It’s Show TimE: Exhibition designers work hard to create stunning displays

What a dazzling show! What creativity! Our design brief and objectives couldn?t have been given a better shape! These are just some of the comments that good exhibition designers get to hear after successful shows.

Exhibition design essentially combines a variety of design disciplines like communication design, industrial design and spatial and environmental design.

An exhibition designer is supposed to conceptualise and give shape to spaces and in effect optimise the use of space. They are also in demand for trade fairs selling products like computers, movie sets, thematic interiors and other exhibitions like those showcasing the works of famous painters or promoting our cultural heritage.

What do i have to do?

Exhibition designers create relevant and engaging exhibits that meet their clients? needs as well as impress visitors. The process is tailored to meet each project?s requirements. In-house project teams look after co-ordination throughout the process.

Exhibitions of exceptional quality and innovative designs do help to ensure a steady flow of business orders.

Exhibition designers present their ideas in sketches, scale plans, computer-generated visuals or models for discussions with clients. Once these are agreed upon, they execute the exhibits according to the specifications.

In bigger firms, designers may have a purely designing role while in smaller companies, they are likely to oversee the construction of the components too (usually in workshops) and their assembly and installation at exhibition venues. Designers may also handle orders for supplies and liaise with technical specialists like lighting staff, etc. Successful exhibition designers are known for their creativity and innovation.

They also offer consultancy services to customers. Exhibition designers are judged on various grounds ? their way of communicating with visitors, roles of objects, conservation considerations, visitor flow, lighting design, colour, storylines, project planning and management, temporary or travelling exhibits, showcase design and arrangements, production scheduling, installation, maintenance, health and safety, among other things.

What should i study?

The National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad offers a graduate diploma in design. It?s open to all students who have completed or will appear for the qualifying Plus Two examinations.

They have to complete the foundation programme at the NID. All students opting for this programme undergo a common training in skills and concepts relating to the basic design and design fundamentals for a year.

After the successful completion of the foundation course, they can opt for specialised design training. They are also expected to have a fair knowledge of the relevant design software.

What next?

As an exhibition designer, you can be employed by an independent studio as a team member. Other recruiters include various organisations in the public and the private sectors, the travel and tourism industry, government agencies, museums and cultural institutions.

The corporate communications and visual merchandising departments of the private sector and government-run emporia also offer excellent opportunities for employment.

You can also do freelancing. Premier trade fair organisers such as the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) offer such opportunities. Many designers prefer to work in this fashion and success depends entirely upon individual contacts, reputation and customer goodwill.

The demand for the services of talented and experienced professionals is on the rise. However, reaching the top position as a team leader or as a partner depends on a successful track record and work experience.

WHERE TO STUDY

• National Institute of Design, Paldi, Ahmedabad
• Lincoln School of Architecture, Lincoln, UK
• University of Huddersfield, School of Art and Design, UK
• LaTrobe College of Art and Design, Australia
• Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, Georgia, US