One tidbit....museums that advertise for Exhibit Developers aren't always
looking for DESIGNERS...read that advertisement carefully. Developers are
usually researchers and writers who lead the creative process and work
closely with designers to produce the finished story.

Every designer who applied for my last open developer position wasted
his/her time. Although I got to look at a lot of pretty pictures and nice
designs, none of them actually proved they had the skills I required.
Namely, experience with visitor evaluation, writing, and research
experience.

Crucial skills for designers in my department include the ability to
adequately communicate their design ideas in the early conceptual stages of
an exhibition. This might include sketches or verbal descriptions. They
also need to work well in a team environment and to synthesize a large pool
of ideas from lots of different staff--curators, scientists, visitor
services personnel, writers..etc. They need to understand that designing a
wall label is very different from designing a printed piece. And (shameless
plug) they should be members of NAME and/or SEGD.

Diane

On Thu, 29 Jul 2004 13:30:20 -0400, Lance Lankford
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>Can anyone offer advice for beginning a career in Exhibition Design?
>I'm a thirty year old artist, with museum experience as a Preparator and
currently a
>Registrar with a high traffic gallery in NYC.Have also worked as a Graphic
Designer.
>I'm Eyeing a return to school and considering an MFA, for my artistic
interests but
>also a career as an exhibition designer.
>* is there a more specialized curriculum I should pursue, than an MFA?
>* would Museum Studies be more advantageous?
>* what skills are crucial, besides the obvious craft, computer and basic
carpentry?
>Any input is appreciated, thanks!
>----
>Lance Lankford
>[log in to unmask]
>

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