Museum Technician II- Graphics Technician

Under supervision, an Exhibits Preparator/Graphics Technician is primarily responsible for:  develop a brand style guide for each exhibit, use style guide in the creation of educational materials (pamphlets, brochures, flyers, etc.) for museum programs, events, and workshops, creates logos and graphics for the marketing of Museum exhibits and programs; provides mock-ups or renderings of signage layout and design for curatorial and interpretive review; operates large-format and oversize full-color printers, laminators, and vinyl cutting machine in the production of exhibit graphic components and signage; print & mount interpretive panels and object labels. Additionally, as a member of the Exhibits Team, this position participates in exhibition installation and deinstallation at the Museum and other ISM-affiliated sites; supports exhibit maintenance and repair needs; and organizes, maintains, and archives accurate project graphic files and records for clear and logical retrieval and reproduction.

Each staff member is expected to create work that is visible to the residents of Illinois; work in a team environment across geographic locations and disciplines; perform at a level that reflects national standards and best practices of an accredited museum and brings state, national, and/or international recognition to the Museum; follow all relevant state and federal laws; and abide by professional museum ethics.

We welcome interested applicants who would like to be part of this team to apply today.

Essential Functions

Under the supervision of the Exhibits Production Lead works toward established goals in the ISM’s strategic plan and the Museum’s exhibit plan; and functions as a preparator responsible for developing graphic design packages for temporary and permanent exhibits, and related educational programming and marketing
Under the supervision of the Exhibits Production Lead works toward established goals in the ISM’s strategic plan and the Museum’s exhibit plan; and functions as a preparator responsible for creating and fabricating exhibition interpretive panels and object lables, wayfinding & operational signage, and informational displays
Participates in the preparation, installation, updating, maintenance, and dismantling of exhibitions and exhibition components at the Museum and other ISM-affiliated sites
Supports exhibit maintenance and repair needs
Maintains a clean, organized, and safe work environment
Assists other Exhibit Preparators with their primary duties as necessary (including but not limited to: cutting and assembling mats for photographs and prints, framing artwork, adjusting gallery lighting, construction of exhibit components
Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above

Minimum Qualifications
Requires a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, visual communications, communications, commercial and advertising arts, digital arts, or a related field.
Requires a minimum of 5 years’ relevant work experience in graphic design, communications, commercial or advertising arts, digital arts, or a closely related field.
Requires advanced proficiency in 2D composition & layout, typography, iconography, infographics, and/or digital print mechanicals.

Preferred Qualifications
Four (4) years’ of experience with Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) software.
Three (3) years’ working experience with Microsoft Office 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint) and other desktop design and publishing programs on a Windows operating system.
Four (4) years’ of experience with tools, equipment, and materials used in production of permanent and temporary graphics (large format digital printers, vinyl cutters, laminators, and various mounting and installation techniques, and associated safety practices).
Two (2) years’ of experience preparing digital mechanical files for print, and an ability to effectively communicate with other design-specific contractors and printing vendors.