Manager, Exhibitions Graphic Design

Job Description

Job Description

Department: Exhibitions
Reports to: Director, Exhibition Design
Job Type: Full Time–Regular
Job Classification: Salary (Exempt)
Workplace Location: Los Angeles – Academy Museum
Compensation: $80,000.00 - $85,000.00

Summary/Objective:
The Manager, Exhibitions Graphic Design oversees exhibition graphic design projects from conception through completion and is responsible for implementing the creative strategy and overall graphic design for the Museum’s exhibition spaces. This includes print and digital design, environmental graphics, collateral, and presentation materials.

The Manager works closely with internal departments and external vendors to ensure accuracy, quality, timely delivery, and adherence to budget requirements. This position supervises one full-time junior graphic designer, freelance designers, and temporary staff.

The ideal candidate demonstrates strong leadership and organizational skills, meets strict deadlines, and thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Essential Functions of the Job:

• Collaborate with curators and exhibition designers to conceptualize cohesive design strategies that are harmonious with the exhibition intent and enhance the visitor experience.
• Create design mock-ups and visual prototypes to demonstrate concepts, materiality, and legibility.
• Working closely with Brand Creative to support the branding and creative identity of projects through the design of visual materials, while preserving the overall branding and identity of the Museum.
• Coordinate with other departments, such as collections, fabrication, lighting, AV, media production to ensure design materials meet the specific needs of each exhibition.
• Supervise the junior graphic designer and temporary staff, providing feedback and guidance on design work and professional development.
• Design and produce a range of print and digital projects, including tile lockups, wall murals, didactic texts, object labels, title cards for gallery media, digital slide shows, wayfinding signages, facsimiles, and reproductions.
• Adhere to the Museum’s special needs and visual accessibility requirements (ADA compliance) within gallery spaces.
• Follow through on creative work from concept to production, balancing various projects and meeting tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Manage project workflows, coordinating schedules, budgets, estimates, contracts, and assignments while negotiating vendor costs and terms.
• Oversee artwork reproductions with the knowledge of resizing, resolution requirements, and touch-ups as required and prepare digital files for graphic production.
• Oversee external production vendors onsite and while ensure their production methods work with rotations and longevity of exhibitions.

Required Competencies:

• A bachelor’s degree in graphic design, visual communications, fine arts, or related.
• Minimum of 5 years of design-related professional experience.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience managing staff.
• Strong creative, conceptual, and critical thinking abilities and expertise in visual storytelling.
• Superior typographical skills.
• Experience managing print production and knowledge of printing processes.
• Mastery of Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Topaz.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Attention to detail and ability to proofread to produce accurate and high-quality work.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills.
• Professional experience working independently and effectively with others, managing deadlines, budgets, and vendors.
• Ability to multi-task and create an organized production schedule that incorporates time for both scheduled and unscheduled projects.
• A commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods while supervising vendors onsite.
• Ability to occasionally use a ladder to install graphics.

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree.
• Experience with project management software such as AirTable.
• Experience designing graphics for three-dimensional and physical environments, including creating and presenting environmental visualizations.
• Experience in motion graphics.
• Familiarity with architectural drawings, including their formats, principles, and terminology.
• Familiarity with how lighting affects graphics.
• Knowledge of current immersive design trends, technologies, and museum exhibition best practices.

Portfolio Requirement: A portfolio is required as part of the application process. Please submit a PDF portfolio showcasing conceptual development, color, layout, typography, and a strong understanding of print materials and production methods.

Required Vaccination: Full vaccination against COVID-19 is required, including any booster vaccinations as applicable.  Exception: Medical and religious accommodations approved by the Office of People & Culture . 

Our Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 15 days of PTO, plus company-paid holidays.
• Additional time off, including summer hours, winter hours, and a cultural floating holiday.
• Paid sick leave
• Paid parental leave
• 401k retirement plan with a company match.
• Clean Air Commuter Program
• Employee Assistance Program through ComPsych Guidance Resources.
• Wellness benefits through Cigna Healthcare.
• Free access to 16,000+ online courses through LinkedIn Learning.
• Free Academy membership screenings.
• Free tickets and screenings at the Academy Museum.
• Employee discounts through LifeMart and Working Advantage.

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