Director of Exhibition Design
The Corporation of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (COFAM) is seeking a Director of Exhibition Design. The Director of Exhibition Design develops design concepts and executes detailed plans according to set schedule for the display of permanent collection and loaned art exhibitions, installations, and rotations by assignment, adhering to museum standards, considering ADA requirements, and considering facility and conservation concerns.
Typical Duties and Responsibilities:
- Works closely with the Director of Exhibitions and Curators to develop and design concepts and plans for temporary exhibitions and permanent collection installations.
- Prepares accurate drawings-to-scale in VectorWorks and other programs as required (i.e. Adobe Suite, Photoshop, etc.), including scaled images of objects accurately illustrating elevations for each exhibition in accordance with scheduled deadlines.
- Manages a team of four (Senior Exhibitions Designer, Exhibitions Designer, Graphic Designer and Exhibition Graphics Preparator) assigning projects per Exhibition Schedule.
- Develops cohesive creative plan for and executes all in-gallery graphics.
- Ensures that departmental practices remain in accordance with design industry standards; employs leading design programs and stays current with technological advancements.
- Works closely and communicates regularly with the Chief Preparator and carpenters, builders, and mount-makers during the design planning (including the preparation of 3-D-models-to-scale), construction, and installation process.
- Maintains comprehensive facility floor plans in Vectorworks with up-to-date information regarding wall configurations, emergency exits, security cameras, lighting, electrical outlets, climate sensors, etc. for reviewing layouts with key staff early in design development.
- Develops working knowledge of existing inventory of exhibition furniture including cases, pylons, moveable walls, mannequins, mounts, platforms, stanchions, etc. that can be re-used whenever possible to minimize budgetary and environmental impacts.
- Provides detailed drawings-to-scale of exhibition furniture, architectural details, risers, platforms, mounts, fabric, etc. to conservation standards; ensures lender display requirements are fulfilled.
- Maintains up-to-date library of paint samples, fabric samples, architectural details, etc.
- Bids, schedules, and manages the professional painting of galleries.
- Works with both Metric and Imperial measurements to create plans for different exhibition partners.
- Works closely with the Exhibitions department to develop and stay within schedule and approved budgets.
- Provides layouts and architectural details to tour venues, artists, and guest designers, as requested as well as final exhibition layouts after installation for staff use When necessary, manages relationship with contracted outside designers.
- Attends regular Exhibitions meetings to discuss layout and installation concerns.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in architecture or design, Master’s degree preferred.
Work Experience: Seven years of progressively responsible experience in exhibition design in an art museum creating preliminary and final working drawings. The ideal candidate will have experience managing a team of designers.
Skills and Abilities:
- Comprehensive knowledge of architectural terms, symbols, details, and design practices and applications.
- Expert and advanced skills in Vectorworks, AutoCAD and the Adobe Creative Suite: Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, as well as SketchUp.
- Ability to effectively utilize software applications such as Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel) and FileMaker Pro.
- Knowledge of standard office equipment and the ability to maintain accurate, up-to-date records.
- Ability to communicate effectively with Museum colleagues, artists, and vendors working in a team environment.
- Ability to travel, take initiative, work independently, and be flexible with changing priorities.
- Strong organizational skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to prioritize multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Ability to envision and execute creative design skills.