Exhibit Drafting Internship (Summer 2026)

Ideum • Corrales, NM

19h • $18 - $20 • Onsite

About The Position

Ideum seeks a full-time Exhibit Drafting Intern to support detailed design documentation for museum exhibitions currently in development. This is a 60 to 90-day, paid internship, starting on or around June 1, 2026, and extending to around August 15. We are looking for a detail-oriented, entry-level designer with strong drafting skills and an interest in translating conceptual exhibit design into precise, well-coordinated detailed design packages. The intern will work within Ideum’s Physical Design department, collaborating with exhibit designers and industrial designers in our studio above our fabrication shop. Work will focus on exhibit elevations, object display systems, and the integration of graphics and media within built environments during the detailed design phase. This position reports to the Manager of Physical Design, Xusheng Yu. This in-person position is based at Ideum’s studio in Corrales, New Mexico (near Albuquerque and an hour from Santa Fe). This is not a remote position. This internship provides opportunities for mentorship and hands-on experience within a multidisciplinary design-build studio where design intent and buildability must align.

Requirements

• 1–2 years of experience in drafting, industrial design, architecture, exhibit design, or a related field (academic or professional).
• Proficiency in CAD software suitable for producing dimensioned drawings.
• Ability to produce clear, well-organized drawing sets.
• Strong craftsmanship and comfort working with physical model-making materials.
• Strong attention to detail and spatial reasoning skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multiple disciplines.
• Highly organized, self-directed, and eager to learn.

Nice To Haves

• Experience detailing millwork, casework, or architectural environments.
• Experience building scaled architectural or exhibit study models.
• Familiarity with museum object display standards and mount concepts.
• Experience with laser cutting or shop tools.
• Interest in museum exhibition design and public-facing cultural environments.

Responsibilities

• Assist with 2D drafting of exhibit elevations, casework concepts, and object display systems.
• Develop detailed drawing sets suitable for internal and client review during the detailed design phase (not fabrication drawings).
• Produce dimensioned plans, elevations, sections, and integration diagrams that clearly communicate design intent.
• Coordinate with fabricators, graphic designers, and industrial designers to ensure designs are technically feasible and aligned with material, structural, and media requirements.
• Develop layouts integrating graphics, digital media components, mounts, and lighting within exhibit structures.
• Build physical study models and exhibit mock-ups using foam core, card stock, adhesives, and other model-making materials to test scale, proportion, and spatial relationships.
• Participate in internal design reviews and iterative refinement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed