Exhibition designer

Career path and progression

With experience you may be able to progress to a more senior position, like team leader or senior designer.

You could also become freelance, or set up your own company.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• knowledge of the fine arts
• design skills and knowledge
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Art and Design - Exhibition designers draw on strong visual skills to create sketches, scale plans, and models that communicate their ideas to clients. Understanding colour, composition, form, and spatial aesthetics is central to designing displays that are visually engaging and tell a clear story.
• Design and Technology - Exhibition designers work with materials, construction techniques, and manufacturing processes to turn their designs into physical displays and installations. They need to understand how structures are built, how different materials behave, and how to solve practical problems during the set-up process.

Also relevant

• Computer Science - Exhibition designers use computer-aided design (CAD) software and 3D modelling tools to create detailed visuals and blueprints. Understanding how these software systems work at a deeper level helps them produce more sophisticated designs and troubleshoot technical issues.
• Physics - Exhibition designers need to understand how structures support weight, how lighting behaves in a space, and how materials respond to forces. This knowledge helps them design displays that are safe, stable, and make the best use of lighting effects.
• Mathematics - Exhibition designers work with scale drawings, spatial measurements, and budgets on every project. Calculating dimensions, material quantities, and ensuring that designs fit precisely within a given space all require confident mathematical skills.
• Business - Exhibition designers manage budgets, handle supply orders, and liaise with clients throughout a project. Many go on to become freelance or set up their own companies, where understanding pricing, marketing, and client management becomes essential.
• English Language - Exhibition designers present ideas to clients, write project proposals, and communicate with technical specialists like lighting staff and construction technicians. Being able to explain design concepts clearly – both in writing and in person – helps keep projects running smoothly.
• History - Exhibition designers often create displays for museums, galleries, and heritage organisations, where understanding historical context is important. Knowing how to research and interpret historical themes helps them design exhibitions that are accurate and meaningful.