Exhibition designer

Exhibition designers create engaging and visually appealing displays that communicate a client's message

As an exhibition designer, you'll be responsible for creating an exhibition that:

• is visually striking
• is accessible
• communicates key messages or themes
• is practical, safe and cost-effective
• meets space, time and budget constraints.

You'll interpret the client's brief, develop creative concepts and designs, and may contribute ideas around visitor experience and product appeal. Some designers also manage the build and installation process, while others focus solely on design.

You can work on a range of projects, including:

• award ceremonies
• brand activations and other promotional events
• commercial exhibitions
• conferences
• cultural exhibitions for museums, libraries, galleries and heritage sites
• product launches
• trade shows.

You may also design temporary displays for businesses and retailers.

Responsibilities

Your responsibilities will depend on the clients you work for and whether you're working on commercial, public or museum exhibitions. In some companies, you will manage the design process from concept through to installation, liaising closely with clients. In others, however, roles may be more specialised, with account managers handling client negotiations.

In commercial exhibition work, you'll need to:

• liaise with clients to understand their brief, including products or services to be promoted, brand identity, target audience, values and commercial objectives
• develop creative and innovative design concepts
• create initial design sketches, mood boards and 2D/3D computer-generated visualisations, sometimes building models and prototypes
• finalise proposals that may include event floor plans, layouts and 3D renderings and present these to clients for feedback and approval
• produce accurate technical drawings for construction and installation
• source and coordinate suppliers, contractors, AV equipment, display furniture, finishes and fittings
• attend regular meetings with the creative team to discuss progress and resolve practical issues during the design and build phases
• organise transport and logistics
• supervise the installation and dismantling of stands or displays onsite and ensure smooth client handover
• ensure the final installation aligns with client expectations and is delivered on time and within budget
• keep up to date with emerging design trends, materials, technologies and software tools
• understand best practices in exhibition design and comply with industry standards and safety regulations
• support wider event branding, including digital content, printed materials, signage and stage design.

In museum, heritage and cultural exhibition design, you'll also need to:

• develop exhibitions that support and enhance the museum's collections, interpretation strategy, curatorial vision and audience engagement targets
• work closely with members from other areas of the museum, such as marketing, education, conservation, front of house and, most crucially, the curator, to develop interpretive content and support materials
• design exhibitions that meet the museum's conservation requirements, including lighting, humidity control and secure display
• source travelling or temporary exhibitions and assess whether they meet content, space and technical requirements
• work with specialists in graphic design, audio-visuals, interactive and immersive technologies.

Experienced and lead designers may also need to:

• lead on the creative and technical development of exhibition concepts from briefing through to execution across multiple projects
• organise team briefings to encourage information sharing and collaboration
• resolve design and technical challenges during development and on-site production
• oversee junior designers and freelancers, ensuring technical accuracy and creative quality throughout the design process
• manage project budgets, ensuring cost-efficiency and value for money
• contribute to strategic direction, innovation and continuous improvement in the design process.

Salary

• Salaries for junior exhibition designers start at around £20,000 to £26,000, depending on your experience.
• Midweight designers with two to four years' experience can earn in the region of £29,000 to £45,000.
• Salaries for lead and head designers or production managers can rise to more than £60,000.

Salaries depend on the type and size of the company you work for, your location, skills and experience. Freelancers are usually paid per exhibition or per day.

Additional benefits may include a pension, life assurance and health and wellbeing packages.

Working hours

Working hours are typically 9am to 5pm. However, you may need to work longer hours, including evenings or weekends, particularly in the run up to an exhibition.

There are some opportunities for hybrid and remote working.

What to expect

• You may work in an office, at a conference centre or at events.
• You're likely to have several one-off projects in progress at any one time.
• The role may also include project management, particularly in smaller companies, which can involve responsibility for furniture, exhibition stands, lighting and rig rental, pre-event marketing, packaging, delivery and storage.
• Self-employment and freelance work are possible once you've got significant experience and have established a network of personal contacts. Having the skills to take a project on from concept through to completion will make you particularly attractive as a freelancer.
• Travel within a working day and overnight absences from home are common when visiting clients or exhibition spaces. You may also have to travel overseas for international trade shows and exhibitions.

Qualifications

You'll typically need a degree, foundation degree, or HND in a subject related to art and design, interior or spatial design, such as:

• 3D design
• architecture
• art and design
• graphic design
• interior and spatial design
• interior architecture and design
• visual arts and visual design.

Courses in these areas may cover areas such as communication through spaces, blending 2D, 3D and time-based design elements. They may also include elements of hands-on model-making, digital rendering and training in computer-aided design (CAD) and visualisation software such as SketchUp, Vectorworks, AutoCAD and those provided by Adobe Creative Cloud. This helps prepare you for a career in multidisciplinary design consultancies, exhibition and event design, interior design and architectural visualisation.

Although you don't need a postgraduate qualification, it can be helpful, especially in museum and heritage exhibition design or if your undergraduate degree is in an unrelated field (although you'll also need relevant work experience).

Search postgraduate courses in exhibition design.

It's possible to enter the profession without a degree by starting in a junior design or assistant role, particularly if you have practical experience and skills in AutoCAD and 3D design. Employers look for a mix of technical and creative skills, hands-on experience and personal qualities.

