Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To produce custom three dimensional designs for interactive and static exhibits and exhibit components.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. (95%) Within the overall design direction established by the Associate Director, to produce custom hand drawn or computer generated three dimensional designs for individual small exhibit/exhibit component projects (incl. renewal and repair of exhibits) under the general supervision of the Group Leader, 3D and for individual exhibits on major exhibition projects (more than 5,000 square feet) under the general supervision of the Senior Exhibit Designer 3D by:
- conceiving of fresh, thoughtful and engaging three dimensional exhibit design ideas to help communicate exhibit phenomena on a range of science and technology topics to the public;
- discussing ideas, concepts on form, function, colour theory and matching with Associate Director and/or Group Leader, 3D (for small projects) or Senior Exhibit Designer, 3D (for major exhibition projects) to ensure exhibit design ideas harmonize with the department's design direction and overall aesthetic/philosophical objectives for the project;
- researching subject matter and related information;
- investigating prospective materials with suppliers as to their properties and fabrication methods, etc.;
- providing clients with creative graphic design options that satisfy client's stated communication objectives, requirements and target audience;
- ensuring client's input and concerns are addressed in design modifications;
- determining industrial design methods, production processes, materials and layouts most suited to achieve the design objective, meet the department's design/information quality standards and according to accepted design industry practices/techniques;
- estimating time and material to complete own work; recommending materials based on costs, availability and capabilities;
- producing sketches, drawings, renderings and more detailed three dimensional designs using various drawing techniques and/or computer assisted design and drafting tools including formZ, AutoCad and other industry applicable software;
- producing and testing full size exhibit prototypes mock ups as required;
- setting day-to-day work tasks/priorities to coordinate own work with Drafter/Detailer and in-house/external fabrication/production facilities to ensure deliverables are ready on schedule; providing regular updates on progress;
- providing design clarification/guidance as necessary to Drafter/Detailer in their production of working drawings;
- inspecting contracted work to ensure Design Department's standards are met;
- resolving design related production and installation problems on own with counterparts (in-house with Wood, Metal, Electrical, Electronics Shops or external facilities), referring unresolved problems e.g. risks to delivery dates or design quality standards to Group Leader (individual small projects) or Senior Exhibit Designer (major projects) with recommendations e.g. modifications of design and/or materials, methods, etc.
- maintaining electronic and hardcopy design files with completed materials as future reference for exhibit repair, renewal or reuse by International Sales

2. (5%) Performs other duties as required or assigned such as:
- occasionally, answering routine questions from visitors e.g. fire exits, directions, etc.
- operating equipment including colour photocopier, plain paper copier, laser printer, blue print machine, plotter to print drawings;
- participating with orientation of new design staff and offering professional/technical guidance as requested

Knowledge :

Knowledge of industrial exhibition design, form and function, colour and matching theory, principles, techniques and methods to produce custom three dimensional interactive and static exhibits and exhibit components that meet a variety of design criteria such as durability, accessibility and ease of interactivity by visitors, visibility and lighting, structural support. Knowledge of accepted industry practices for fabrication/production; technical standards (TSSA for amusement rides), building and fire codes; industry applicable design tools and software e.g. formZ, AutoCad. Knowledge of Design Department's design direction and standards. Knowledge of internet research resources. Knowledge of suppliers for materials and services such as fabrication, machine parts, installation. Knowledge of aesthetic appearance, material properties/capabilities e.g. woods, metals, plastics, electronics, electrical and other design/production media

Skills :

Conceptual and creative skills to design custom three dimensional interactive or static exhibits and exhibit components considering spatial elements such as shape and size of the exhibit, surrounding area, etc. Communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with other staff members involved with exhibit development, internal clients and counterparts in external production facilities to explain technical issues in readily understood terms e.g. production problems, design techniques and material properties. Mathematical skills for precise measurements and to calculate volume and area for spatial elements, layouts and materials estimates. Planning and coordinating skills to ensure availability of materials for own work activities, to organize own work on multiple assignments and/or to coordinate own work with in-house or external production facilities to meet schedules and delivery dates.

Freedom of Action :

Work is carried out under the general supervision of the Associate Director, Design assisted by the Group Leader, 3D and Senior Exhibit Designer, 3D who are accountable for design direction and standards, overall planning, organization, supervision control and inspection of work, scheduling and workflow, resource allocation, purchase of materials, equipment, tools, services and resolution of work related problems.

Judgement: Freedom exists in position to conceive fresh, thoughtful and engaging three dimensional designs for interactive and static exhibits and exhibit components; to determine design methods according to accepted design industry practices/techniques, production processes, materials, layouts, placement and size of components most suited to achieve the design objective, to meet the department's design/information quality standards and applicable technical standards and codes; to estimate labour and materials for in-house or external fabrication/production.

Accountability: Position is accountable for producing creative, custom and safe three dimensional designs for exhibits on a range of science topics and exhibit components to design department quality standards and design direction; for meeting established project/production schedules by determining own work sequences including coordinating activities with Drafter/Detailer and in-house and external fabrication/production facilities; for client service including regular updates on progress and for archiving electronic and hardcopy design files with completed graphics materials as future reference for exhibit repair, renewal or reuse by International Sales.

Errors such as miscalculated estimates or layouts could be detected and corrected but with significant loss of time, resources and materials