17 Exhibition Designer Interview Questions and Answers

Exhibition designers are responsible for the conceptual design, development, and fabrication of museum exhibitions and displays. As an exhibition designer, you will work with a team of professionals, including curators, educators, and other designers, to create interactive and engaging exhibits.

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in exhibition design, you will need to ace your job interview. During the interview process, you will be asked a variety of questions, ranging from general questions about your experience to specific questions about your design process.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of exhibition designer interview questions and answers.

Are you comfortable working independently on long-term projects?

Exhibition designers often work on long-term projects, so employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable with that. Use your answer to explain how you handle working independently and the strategies you use to stay motivated.

Example: “I am very comfortable working independently on long-term projects because I enjoy learning new things. In my last role, I worked on a project for six months where I had to design an entire exhibition from start to finish. To keep myself motivated, I set weekly goals for myself and made sure to take breaks throughout the day. This helped me feel more energized when it was time to get back to work.”

What are some of the most important skills for an exhibition designer?

This question can help interviewers understand what you value as an exhibition designer. They may ask this question to see if your skills match the job description and requirements. When preparing for this question, read through the job description and highlight any skills that are important for the role. Then, think about which of those skills you have.

Example: “The most important skill for an exhibition designer is communication. Exhibition designers work with many different people throughout the design process. We need to be able to clearly communicate our ideas so everyone understands them. Another important skill is creativity. Exhibition designers must come up with new ways to display information or products. I enjoy coming up with creative solutions to problems.”

How do you create a cohesive look and feel for an exhibition?

The interviewer may ask you this question to gauge your ability to create a cohesive look and feel for an exhibition. Use examples from past projects that demonstrate how you created a unified design for the exhibit.

Example: “I start by researching the client’s brand, including their color palette, logo and other visual elements. I then use these elements as inspiration for my designs. For example, in my last position, I worked with a client who had a bright yellow and black logo. To incorporate this into the overall look of the exhibit, I used bold colors throughout the space, such as neon lights and vibrant paint. This helped me achieve a cohesive look and feel while still maintaining the unique style of the client.”

What is your experience with using digital mockups to present designs to clients?

This question can help interviewers understand your experience with using digital tools to create designs and present them to clients. Use examples from past projects where you used digital mockups to show a client the design of their exhibition space or display.

Example: “I have extensive experience using digital mockups for my designs, as I find they are an effective way to communicate ideas to clients. In my last role, I worked on several large-scale projects that required me to use digital mockups to show clients how their exhibits would look in different spaces. For one project, I created a digital mockup of a museum exhibit to show the client what it would look like when installed in their facility. They were very pleased with the mockup and approved the design.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to make changes to a design to meet client needs.

This question can help interviewers understand how you adapt to changes and challenges. Use examples from your experience that highlight your problem-solving skills, ability to communicate with clients and teamwork abilities.

Example: “In my last role as an exhibition designer, I had a client who wanted to include more information about their company’s products in the design of their booth at a trade show. The original design included only one large screen where they could display videos and images of their products. However, the client requested we add additional screens so they could showcase different aspects of their product line.

I worked with the client to determine what elements would be most beneficial for visitors to learn about their products. We decided on three additional screens that displayed information about the company’s history, its current product line and its future plans. This change required us to rearrange some of the other elements of the booth, but it allowed the client to meet their goals while also providing valuable information to attendees.”

If a client wanted to implement a design element that was impossible to achieve, what would you do?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle challenging situations. In your answer, try to explain what steps you would take to find a solution that works for the client and is feasible in terms of time and budget.

Example: “If a client wanted something impossible like an exhibition with no walls or flooring, I would first ask them if they were open to any other design elements that could achieve the same effect. If not, I would discuss my concerns about the feasibility of this request and offer some alternative solutions. For example, I might suggest using transparent floors so visitors can see the ground below while still having the illusion of being suspended in mid-air.”

What would you do if you were given a tight budget and limited time constraints for an exhibition design project?

This question can help interviewers understand how you prioritize your time and resources to complete a project. Use examples from past projects where you had limited time or budget constraints, but still managed to create an effective design for the exhibition.

Example: “In my last position as an exhibition designer, I was given a tight budget and only two weeks to design an entire exhibit space. However, I knew that if I could get all of the materials needed for the exhibit within one week, then I would have plenty of time left over to focus on designing the actual layout of the exhibit. I worked with suppliers to find the best deals on supplies and negotiated discounts so we could afford more expensive items like custom lighting fixtures. In the end, I completed the project in under a week and it received rave reviews.”

How well do you understand the logistics of transporting and setting up large exhibition displays?

This question can help interviewers assess your experience with the logistics of setting up large-scale displays and how you plan for these processes. Use examples from past projects to highlight your ability to manage logistical challenges, organize teams and meet deadlines.

