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Author
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Topic: exhibit vs product
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uno
unregistered
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posted 12-12-2003 11:24 AM
which one is more paying? i am a student and like both ..although i think i am more passionate about exhibits and trade shows/theatre/sets...... www.coroflot.com/sugandhgoel IP: Logged |
YES
unregistered
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posted 12-12-2003 12:32 PM
The exhibit industry has been suffering greatly since 911. Business has slowed greatly but is showing a bit of a rebound. There are a lot of out of work exhibit designers to compete with but still work to be found. If you can get involved with internships that helps and there are design competitions to enter hosted by some of the larger companies. See if your school is involved in any. Winning entries sometimes equal entry level positions.There is actually a number ot trade mags you may want to look at. Exhibitor Magazing is I think the largest. They have competitions also.
http://www.exhibitoronline.com/ Hope that helps... IP: Logged |
6ix
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posted 12-12-2003 02:12 PM
You have some really great work in your portfolio. The exhibit industry wasn't doing too awful well before 9/11. That was the straw that broke the horses back. But, things are picking up just fine now, so the industry as a whole is doing better.
As for money, it pays pretty well. The first year or so isn't that great, but after a few years you will be living well. The hours are long and arduous, and the deadlines can be really exhausting. Many times you are bidding against 5-7 different exhibit houses, so you kinda get to treat each project as a design competition. It's a fun industry because you get to work intimately with engineers, estimators, graphic designers, sales, etc.
If you are passionate about it, by all means go for it!
Why not go for the big guys like Mitchell Mack, Contempo, exhibit-group giltspur, telesis, etc? Mack is in San Fran, and Contempo has a few places scattered across the country. Additionally, GM just opened there own exhibit studio.IP: Logged |
YES
unregistered
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posted 12-12-2003 03:26 PM
I think Contempo is on it's last leg... same with Delphi and a few others. George P. Johnson is doing well... mostly automotive clients. Exhibitgroup/Giltspur is doing well on the East Coast and surviving on the West. MC2 is maintaining along with the Taylor Group. Mitchell Mauk is over rated. You'll be overworked and Mitchell's thumb print has to be on everything... he gets the credit and you are overworked. Your portfolio pieces will have his name on them... not yours... plus... I've just about had it with all the repetition in his design. Take an element... repeat it 20xs geometrically and call it design. It's overdone. IP: Logged |
Uno
unregistered
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posted 12-15-2003 02:57 PM
Thanks for the awesome feedback. I a guessing you are both professionals in the field so i absoloutely value your comments. yes my passion definately lies in exhibits and trade shows. Also, could you please suggest some websites I could visit. I am an international student so I would definately like to get hired by a big company especially since it deals with a lot of paper work to hire a foreigner i suppose...unfortunately. I would like to live in the Ny, Boston or SanFran area..Thanks a ton!  IP: Logged |
3d extrusion
unregistered
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posted 12-15-2003 05:31 PM
If you enjoy working your ass off and knowing your design is already past due while they turn it over to you, then welcome to the exhibit industry. Last minute drive thru jobs own you. I'm not sure how everyone else feels about the industry but every project that I've gotten has some pretty unrealistic budget. "You want what and when?"  On top of this, the industry is super small. It may seem really big but everyone knows each other somehow... just my rant of the day. IP: Logged |
3d extrusion
unregistered
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posted 12-15-2003 05:33 PM
and I forgot to mention good luck!IP: Logged |
6ix
unregistered
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posted 12-15-2003 05:59 PM
3d extrusion...that's hilarious. You totally nailed it! It's a small group of exhibit designers and after a while, you tend to know just about everyone. Kinda cool, but it definately makes you watch your mouth.
Yup, I hear ya on the "they want a 40'x 50' island for $2 a square foot?" WTF?! Seems like you are always working with unrealistic budgets, but it just forces you to be incredibly creative. You get to have your hand in all aspects of the design. And when you get really, really good, you can even have a signature look to your renderings and sketches.
One suggestion. Maybe look into doing a scale model of one of your designs. Models are still used in presentations from time to time, but only for the really big ones. When you only have a 20% chance of even winning the job, it's not worth putting that much work into every project.
Hmmm, websites....
Contempo, Telesys, e-g, folio, design agency, mc2, etc. Those are ones I would check out. Can't think of others off the top of my head. if you can get an issue of Exhibitor Magazine, you will find just about everything you need.
Best wishes!! I think you have a really bright future in the field.
Oh, and if you want to "hob nob" with some exhibit and environmental designers, try to go to Neocon in chicago.IP: Logged |
YES
unregistered
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posted 12-15-2003 08:18 PM
Agreed... The industry is small and nutz. So much is expected. I see so many small companies that want what the big boys have but they don't realize that the big boys are paying top dollar for their design and fabrication. The cheapest bastards... the clothing industry. The richest I've seen... the pharmaceutical and medical supply industries... well gaming likes to spend money too... same for SemiCon.There is also the Exhibitor Show coming up in March. It's in Vegas just like always...
http://www.exhibitoronline.com/exhibitorshow/ IP: Logged |
/
unregistered
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posted 12-17-2003 04:49 PM
Sugandh Goel:You have some good work. I graduated from CCAD a few years ago and have been working in the exhibit industry. Your spoon handle is a familiar CCAD project. I think everyone that has gone through that school has done that project sophomore year. IP: Logged |
Uno
unregistered
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posted 12-17-2003 06:32 PM
quote:
Originally posted by /:
Sugandh Goel:You have some good work. I graduated from CCAD a few years ago and have been working in the exhibit industry. Your spoon handle is a familiar CCAD project. I think everyone that has gone through that school has done that project sophomore year.
/,
Yup it was a sophomore year project and since its my first semester as a junior thats what i had to show. I would really like to know about your experiences as a young designer straight out of school ..looking for a job etc..what is it like? and if you dont mind me asking..whats the pay like where u r at/or for an entry level designer? 6ix,
I did a 1/2" scale model of my design.. i will post pictures of it soon... IP: Logged |
/
unregistered
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posted 12-19-2003 12:32 PM
Uno, I had a job for an interior design co in Columbus out of college, was bored with that and Columbus, so I found a job in another state and moved. Pay is decent.Job market is good and picking up. IP: Logged |
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