Exhibition display designer

Exhibition display designer job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Exhibitions provide the opportunity for potential buyers to meet a wide range of sellers within a single venue and range from general consumer shows to specialist trade events. Key responsibilities of the job comprise:

• consulting clients about design requirements
• collecting appropriate background and product information
• producing realistic but competitive quotes
• clarifying design issues
• negotiating and agreeing budgets and time-scales
• producing sketches and three-dimensional computer generated images
• ensuring that projects meet specifications, keep within budget and run to schedule
• liaising with suppliers and contractors
• organising and attending meetings
• using a variety of media (including IT) to generate solutions
• delivering final work to clients for review
• maintaining awareness of current creative trends and influences
• replying to queries from clients
• transporting display stands to exhibition venues
• erecting/dismantling display stands at locations.

The work can require long hours and meeting tight deadlines. Travel to exhibition venues and nights spent away from home are often necessary.

Typical employers of exhibition display designers

There are only a few specialist companies that operate solely within the field of exhibition display design. Employment opportunities more commonly arise with general design companies that work in this area. Vacancies are advertised by recruitment agencies, via the internet and in local, regional and national newspapers. Freelance work/self-employment is an alternative option, although this necessitates having substantial experience and a good network of contacts.

Qualifications and training required

Although a degree is not essential for entry into the profession, strong competition for vacancies generally makes relevant experience and/or qualifications essential. Employers may favour those possessing exhibition design, art, design technology, architecture or interior design degrees. Equally, some employers seek candidates with an appropriate combination of personality and skills. Gaining experience via job shadowing, placements or vacation work is helpful.

Key skills for exhibition display designers

IT, languages, sales, financial, marketing and PR skills/experience are usually beneficial. Potential employees should also possess creativity, imagination and commercial awareness and must have excellent communication, organisational, teamworking, interpersonal and project/time management skills.