What does an exhibition designer do?
An exhibition designer creates appealing and creative display stands, meeting the practical, budgetary, and aesthetic requirements. Besides organizing and participating in meetings, explaining design issues, and producing competitive and realistic quotes, exhibition designers also respond to clients' queries and transport their display 'stands' to the required exhibition venues. They deliver finished display stands to clients for reviewing, erecting, and dismantling the stands at different locations and create sketches and 3D computer-produced images. Also, they negotiate and agree on time-scales and budgets.
Exhibition designer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real exhibition designer resumes:
- Modify SRV-1 source code using JavaScript software to attain tracking at any instantaneous time.
- Prepare files for CNC fabrication.
- Assist in the prototyping stage of various exhibits, while improving their design for better testing.
- Programme CNC mill for plywood and acrylic boxes to be set up and disassemble at multiple venues.
- Provide fully detail Solidworks control and installation drawings.
- Develop customized user interaction models using object-orient prototyping.
- Develop customized user interaction models using object-orient prototyping.
Exhibition designer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Exhibition Designers are proficient in CAD, Design Concepts, and Concept Development. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Time-management skills, and Analytical skills.
We break down the percentage of Exhibition Designers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- CAD, 12%
Initial concept hand sketches, CAD layout, 3D rendering and finished color renderings submitted for client approval.
- Design Concepts, 8%
Communicated and presented design concepts to clients and vendors and created presentation materials that effectively communicated vision and goals.
- Concept Development, 7%
Work at Company Furniture Lines Concept Development.
- Design Development, 7%
Provided superior services to clients from design development to construction documentation.
- Trade Shows, 6%
Designed, produced and installed custom structural exhibits for commercial sales centers, trade shows and museums.
- Sketch, 5%
Initiated and oversaw development from initial concept sketch to final production, working closely with Chinese engineering and manufacturing vendors.
Common skills that an exhibition designer uses to do their job include "cad," "design concepts," and "concept development." You can find details on the most important exhibition designer responsibilities below.
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for an exhibition designer to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "graphic designers must communicate with clients, customers, and other designers to ensure that their designs accurately and effectively convey information." Additionally, an exhibition designer resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "lay outing, conceptualize and communication, graphic design, space design, exhibition design. "
Time-management skills. Many exhibition designer duties rely on time-management skills. "graphic designers often work simultaneously on multiple projects, each with a different deadline.," so an exhibition designer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways exhibition designer responsibilities rely on time-management skills: "interfaced with general electric engineers to discuss design projects and deadlines. "
Analytical skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of exhibition designers is analytical skills. This skill is critical to many everyday exhibition designer duties, as "graphic designers must be able to perceive their work from their consumers’ point of view to ensure that the designs convey the client’s message." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "updated all background data model on the assembly drawings. "
Computer skills. For certain exhibition designer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "computer skills." The day-to-day duties of an exhibition designer rely on this skill, as "most graphic designers use specialized graphic design software to prepare their designs." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what exhibition designers do: "produced highly innovative computer based interactive exhibits. "
Artistic ability. Another crucial skill for an exhibition designer to carry out their responsibilities is "artistic ability." A big part of what exhibition designers relies on this skill, since "graphic designers must be able to create designs that are artistically interesting and appealing to clients and consumers." How this skill relates to exhibition designer duties can be seen in an example from an exhibition designer resume snippet: "create design drawings and work with construction staff to revise and adapt based upon production, artistic or budgetary needs. "
Creativity. While "creativity" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to exhibition designer responsibilities. Much of what an exhibition designer does relies on this skill, seeing as "graphic designers must be able to think of new approaches to communicating ideas to consumers." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of exhibition designers: "produced highly creative, unique educational and entertainment based museum exhibits. "
The three companies that hire the most exhibition designers are:
- Peabody Essex Museum2 exhibition designers jobs
- Scoular1 exhibition designers jobs
- New York State Restaurant Association1 exhibition designers jobs
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Compare different exhibition designers
Exhibition designer vs. Graphics specialist
A graphics specialist is an expert at conceptualizing and developing visual art for businesses or individuals, typically for marketing or information purposes. Moreover, there are also opportunities for employment in the web and media industry. As a graphics specialist, their responsibilities include liaising with clients to identify their needs, understanding the purpose and message of the project, developing proposals, coordinating with team members, and conducting revisions as needed, all while adhering to the goals and deadlines set by the client or management.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an exhibition designer are more likely to require skills like "design concepts," "concept development," "design development," and "sketch." On the other hand, a job as a graphics specialist requires skills like "graphic design," "adobe illustrator," "adobe indesign," and "adobe creative suite." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Graphics specialists tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $67,322. In contrast, exhibition designers make the biggest average salary, $63,570, in the professional industry.graphics specialists tend to reach similar levels of education than exhibition designers. In fact, graphics specialists are 4.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Exhibition designer vs. Visual merchandiser
A visual merchandiser is responsible for arranging product displays at retail outlets, attracting customers to purchase the items. Visual merchandisers should be updated with the latest trends in the market to prioritize retail displays and floor plans. They must also be knowledgeable on product information to assist customers with their inquiries and concerns. Visual merchandisers should be creative in setting up the uniformity of the store's visuals within the budget goals. The designs must be appealing enough to drive the customers around the premises, potentially generating revenues and increasing profitability.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real exhibition designer resumes. While exhibition designer responsibilities can utilize skills like "cad," "design concepts," "concept development," and "design development," visual merchandisers use skills like "customer service," "ladders," "sales floor," and "store management."
Visual merchandisers may earn a lower salary than exhibition designers, but visual merchandisers earn the most pay in the retail industry with an average salary of $37,869. On the other hand, exhibition designers receive higher pay in the professional industry, where they earn an average salary of $63,570.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Visual merchandisers tend to reach lower levels of education than exhibition designers. In fact, they're 8.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for exhibition designers in the next 3-5 years?
Abby Guido
Assistant Professor, Tyler School of Art and Architecture, Temple University
Exhibition designer vs. 3d artist
A 3D Artist uses complex software to develop graphics and animations for use in various media, such as video games, television shows, and multimedia presentations. They often work in teams, dividing project workloads in accordance to strengths.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from exhibition designer resumes include skills like "design concepts," "concept development," "design development," and "trade shows," whereas a 3d artist is more likely to list skills in "animation," "unity," "zbrush," and "game engine. "
3d artists make a very good living in the utilities industry with an average annual salary of $112,291. On the other hand, exhibition designers are paid the highest salary in the professional industry, with average annual pay of $63,570.When it comes to education, 3d artists tend to earn similar degree levels compared to exhibition designers. In fact, they're 4.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Exhibition designer vs. Animator
The animators are specialized artists who conceptualized ideas from their creative minds with technology applications. Animators cater to different specialties depending on their expertise. They used multiple techniques and tools to create a digital masterpiece. An animator is required to have an excellent time and project management skills to meet deadlines. They should also be detail-oriented and technology savvy to keep up with the latest trend in the digital market. Animators are required to have regular communication with the respective department for the updates or adjustments as needed.
Types of exhibition designer
Updated January 8, 2025
