Exhibition designer

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Exhibition Design (or Exhibit Design) is the design of displays, furnishings or environments for non-residential interior spaces - typically temporary - such as for commercial tradeshows, public events, museums, libraries and retail spaces.

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This article has been tagged since November 2006.

1 The work
2 Hours and Environment
3 Entry
4 Training
5 Opportunities
6 External links
- 6.1 Organizations

[edit] The work

Exhibition designers design exhibitions and display stands for events such as:

Large public exhibitions such as the Ideal Home Show
Conferences and exhibitions for trade and industry
Temporary displays for business, museums, libraries and galleries

Their work can include:

presenting their ideas as sketches, scale plans, computer-generated visuals and models
discussing their ideas with clients
producing final specifications
in smaller companies, overseeing the construction of the components (usually in workshops) and assembly and installation at the exhibition *venue
handling orders for supplies
liaising with technical specialists such as lighting staff.

[edit] Hours and Environment

Exhibition designers in larger companies may work basic hours of 9am to 5pm, but overtime may be required. In smaller companies they may work longer hours including weekends. The work is studio or office based, but will usually also involve visiting clients or exhibition sites. Designers may be required to travel extensively, in this country and abroad, depending on the job. A driving licence is useful, and often essential.

Skills and Interests - To work as a designer you need:

design and artistic skills
the ability to think creatively and laterally
technical drawing skills and computer aided design experience
knowledge of safety and licensing regulations
the ability to work to tight deadlines
model making skills
good communication skills
the ability to use computer aided design (CAD) packages
numerical skills
awareness of health and safety issues
teamworking ability.

[edit] Entry

You may be able to enter at junior assistant level. It will be an advantage if you have Interest and ability in areas such as:

drawing
computer aided design (CAD)
photography

Before applying either for work or training you should put together a portfolio of your art and design work. Entry requirements for designer positions vary between different jobs, but whether or not they require formal qualifications, all employers will expect to see evidence of your design ability, so you will need a relevant and up to date portfolio. You might be able to enter from another area of design. Many employers will expect you to have a formal qualification. The following courses can provide entry routes:

British Display Society (BDS) vocational qualifications include:

the Advanced Diploma in Exhibition Design
a range of design certificates.
They are offered by a limited number of colleges. You can get further information from BDS. Please see the Further Information section for contact details.

Degrees and foundation degrees in design subjects

You can do a degree in exhibition design at a limited number of universities. Other relevant subjects at foundation degree and degree level include:

spatial design
interior design
three dimensional (3D) design
graphic design

For entry to a degree you are likely to need one of the following:

two subjects at A level
a recognised art and design foundation course ( not to be confused with foundation degrees)
another Level 3 qualification, such as an AVCE in Art and Design or a BTEC National Diploma in a relevant subject area.
You will be interviewed and asked to show a portfolio of your work. If you do not have the formal qualifications you may be considered if you can demonstrate exceptional talent through your portfolio and experience.

For entry to BTEC/SQA Higher National Diploma (HND)/Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Art and Design you will usually need:

five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3)
one A level/H grade or the equivalent.
For all courses entry requirements may vary, so you should check with colleges and universities for their specific requirements.

For information about foundation degrees see Foundation Degree Forward. To search for colleges and universities offering art and design foundation courses, foundation degrees, HNDs and degrees see Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). If you are aged between the ages of 16 and 24 may be able to enter the general design field by undertaking an apprenticeship. Please see the Training section for more information.

[edit] Training

You may be able to take part in graduate training scheme with larger companies. Other training opportunities will depend on your employer and the size of the company. You may be able to:

work towards work-based qualifications attend college by day release to study for vocational qualifications such as NVQs/SVQs shadow more experienced staff. NVQs/SVQs are available at Level 2 in Design Support, Level 3 in Design and Level 4 in Design Management.

It will be useful to join a professional organisation such as the Chartered Society of Designers as this will give you access to advice, and opportunities for ongoing training and development and networking.

Apprenticeships may be available for those under the age of 24. In England these are currently Apprenticeships (level 2) and Advanced Apprenticeships (level 3). To find out more about these, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Apprenticeships may be different in other areas. For further information see Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland

[edit] Opportunities

As an exhibition designer you might be employed as part of a team by an independent studio. Other employers include national and local government, and large organisations such as museums with their own design departments. There is a steady demand for the services of talented and experienced professionals.

Promotion to team leader or partner may be possible with a successful record of work. Many designers work freelance and need to build up contacts and reputation in order to be successful.

The annual income section is intended as a guideline only. Income for exhibition designers varies depending on ability, reputation and the type of employer. Newly-qualified designers earn around £15,000 per year. Experienced designers can earn £25,000 upwards. Freelance designers may charge per exhibition and rates vary widely.