How to Be Exhibit Developer - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Feb 16, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

The widespread use of technology has caused an increase in the demand for exhibit developers. Exhibit developers are responsible for creating interactive experiences for museum visitors, utilizing their skills in programming, design, and storytelling. This demand is driven by the need for museums to create engaging exhibits that draw visitors and keep them coming back. As a result, exhibit developers are in high demand and can be found working in museums, science centers, and other cultural institutions around the world.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as art, design, or computer science. You may also need to have experience in other related fields such as coding, animation, or 3D printing.
Get certified in the exhibit development technology you plan to use, such as Autodesk Maya or Unreal Engine.
Develop a portfolio of your work and make sure to highlight any relevant projects that showcase your skillset.
Search for open positions at exhibit development firms or apply directly to museums or other organizations looking for exhibit developers.
Attend industry conferences and take advantage of networking opportunities to build relationships with potential employers.
Create a website to showcase your work and feature examples of your past projects to demonstrate the quality of your work.
Develop relationships with potential clients and keep up-to-date on the latest trends in exhibit development.

As an Exhibit Developer, it is important to stay up-to-date and competent in the field. To do this, it is essential to stay informed on the latest industry news, trends, and technology, as well as attend relevant conferences and training sessions. networking with colleagues and peers can help to expand knowledge and expertise.

Keeping a portfolio of past work is also a great way to showcase experience and capabilities. Finally, staying organized and on top of deadlines is key to success in this field. By following these steps, Exhibit Developers can stay ahead of the curve, build their skillset and make sure their work is of the highest quality.

You may want to check Public Historian, Heritage Manager, and Historical Archivist for alternative.

Job Description

Exhibit Designer: Responsible for concepting, designing, and creating new exhibits for museums and other institutions.
Exhibit Fabricator: Responsible for constructing and assembling the physical components of an exhibit.
Exhibit Installer: Responsible for installing and maintaining exhibits in their designated locations.
Exhibit Programmer: Responsible for programming the interactive components of an exhibit, such as audio and video displays.
Exhibit Content Developer: Responsible for creating content for an exhibit, including text, images, video, and audio elements.
Exhibit Maintenance Technician: Responsible for performing regular maintenance and repairs on an exhibit.
Exhibit Lighting Technician: Responsible for designing and setting up lighting for an exhibit.
Exhibit Logistics Coordinator: Responsible for coordinating the transportation and delivery of exhibit components.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of exhibit design principles
Familiarity with design software, such as Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, etc.
Project management skills
Knowledge of current trends in museum/exhibition design
Ability to work collaboratively with other professionals
Creative problem solving skills
Budgeting and cost analysis skills
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to work independently and on tight deadlines
Attention to detail and accuracy
Knowledge of museum/exhibition lighting, audio, and video systems
Basic computer programming skills

Having excellent communication skills is essential for an exhibit developer. This is because being able to effectively communicate with various stakeholders, such as museum curators, designers, and sponsors, is key for successful collaboration and the development of a successful exhibit. In addition, having a thorough understanding of the scientific and educational content that needs to be included in the exhibit is vital.

The ability to articulate complex concepts in a way that is engaging and understandable to visitors is also crucial. Finally, having good organizational and project management skills will help an exhibit developer stay on track and complete projects on time and within budget. All of these skills are essential for an exhibit developer to be successful in their field.

Historical Writer, Museum Educator, and Historic Landscape Architect are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have developing exhibits?
What was your most successful exhibit project?
Describe a challenge youve faced working on an exhibit development project and how you overcame it.
How do you ensure the accuracy of information and images used in your exhibits?
How do you assess the needs of the target audience when developing an exhibit?
How do you stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and trends related to exhibit development?
How do you collaborate with other departments such as marketing, design, and technology when developing an exhibit?
What strategies do you use to generate engagement with visitors for an exhibit?
Describe a time when you had to adapt quickly to changing circumstances during a project.
How do you create interactive elements that are both informative and entertaining?

Common Tools in Industry

Adobe Creative Suite. A comprehensive set of software applications for creating digital content and designs, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Acrobat Pro. (eg: Designing a brochure for a museum exhibit)
CAD Software. Computer-aided design software used for creating 3D models for use in engineering projects, architecture, and product development. (eg: Developing custom display cases for a museum exhibit)
Storyboarding Software. A tool used to create visual representations of an exhibit's storyline and flow, typically using images and text. (eg: Planning out an interactive exhibit at a science center)
Content Management System. A web-based application used to manage the content of a website or application, such as text, images, videos, and audio files. (eg: Creating a website for a museum exhibit)
Audio/Video Editing Software. Software used to edit audio and video files, such as Adobe Premiere Pro or Apple Final Cut Pro. (eg: Creating a video tour of a museum exhibit)
3D Modeling Software. A tool used to create 3D objects or environments for use in various projects. (eg: Developing 3D models of artifacts for a museum exhibit)
Project Management Software. A tool used to manage the tasks and resources associated with a project, such as budgeting, scheduling, and task tracking. (eg: Managing the development of a museum exhibit)

Professional Organizations to Know

Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC)
American Alliance of Museums (AAM)
International Council of Museums (ICOM)
Association of Children's Museums (ACM)
National Association for Museum Exhibition (NAME)
American Association for State and Local History (AASLH)
American Association of Museums (AAM)
American Association of Museology (AAML)
International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)
International Coalition of Sites of Conscience (ICSC)
International Museum Theatre Alliance (IMTAL)
Themed Entertainment Association (TEA)
International Association of Exhibits and Events (IAEE)
International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA)

We also have Museum Technician, Historiographer, and Museum Director jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

UX Design. UX design is the process of creating products, services, and experiences that provide value to users by improving the usability, accessibility, and pleasure provided in the interaction between the user and the product.
Prototyping. Prototyping is the process of creating a model of a product or feature to test and refine its design before production. Prototypes can range from low-fidelity paper sketches to high-fidelity digital models.
User Testing. User testing is a form of qualitative research that involves observing how users interact with a product or service in order to identify potential problems or areas of improvement.
Usability. Usability refers to how easy it is for a user to interact with a product or service. Usability includes factors such as navigation, user interface design, and accessibility.
User Experience (UX). User experience is the overall experience that a user has when interacting with a product or service. This includes factors such as usability, aesthetics, and emotional responses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Exhibit Developer?

Exhibit Developer is an interactive web-based software platform designed to create interactive online exhibits for museums, galleries, libraries, and other cultural institutions. It enables users to easily create, manage, and share their exhibitions online.

What features does Exhibit Developer include?

Exhibit Developer includes features such as: a drag-and-drop interface for creating digital exhibits; integration with social media platforms; customizable content creation tools; and powerful analytics to track engagement with the exhibit.

How many users can access Exhibit Developer?

Exhibit Developer can support up to 500 concurrent users.

What languages does Exhibit Developer support?

Exhibit Developer supports multiple languages including English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, and Chinese.

How much does Exhibit Developer cost?

The cost of Exhibit Developer depends on the number of users and the features you require. There are a range of pricing plans available to suit all budgets.