Alternatively, you could take a creative and design apprenticeship, such as the Level 3 Scenic Construction Technician or Level 6 Creative Design apprenticeship. Apprenticeships combine paid work with part-time study, allowing you to train on the job.

Skills

You'll need to have:

• strong design, technical drawing and 3D visualisation skills, including model-making and 3D rendering
• proficiency in industry-standard design software such as AutoCAD, Autodesk 3ds Max, SketchUp, Vectorworks, Cinema 4D and Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign
• creative and lateral thinking to develop original and engaging design concepts
• excellent communication and presentation skills, both verbal and written, for working with clients and multidisciplinary teams
• strong organisational and time management skills for meeting tight deadlines and managing competing priorities
• the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, including openness to feedback, to achieve a good design solution
• a practical and flexible approach to problem solving to resolve design and technical issues
• attention to detail to ensure accuracy and consistency across design and production
• commercial awareness to understand client goals, branding and budget constraints
• project management skills for managing multiple projects at different stages of completion
• confidence and resilience, especially when working under pressure or responding to last-minute changes
• an understanding of design materials, construction processes and installation requirements, including health and safety considerations.

You will also usually need a full driving licence to visit clients and exhibition venues.

Work experience

You must have a design portfolio, demonstrating your creative range and skills, and some relevant work experience. Some degree courses offer placement and live-project opportunities, which are a good way to build contacts and develop your portfolio. Use the degree show in your final year of study to showcase your work publicly.

You could also volunteer to help set up exhibitions in your local area at art festivals or in libraries or museums, for example.

University or college design departments typically have strong links with the design industry and it's a good idea to take advantage of these networking opportunities during your course and in your search for work placements.

While studying, you can become a student member of the Chartered Society of Designers (CSD), which offers professional recognition and networking opportunities.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

You'll typically work for a design consultancy or multidisciplinary agency. While some companies specialise solely in exhibition or event design, many operate across a broader portfolio that may include branding, interiors, retail, experiential marketing and 3D environments. A few companies offer a full design-and-build service, managing everything from concept through to build and installation.

There are generally more openings and opportunities with larger agencies and creative studios.

You can also find roles with:

• museums, galleries and heritage or cultural organisations - particularly national institutions, cultural venues and science centres
• exhibition organisers and event production companies
• brand experience agencies
• architectural practices with a focus on interior or spatial design.

There is a market for freelance exhibition designers, but it's essential to gain experience and build your portfolio and network of contacts before embarking on a freelance career.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Creativepool
• Design Week Jobs
• Exhibition News
• Museum Jobs
• Museums Association (MA) - you need to register to view jobs.

Specialist recruitment agencies that handle exhibition design vacancies include:

• A1 People
• Careers in Design
• Network Career Consultants
• Mustard Jobs

You can also make targeted speculative applications by contacting agencies or employers directly. Useful employer directories include:

• Association of Event Organisers (AEO) - member list
• Design Business Association (DBA)
• Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA) - events supplier directory.

Professional development

Opportunities for training and development will vary depending on your employer and the size of the company. In smaller companies or studios, training often takes place on the job, learning from more experienced colleagues. You'll typically receive training on company-specific software and systems.

Training is likely to be more structured in larger companies, and some may offer graduate trainee programmes. Training may include:

• internal training sessions or workshops
• work shadowing and rotations across departments
• training in related areas such as project management, procurement, budgeting and health and safety.

To ensure your designs remain relevant and innovative, you'll need to stay up to date with emerging design trends, materials, technologies and software tools throughout your career. You can do this by taking short courses to broaden your skillset in areas such as the latest design software, lighting design, AV integration and spatial story telling.

You could also take courses in specialist areas such as:

• exhibition and environmental design
• retail and point-of-sale design
• museum and visitor experience design
• design for immersive or interactive environments.

Networking at conferences, trade shows and industry events is also valuable for sharing ideas and staying informed about new developments.

The CSD is the professional body for all design disciplines, including exhibition design. They offer advice on continuing professional development (CPD). With at least three years of professional experience, you may be eligible for MCSD (Member of the Chartered Society of Designers) status. You can also work towards becoming a Chartered Designer, the highest level of recognition of professional practice.

Career prospects

You're likely to start as a design assistant or junior designer, learning from more experienced colleagues while building your technical skills and portfolio. With around two to four years' experience, you may progress into a mid-weight exhibition designer role, taking on greater creative and technical responsibility across multiple projects.

Further promotion could be to lead designer, senior designer, creative director or design manager roles. You'll typically take the lead on projects, managing junior team members, coordinating schedules, budgets and suppliers, and sometimes contributing to business development activities such as tendering for new work or bringing in new clients. At the most senior levels, your role may become more strategic, focusing on design direction, innovation, team leadership and client relationships.

Career progression depends to some degree on the size and type of employer you work for. You may need to move employer to further your career, particularly if you work for a small company with limited career opportunities. Larger agencies often have more defined progression routes and opportunities for cross-disciplinary experience.

Your career path will also be shaped by your background and training. Having architectural training, a technical or production background or specialist skills in areas such as digital technologies, AV integration or immersive design, for example, can expand your options and lead to work in areas such as interior architecture, experiential marketing or museum exhibition planning.

With experience, you may also choose to work freelance, taking on contracts for agencies, museums or commercial clients. Developing strong project management and client-facing skills is particularly valuable if you're working independently or aiming for senior roles, especially in smaller companies where roles may be more generalist and may extend beyond pure design.