Exhibit Designer [Oakland Museum of CA]

The Oakland Museum of California values are fundamental to our institutional culture and guide our work together.

Excellence: We are committed to excellence and working at the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.

Community: We believe everyone should feel welcome and part of our community, both within the Museum and with our visitors and neighbors.

Innovation: We embrace innovation and calculated risk-taking to achieve our mission.

Commitment: Our work at the Museum demonstrates a sense of purpose and a shared accountability for the institution’s success.

POSITION SUMMARY

The primary role of the Exhibit Designer is to translate complex exhibition concepts into physically and intellectually accessible experiences for visitors to OMCA. Through collaboration with colleagues and community representatives, the Exhibit Designer is part of a team that co-creates visitor centered exhibitions that actively engage the Museum’s target audiences.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following reflects OMCA’s definition of essential functions for this position, but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. OMCA may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the Museum’s mission, values, vision, and core commitment to the visitor experience, community engagement, and institutional relevancy for the future;
• Contribute to and support the OMCA strategic plan, annual priorities, and institutional initiatives such as diversity advancement;
• Contribute to a positive organizational culture based on mutual respect, a spirit of collegiality, cooperation, and openness to many perspectives;
• Participate in a culture of ongoing learning, collaboration, innovation, creativity, and community engagement.

POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate with Curator, Experience Developer, and at times, community members, to define how exhibition content, project goals, and visitor outcomes become an experience that advances the Museum’s mission and business goals
• Work with the Project Manager and project team to create an appropriate budget and schedule that ensures a quality exhibition
• Partner with Conservators and Registrars to assess and address aesthetic and technical considerations for displaying collections
• Direct the development of 2d design elements; collaborate with Graphic Designers to establish color and graphic placement to achieve the project goals and outcomes
• Direct the development of in-house media elements; collaborate with Media Producer and Experience Developer to establish visual style and placement to achieve the project goals and outcomes
• Design innovative exhibit components, interactives, and participatory experiences that meet visitor experience goals and OMCA design standards; collaborate with team to find creative solutions to constraints such as budget, timing, and resources
• Provide detailed drawings of installations including plans, elevations, pedestals, cases, built-in displays, custom lighting, seating, furnishings; builds 3d models as required
• Work with the Production Manager and Lead Preparator to direct and oversee the production of exhibits to ensure quality, constructability, schedule, safety, and budget

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

A combination of experience and education that demonstrates possession of the necessary knowledge and abilities for this position is required as noted:

• B.A. Degree in a relevant field required;
• 3–5 years of demonstrable exhibition design work or closely related experience required;
• Portfolio of exhibition design work highly preferred.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• 3d design, architecture, or related knowledge required
• Extensive knowledge of Mac platforms for Vectorworks, MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe Creative suite, FileMaker Pro, Google Apps
• Ability to communicate overall design using 3d sketches and computer renderings to create presentations that express design and concepts for an exhibition
• Experience designing 3d exhibits and interactives for a wide range of ages
• Knowledge of conservation requirements, ADA, fire codes, and general building codes
• Knowledge of exhibition development trends in the museum field

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently exposed to the following:

• Outdoor weather conditions – hot and cold seasonal conditions;
• Noise, such as groups of people working in enclosed areas and vehicle and equipment noise;
• Dust and odors, and;
• Typical office environment.

EEO STATEMENT

The Oakland Museum of California is a multicultural organization, committed to diversity and practicing equal opportunity employment in recruitment and hiring. Qualified candidates of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply for open positions.

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