What is taught in the Exhibition Design (B.Des) course?

If you have stumbled across this blog, you are probably as confused as I was once. Exhibition design? What exactly is this course about? What do you do? What does one learn? The first thing which pops into one’s mind is museums. And you would wonder — I just have to place an art piece and create a plaque for it?

No. Instead you will be combining design, storytelling and visual communication to create effective and engaging exhibition spaces that captivate and inspire its visitors. Look up ‘Exhibitionism – The Rolling Stones’ by Pentagram. You will get a better idea.

The Bachelor of Design (B. Des) in Exhibition Design is a four-year undergraduate program offered by several design colleges in India.

And having done my research, let me list down some of the topics that may likely be taught over these four years:

1. Foundation and General Education Courses

- The fundamental design theories & principles

- History & criticism of art

- Cultural studies & museology

- Visual communication and representation

- Space planning and ergonomics

- Communication & presentation skills

2. Exhibition Design Courses

- The principles and processes of exhibition design

- Graphic design for exhibitions

- Designing for visitor experience and engagement

- Lighting Spatial design

- Scenography & fabrication

- Exhibition planning and project management

3. Specialization and Elective Courses

- Museum and gallery design

- Interpretation and storytelling in exhibition design

- Interactive and multimedia exhibition design

- Temporary and permanent exhibition design

- Sustainable design and materials

- Event design and management

- Audience research and evaluation

Of course, the curriculum may vary depending on the specific program and institution.

A good Exhibition design course will equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to design exhibitions that effectively communicate ideas, evoke emotions, and stimulate conversation. Additionally, you will be able to work on real-world projects and collaborate with industry experts, gaining valuable insights and experience that will prepare you for a successful career in the world of exhibition design

After having graduated from this course, some of the potential career paths you could pursue are :

- Exhibition Designer

- Event Designer

- Museum Designer

- Scenographer

- Interpretation Planner

- Exhibition Coordinator

- Art Director

So, if this course seems to pique your interest even a little bit, take a deep dive into the world of Exhibition Design. Look up case studies of various exhibition designs. Talk to people who have knowledge about it. Maybe this is your calling.

Explore our other articles for insights on design learning and the design industry, and advice to improve your design abilities 🙂

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Nandini Seshan

Communication Design/NID Vijayawada

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