Senior Exhibit Designer

Ideum•Corrales, NM

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Position Ideum is a full-service exhibit design-and-build company recognized for creating engaging, visitor-centered experiences that blend digital and physical environments. We work with museums, cultural institutions, and select corporate clients worldwide, bringing complex stories to life through thoughtful design, technology, and fabrication. The Senior Designer is a highly experienced design leader who shapes the spatial and experiential vision of projects from master planning through installation. This role requires strong creative judgment, the ability to work with minimal oversight, and the confidence to lead both projects and people. Senior Designers translate strategy into compelling design solutions while mentoring and developing other designers on the team. A portfolio is required. What You’ll Do Design Leadership Define the spatial and formal design direction for exhibition and experience projects Lead projects across all phases, from concept and schematic design through fabrication and installation Translate interpretive goals and project strategy into cohesive, engaging visitor experiences Produce and oversee high-quality 3D models, renderings, and design documentation Coordinate spatial design with graphics, content, media, AV, and interactive technology Apply a strong understanding of materials, fabrication methods, durability, and maintenance Client & Consultant Collaboration Present design concepts clearly and confidently to clients and stakeholders Lead design workshops and consultant coordination meetings Build and maintain positive, productive client relationships Participate in site visits, construction administration, and installation (travel required) Team Leadership & Quality Control Review work produced by Intermediate and Junior Exhibit Designers to ensure quality and consistency Provide clear, constructive feedback that strengthens design outcomes Serve as a people leader for assigned direct reports, supporting their professional growth Mentor designers in creative problem-solving, technical skills, and project execution Collaborate with producers and senior leadership to resolve design and production challenges Collaborate with technical experts (AV, Software, Physical Engineering) to work around physical and budget limitations to deliver excellent projects What We’re Looking For Proven leadership on complex, high-profile projects from concept through installation Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Exhibition Design, Architecture, Interior Design, Industrial Design, related discipline, or equivalent experience Strong portfolio demonstrating spatial design leadership and built work (required) Advanced proficiency in design and visualization tools (Adobe Creative Suite, CAD, and 3D software such as Vectorworks, Fusion, Rhino, SketchUp, Revit, or similar) Deep understanding of spatial storytelling, visitor experience design, and interpretive planning Experience working with fabricators, architects, and multidisciplinary teams Ability to communicate design ideas effectively to diverse audiences Experience mentoring or managing other designers Familiarity with accessibility, universal design, and inclusive exhibit practices About Ideum We are a multidisciplinary experience design firm that focuses on using emerging technologies in creative and unexpected ways. We create visitor-centric exhibits that evoke wonder, awe, and surprise, while also telling important stories about science, art, history, and culture that have a lasting impact. We work with museums, educational institutions, Fortune 500 companies, and other entities throughout North America and around the world. Our firm provides design services, custom software development, media systems design and installation, and custom fabrication. Our multitouch tables and touch displays are practical implementations of recent advances in multiple areas of emerging technology. Our hardware products are designed for use in social environments that encourage interaction and collaboration. We take pride in what we design and build, focusing on reliability and performance to create products that last. We’ve been a leader in touch table development for more than 15 years. We are located in scenic Corrales, New Mexico (near Albuquerque and an hour from Santa Fe). Please visit our portfolio and product website to learn more about us: http://www.ideum.com. Benefits and Incentives After 90 days of employment, this position includes paid time off, health, dental, and vision insurance, critical illness and accident insurance, life insurance, and short- and long-term disability. Employees are eligible for our 401 (k) Safe Harbor Profit Sharing Plan after one year of employment. This job is on-site in Corrales, NM. Fine Print Ideum, Inc. is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We value a diverse workplace and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, disability status, nationality, or any other status protected by local, state, or federal law. If an applicant needs reasonable accommodations during the application process, they should contact a company representative. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. How to Apply Please include a resume, cover letter, and relevant work samples/portfolio. No phone calls or walk-ins, please. NOTE: Applications without a cover letter and relevant work samples/portfolio will not be considered.

Requirements

Proven leadership on complex, high-profile projects from concept through installation
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Exhibition Design, Architecture, Interior Design, Industrial Design, related discipline, or equivalent experience
Strong portfolio demonstrating spatial design leadership and built work (required)
Advanced proficiency in design and visualization tools (Adobe Creative Suite, CAD, and 3D software such as Vectorworks, Fusion, Rhino, SketchUp, Revit, or similar)
Deep understanding of spatial storytelling, visitor experience design, and interpretive planning
Experience working with fabricators, architects, and multidisciplinary teams
Ability to communicate design ideas effectively to diverse audiences
Experience mentoring or managing other designers
Familiarity with accessibility, universal design, and inclusive exhibit practices

Responsibilities

Define the spatial and formal design direction for exhibition and experience projects
Lead projects across all phases, from concept and schematic design through fabrication and installation
Translate interpretive goals and project strategy into cohesive, engaging visitor experiences
Produce and oversee high-quality 3D models, renderings, and design documentation
Coordinate spatial design with graphics, content, media, AV, and interactive technology
Apply a strong understanding of materials, fabrication methods, durability, and maintenance
Present design concepts clearly and confidently to clients and stakeholders
Lead design workshops and consultant coordination meetings
Build and maintain positive, productive client relationships
Participate in site visits, construction administration, and installation (travel required)
Review work produced by Intermediate and Junior Exhibit Designers to ensure quality and consistency
Provide clear, constructive feedback that strengthens design outcomes
Serve as a people leader for assigned direct reports, supporting their professional growth
Mentor designers in creative problem-solving, technical skills, and project execution
Collaborate with producers and senior leadership to resolve design and production challenges
Collaborate with technical experts (AV, Software, Physical Engineering) to work around physical and budget limitations to deliver excellent projects