Mediabistro
Overview
The Exploratorium develops, fabricates, and maintains educational interactive exhibits and installations for public display at the Exploratorium’s site in San Francisco and other venues worldwide. The Senior 3D Designer is involved from initial concept development to final production, helping create exhibition environments that are immersive and hands-on. The ideal candidate will be able to envision environments in which spaces, exhibits, and people interact, with a hands-on approach and a commitment to continuous learning. The Senior 3D Designer will work across 3D and 2D aspects of an environment, from landscape or architectural work to fixtures, furniture, and graphic design, and will move between these areas as needed. The role includes creating full-scale immersive prototypes and collaborating with designers from industrial design, architecture, engineering, and fine arts. The Senior 3D Designer reports to the Director of Exhibit Production and works closely with Project Directors and Project Managers. This position differs from the 3D Designer role in its emphasis on self-direction and independent production of high-quality exhibit designs. Essential Functions
Execution: Consistently deliver high-quality exhibit / exhibition designs across a number of projects with minimum supervision. Idea Generation: Produce quick and expressive 2D and 3D sketches to communicate and document design ideas, including those of other team members, clients, and project partners. Documentation: Produce high-quality architectural and exhibition renderings at various scales, including lighting, textures, atmospheric effects, and engaged visitors. Documentation (continued): Produce professional-level design documentation that meets standard technical and code requirements for fabrication and installation, including materials, dimensions, and ADA. Documentation (continued): Produce exhibition design intent drawings for fabrication, standard architectural drawing sets, and permitting sets. Flexibility: Adapt to project constraints with proactive solutions; work on a range of projects from grant-based R&D to external client projects; collaborate with exhibit developers on the design of hands-on interactive exhibits; work with design, engineering, graphics, editorial, web, and production staff; assist in client / community meetings and presentations. Judgement: Make timely exhibit / exhibition design and development decisions; exercise creative discernment and disciplined editing of ideas. Production / Vendor Oversight: Organize and coordinate design and production by vendors and outside fabricators; oversee production to ensure consistent look and feel, build quality, and function. Other duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications
Studio-based bachelor’s degree or higher in architectural design, landscape architecture, industrial design, or a related field from an accredited college/university, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Minimum five years of professional experience in space design fields such as architecture, landscape architecture, retail, hospitality, exhibit, or urban design. Concept sketching skills for both quick ideation and more complete presentation sketches; CAD drawing in the form of plans and elevations (AutoCAD, REVIT, SketchUp/LayOut preferred); and 3D CAD modeling and visualization (SketchUp/LayOut, AutoCAD, 3D Studio Max preferred). Extensive knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite. Excellent storytelling and narrative skills; model-making skills and knowledge of machine and wood shop tools are a plus. Knowledge of construction and fabrication processes; knowledge of building systems and construction techniques is a plus. Outstanding communication, presentation, and design team collaboration skills. Talent for collaboration and effective teamwork; demonstrated ability to work with people at all levels of an organization. Excellent eye for visitor use issues and the ability to work with the visitor research and evaluation department to address issues. Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously with minimal supervision. Ability to adhere to budgets and timelines for individual exhibits and to meet project goals. Interest in science, informal learning, and community engagement is a plus. Application Details
This position is open until filled. It is a fixed-term (11/1/2025 – 10/31/2027), full-time (37.5 hours per week), non-exempt, union position that includes benefits. The starting range for this role is $41.94 to $44.43 per hour, representing steps 1-3 on a 6-step union pay scale. Please, no phone calls regarding this job. To apply, please visit the Exploratorium job page. The Exploratorium is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity, inclusion, and respect. We welcome and strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. Exploratorium Piers 15 / 17, San Francisco, CA 94111 Website: https://www.exploratorium.edu/about/jobs Notes
The Exploratorium is committed to an inclusive workforce.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The Exploratorium develops, fabricates, and maintains educational interactive exhibits and installations for public display at the Exploratorium’s site in San Francisco and other venues worldwide. The Senior 3D Designer is involved from initial concept development to final production, helping create exhibition environments that are immersive and hands-on. The ideal candidate will be able to envision environments in which spaces, exhibits, and people interact, with a hands-on approach and a commitment to continuous learning. The Senior 3D Designer will work across 3D and 2D aspects of an environment, from landscape or architectural work to fixtures, furniture, and graphic design, and will move between these areas as needed. The role includes creating full-scale immersive prototypes and collaborating with designers from industrial design, architecture, engineering, and fine arts. The Senior 3D Designer reports to the Director of Exhibit Production and works closely with Project Directors and Project Managers. This position differs from the 3D Designer role in its emphasis on self-direction and independent production of high-quality exhibit designs. Essential Functions
Execution: Consistently deliver high-quality exhibit / exhibition designs across a number of projects with minimum supervision. Idea Generation: Produce quick and expressive 2D and 3D sketches to communicate and document design ideas, including those of other team members, clients, and project partners. Documentation: Produce high-quality architectural and exhibition renderings at various scales, including lighting, textures, atmospheric effects, and engaged visitors. Documentation (continued): Produce professional-level design documentation that meets standard technical and code requirements for fabrication and installation, including materials, dimensions, and ADA. Documentation (continued): Produce exhibition design intent drawings for fabrication, standard architectural drawing sets, and permitting sets. Flexibility: Adapt to project constraints with proactive solutions; work on a range of projects from grant-based R&D to external client projects; collaborate with exhibit developers on the design of hands-on interactive exhibits; work with design, engineering, graphics, editorial, web, and production staff; assist in client / community meetings and presentations. Judgement: Make timely exhibit / exhibition design and development decisions; exercise creative discernment and disciplined editing of ideas. Production / Vendor Oversight: Organize and coordinate design and production by vendors and outside fabricators; oversee production to ensure consistent look and feel, build quality, and function. Other duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications
Studio-based bachelor’s degree or higher in architectural design, landscape architecture, industrial design, or a related field from an accredited college/university, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Minimum five years of professional experience in space design fields such as architecture, landscape architecture, retail, hospitality, exhibit, or urban design. Concept sketching skills for both quick ideation and more complete presentation sketches; CAD drawing in the form of plans and elevations (AutoCAD, REVIT, SketchUp/LayOut preferred); and 3D CAD modeling and visualization (SketchUp/LayOut, AutoCAD, 3D Studio Max preferred). Extensive knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite. Excellent storytelling and narrative skills; model-making skills and knowledge of machine and wood shop tools are a plus. Knowledge of construction and fabrication processes; knowledge of building systems and construction techniques is a plus. Outstanding communication, presentation, and design team collaboration skills. Talent for collaboration and effective teamwork; demonstrated ability to work with people at all levels of an organization. Excellent eye for visitor use issues and the ability to work with the visitor research and evaluation department to address issues. Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously with minimal supervision. Ability to adhere to budgets and timelines for individual exhibits and to meet project goals. Interest in science, informal learning, and community engagement is a plus. Application Details
This position is open until filled. It is a fixed-term (11/1/2025 – 10/31/2027), full-time (37.5 hours per week), non-exempt, union position that includes benefits. The starting range for this role is $41.94 to $44.43 per hour, representing steps 1-3 on a 6-step union pay scale. Please, no phone calls regarding this job. To apply, please visit the Exploratorium job page. The Exploratorium is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity, inclusion, and respect. We welcome and strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. Exploratorium Piers 15 / 17, San Francisco, CA 94111 Website: https://www.exploratorium.edu/about/jobs Notes
The Exploratorium is committed to an inclusive workforce.
#J-18808-Ljbffr