Example: “In my last role as an exhibition designer, I worked on a project that required us to transport our display components across state lines. We had to coordinate with multiple vendors to ensure we met all necessary regulations and delivered the materials in time for setup. I created a detailed timeline for each step of the process so everyone involved knew what was expected of them. In the end, we were able to deliver everything on time and without any issues.”

Do you have any experience with graphic design software?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with specific software programs. They want to know if you have the skills necessary to complete the job duties of an exhibition designer. In your answer, share which graphic design software you’re familiar with and how much experience you have using it. If you don’t have any experience with a particular program, explain what other software you do have experience with.

Example: “I’ve used Adobe Creative Cloud for all my projects in the past five years. I also have some experience with CorelDraw and Microsoft Paint. While these aren’t professional-grade programs, I find them useful when creating smaller graphics like logos or banners.”

When planning an exhibition, what is the first thing you do?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have a process for planning exhibitions. Use this question as an opportunity to highlight the skills and abilities you use when working on projects.

Example: “The first thing I do when starting a new exhibition is research my client’s brand, their target audience and what they want visitors to take away from the exhibit. This helps me create a plan for how I will design the space so it appeals to these groups of people. Next, I start sketching out ideas for the layout of the exhibit. I try to think about where each piece of art or information should go based on its importance.”

We want to attract a younger audience to our exhibition. How would you go about targeting this demographic?

An interviewer may ask this question to see how you can use your design skills to attract a new audience. Use examples from past projects that helped you reach a younger demographic and show the employer that you have experience working with different age groups.

Example: “I recently worked on an exhibition for a local museum where we wanted to attract more of a younger crowd. I used bright colors, bold fonts and fun graphics to make the exhibit more appealing to children. We also made sure there were plenty of interactive elements so kids could learn through play. The result was a successful exhibition that attracted many families.”

Describe your process for creating a mockup of an interactive display.

An interviewer may ask this question to understand how you plan out a project and organize your time. Use your answer to highlight your organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.

Example: “I start by researching the client’s brand and creating a mood board of images that I can use as inspiration for my design. Next, I sketch out some ideas on paper before moving onto digital mockups using software like Photoshop or Illustrator. After I create several different designs, I present them to the client for feedback. Once they approve one, I move forward with building the actual display.”

What makes you proudest about your previous exhibition designs?

This question can help interviewers learn more about your work history and how you feel about it. They may ask this to see if you have a portfolio of past projects, but they also want to know what you’re most proud of in your career. When answering this question, think about the project that was the most challenging or exciting for you.

Example: “I’m most proud of my last exhibition design because I had to create an entire new exhibit from scratch. The client wanted something completely different than their previous exhibits, so I had to research and develop a new theme and style. It took me several months to complete, but when we opened the exhibit, the client loved it. Seeing the joy on their face made all the hard work worth it.”

Which industries do you have the most experience working in?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience level and how you might fit into their organization. If they’re looking for someone with a lot of experience, you may be able to talk about industries you’ve worked in before. If they’re looking for someone who’s new to the field but has potential, you can talk about industries you’d like to work in.

Example: “I have mostly worked in fashion and retail design, although I’m open to working in other industries as well. I think my skills would translate well to any industry that focuses on visual marketing.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of an exhibition design to get right?

This question can help interviewers understand your priorities and how you approach a project. Your answer should show that you know what’s important in exhibition design, but it also gives the interviewer an idea of how you prioritize tasks.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of an exhibition is the visitor experience. If visitors don’t enjoy their time at an exhibit, they’re not going to remember much about it or take anything away from it. I always make sure my designs are clear and easy to navigate so people can find information quickly. I also try to incorporate elements that will keep visitors engaged and interested.”

How often do you update your skills and knowledge in the industry?

Employers want to know that you are committed to your career and continuously learning new skills. This shows them that you’re dedicated to the position and have a passion for design. When answering this question, explain how you stay up-to-date with industry news and trends.

Example: “I am passionate about my work as an exhibition designer, so I try to learn something new every day. I subscribe to several design blogs and newsletters to keep me informed on what’s happening in the world of exhibitions. I also attend conferences and seminars to meet other designers and hear their experiences.”

There is a lot of competition in this industry. How do you set yourself apart from other designers?

This question can help interviewers understand how you view your role in the industry and what makes you unique. Use this opportunity to highlight a skill or talent that sets you apart from other designers.

Example: “I believe my ability to create designs that are both visually appealing and functional is one of my biggest strengths as an exhibition designer. I also think my attention to detail is something that sets me apart from others in the field. I am always sure to double-check all aspects of my design, which helps ensure there are no mistakes when it’s time for implementation.”