Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To support the design and development of unique science exhibits for the public by; developing drawings and production details for fabrication and installation of exhibits; drafting exhibition layouts for spaces within the Ontario Science Centre (OSC) and for international clients; and producing three-dimensional designs of exhibits.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Develops Construction Drawings

- Consults with designers and fabricators to develop the best method for exhibit construction and determine the level of detail required in drawings, and subsequently develops fabrication drawings using industry standard software (ex. AutoCAD).
- Contributes technical design/detailing perspective to multi-disciplinary team discussion and incorporates fabrication methods compatible with our fabrication capabilities in shops drawings.
- Receives design development drawings from internal or external designer and completes the details for fabrication.
- Develops drawings and ensures alignment with relevant legislation, building codes, accessibility standards and other relevant construction guidelines.
- Updates pre-construction drawings to create as-built drawings post-construction.
- Maintains electronic and other files for future reference.
- Develops floor plans and layouts in consultation with senior designer and project manager

Develops original unique exhibit designs

Within the overall exhibition design direction established by the Director, and under the guidance of the Senior Exhibit Designers and Project Manager:
- Produces custom hand drawn or computer generated three dimensional designs for individual small exhibits and/or component projects within the exhibition in order to allow clients and the project team to visualize the final product. Incorporates feedback into final drawings as appropriate.
- Researches subject matter and related information to support design approach
- Conceives fresh, thoughtful and engaging three dimensional exhibit design ideas to help communicate scientific phenomena on a range of topics to the general public.
- Discusses ideas on colour, materials, form, sustainable design and human centred design principles with director and senior designers.
- Estimates time and materials costs to ensure design fits with budget and timelines.
- Develops and tests prototype or mock-up of experiences where needed.

Other duties as assigned

Knowledge :

- Requires training in design theory, principles, techniques, and methods to create and produce sketches, drawings and computer generated three dimensional designs and renderings using industry accepted tools and software including AutoCAD.
- Knowledge of industrial 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, structural support, visibility and lighting, and accessibility and ease of interactivity by visitors.
- Knowledge of accepted industry practices for fabrication/production, technical standards, building and fire codes, accessibility standards, relevant legislation and industry applicable design tools and software (i.e. Sketchup, AutoCAD, Photoshop, Rhino). Knowledge of suppliers for materials and installation services.
- Knowledge of aesthetic appearance, and materials' properties/capabilities (ex. wood, metal, electronics etc.)
- Knowledge of sustainable design and build practices

Skills :

- Technical skill to understand construction methods and ability to draw using computer software such as AutoCAD to create shops drawings.
- Requires practiced knowledge of structural and mechanical drafting and detailing related to 3D interactive exhibits to produce working drawings for production. Proficiency with industry standard software (i.e. AutoCAD, Rhino, Studio Max, Sketchup),
- Conceptual and creative skills to design custom three dimensional interactive or static exhibits and exhibit components.
- Analytical skill to translate design drawings into production drawings that are consistent with the design intent and can be used effectively by exhibit fabricators to construct the exhibit and make effective recommendations to project team on types of drawings and level of details, materials, processes, to ensure exhibit is safe, reliable, durable and sustainably constructed and suitable for cleaning and maintenance.
- Communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with other staff members involved in exhibit development, internal clients and counterparts in external production facilities. Mathematical skills for precise measurements and to calculate volume and area for spatial elements, layouts and materials estimates. Planning and coordinating skills to organize work on multiple assignments and to coordinate 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 Director of Science Content and Design assisted by project managers and senior exhibit designers who are accountable for overall design direction, project timelines and budgets, overall planning, organization and resource allocation.

Freedom exists in position to prepare meaningful production drawings for exhibit construction/fabrication and for consulting engineers. Judgement is exercised to translate designs into production drawings including details to clarify design intent in discussion with designer.

Freedom exists to conceive fresh thoughtful and engaging three dimensional designs for interactive and static exhibits and exhibit components; to recommend design methods according to accepted design industry practices and techniques, production processes, materials, layouts, placement and size most suited to achieve the design objective.

Position is accountable for producing construction drawings and developing creative custom and safe 3D designs for exhibits on a range of science topics and exhibit components to quality standards and design direction; for meeting project schedules by determine own work sequences including coordinating activities with fabrication. Responsible for updating electronic copy and creating archive and as-built copies.

Errors such as miscalculations on drawings, details specifications, and layouts could have a negative impact on allocated resources, budget, and project timelines. These errors could be detected and corrected by project team but with loss of time, resources and potentially further loss of time if not caught until production commences.