUARIUM

Recently named one of Baltimore’s Best Places to Work, the National Aquarium opened in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1981 as a nonprofit aquatic education and conservation organization, the jewel of the city’s Inner Harbor redevelopment. With a mission to inspire conservation of the world’s aquatic treasures, it is considered one of the nation’s top three aquaria and has served more than 40 million guests since its opening.

Today, the Aquarium builds on a 30-year history of both local and global conservation initiatives to make a difference for species and ecosystems around the world. Through our National Aquarium Animal Rescue program, we directly engage in the rescue, care and rehabilitation of marine mammals and turtles. In addition, we participate in important research efforts to confront pressing ocean conservation issues, and in partnership with local, state and federal governments, to advocate for smarter policies. Whether through education, research, conservation action or advocacy, National Aquarium programs provide practical solutions for protecting marine life, our coasts and our oceans.

HOW TO APPLY Interested and engaged applicants should apply through our website http://aqua.org/jobs. Requests for reasonable accommodation can be made by e-mailing HR@aqua.org.

Requirements

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Collaborate closely with the Brand Design Director to develop the experience and information flow of new exhibitions, campus wayfinding and unique environmental opportunities for impactful visitor engagement. Create a deliberate look and feel (to include graphic implementation, materials, fixtures and special flow) that brings our voice to life in a manner that is captivating of large audiences large and small.

• Manage the workflow of all exhibit graphic projects. Provide excellent service and innovative creative solutions that are timely, effective and aligned with brand standards as well as specified budgets and timelines. Delegate project details, communicate with internal clients and coordinate schedules within and across departments as necessary.

• Ability to communicate creative concepts to stakeholders and executive leadership in an eloquent and professional manner, articulating creative rationale clearly and effectively.

• Actively consult with designers and marketing partners across divisions to support creative innovation and a holistic approach to brand synergy. • Energy for collaboration and active participation in creative brainstorming (specifically with regard to research and development phases of concepting, storytelling, moodboarding, storyboarding)

• Manage graphic production by maintaining competitive knowledge of production methods and materials, acquiring bids for jobs, coordinating with project managers on schedule and budget, consulting with the Exhibits and Planning and Fabrication and Operations teams to meet all design and maintenance requirements, and managing contractors as needed to ensure that final production is cost effective, eco-friendly, and of the highest quality.

• Maintain existing campus graphics, replacing damaged or degraded materials as budgeted while challenging the organization to strategically develop forward-thinking graphic standards for environmental and exhibit design.

• Develop and grow Exhibit Graphic Designers and interns, encouraging exploration of ideas big and small, iteration of execution styles, and participation in Brand Design creative brainstorms.

• Commitment to continuous improvement initiatives and ability to solve problems creatively.

• Open to rapid iteration and short-term problem solving as well as long-term vision development.

• Passion for visual communication in all its forms – from the smallest product to the largest space.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Design

• Working knowledge of fabrication/build and installation processes, including architecture and fixtures.

• Proven knowledge of layout principles, aesthetic design concepts, branding, typography and color theory.

• Proven experience leading in project planning, relationship building and large scale execution.

• Deliberate, flexible and dynamic in practice.

• Strong written, oral and presentation skills.

EDUCATION + EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor of Arts Degree in Graphic Design.

• 7+ years of experience in environmental and digital graphic design and brand marketing

• Passion for nature and marine life preferred.

• Portfolio required. Online preferred.

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite. 3D Design software, SketchUp, CAD a plus.