Job Summary
The job holder is responsible for leading the exhibition design of the KSA Pavilion, transforming the Kingdom's cultural heritage, identity, and future vision into immersive, world-class visitor experiences. This role integrates scenography, multimedia, artefacts, spatial design, and narrative storytelling to create an iconic pavilion that reflects Saudi Arabia's past, present, and future.
Responsibilities
Exhibition Concept Development & Narrative Integration
- Develop overarching exhibition concepts that translate cultural heritage and national identity into impactful experiences.
- Integrate storyline, spatial design, scenography, and media into cohesive narrative journeys.
- Interpret thematic frameworks and curatorial briefs into strong visual and experiential concepts.
- Define the emotional arc, visitor flow, and storytelling sequence of key exhibition zones.
- Ensure alignment between design vision and the Pavilion's national narrative and Expo 2030 themes.
Spatial, Scenographic & Immersive Experience Design
- Produce spatial layouts, experience maps, scenographic sets, and atmosphere designs.
- Integrate multimedia, interactive installations, and physical artefacts into seamless visitor experiences.
- Define visual language, materiality, lighting, and environmental cues that support the storyline.
- Work with technology teams to enable sensory, digital, and immersive elements.
- Maintain quality and feasibility across all exhibition environments.
Cultural Alignment, Authenticity & Expert Collaboration
- Collaborate with historians, cultural advisors, curators, and national institutions.
- Validate authenticity, symbolism, and narrative accuracy across all design elements.
- Integrate Saudi traditions, identity, and cultural expressions in a contemporary, globally accessible format.
- Conduct research into regional heritage, future vision themes, and cultural storytelling patterns.
- Ensure cultural sensitivity and accurate representation in all interpretive decisions.
Cross-Functional Design Coordination & Project Integration
- Collaborate with architects, engineers, content strategists, and audiovisual specialists.
- Lead design workshops and review cycles with creative, technical, and production teams.
- Provide clear design intent documents, guidelines, and visual references.
- Support tendering, contractor selection, and vendor evaluations for exhibition components.
- Ensure exhibition design is integrated with building systems, operations, and visitor services.
Delivery Oversight, Quality Control & Implementation Support
- Review technical drawings, fabrication samples, mockups, and prototypes for design accuracy.
- Monitor production progress to maintain fidelity to concept and narrative integrity.
- Conduct on-site supervision during installation of exhibition environments.
- Resolve design issues, adapt plans where needed, and ensure quality standards are met.
- Support final testing, commissioning, and readiness for public opening.
Cultural Stewardship & National Narrative Integrity
- Ensure that all exhibition elements authentically reflect Saudi cultural heritage, values, and national identity.
- Engage national scholars, historians, and cultural institutions to validate narrative accuracy.
- Safeguard the representation of sensitive cultural themes with appropriate depth, respect, and context.
- Ensure alignment between the pavilion's design narrative and the broader national storytelling strategy for Expo 2030.
- Integrate contemporary and future-oriented Saudi narratives in a way that strengthens global understanding of the Kingdom.
Job Requirements (Minimum Qualifications, Experience, Skills)
Educational Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree n Exhibition Design, Cultural Heritage, Museum Studies, Architecture, Middle Eastern Studies
- Master's degree is preferred.
Professional Certifications Preferred
- Certifications in Experience Design, Museum Studies, Scenography, Curatorial Practice, Immersive Media, or Concept Design.
- Additional training in thematic storytelling, environmental design, or digital experience design is advantageous.
Experience
- A minimum of 7 Experience in (KSA Pavilion Expo 2020/2025, Diriyah, National Museum of Qatar, Ithra, Qatar National Museum, or equivalent flagship cultural institutions).
Nature of Experience
- End-to-end exhibition design for major cultural projects, pavilions, or museums.
- Experience integrating scenography, multimedia, artefacts, and narrative storytelling.
- Collaboration with curators, cultural experts, architects, and AV/tech specialists.
- Experience developing immersive, interactive, or narrative-driven spatial environments.
Job Specific Skills
- Expertise in exhibition, spatial, and scenographic design.
- Strong conceptual and narrative interpretation skills.
- Ability to create immersive multi-sensory environments combining artefacts, media, and architecture.
- Advanced proficiency in design tools (e.g., Rhino, Revit, Vectorworks, Adobe Suite).
- Strong understanding of cultural symbolism, visitor psychology, and experiential flows.
- Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in high-pressure, fast-paced environments.
- Strong communication, visualization, and presentation skills.
