Exhibit Designer at The Texas Zoo

Fossa dude

Fossa dude

Well-Known Member
Sorry if this is not the right place to post this but I'll give it a shot.

The Texas Zoo is doing an Exhibit Design Contest for a real live zoo exhibit in the Animal Kingdom Building. There or many animal exhibits to choose from and the winner will go to The Texas Zoo and design their submitted exhibit! There is much more info on The Texas Zoo site so if your interested you need to read all the information listed. The contest is linked in the home page of the site.

Google- The Texas Zoo and look for Be An Exhibit Designer.
 
This is a new twist on a disturbing trend I have seen in other fields - the trend to get professional services for free by sponsoring a contest. Since I work in the photo industry, I am well aware of how major publications and corporate advertisers are less willing to hire a professional and instead run a contest to "win" the chance to have your photo published. You have not won anything, you have lost by giving away for free something you ought to be paid for. Now a zoo is doing the same thing to try to get professional design services for free instead of hiring an architect or exhibit designer.
 
Isn't that just "smart" instead of "disturbing"?

If you are chosen as a designer, you will meet with our animal care staff to approve the design/materials and schedule the work. You may use some of the items we have available for exhibits. You will have to provide the materials you choose to use that we do not have. We ask that you complete the project within one week of starting the project. We want to be able to get the animals back into their homes as soon as possible.
Click to expand...

haha, that's rich though "you will have to provide the materials"...
 
It is a little clever but I thought if a newbe wanted to take it to the next level it would be quit exciting. I mean come on who wouldn't want to design a real live exhibit even if you had to supply your own materials. It would also look good on a resume. Anyway I see your points.

Please keep commenting. I would like to hear more opinions good or bad.
 
As I read the zoo's info sheet, this sounds like a pretty innocent opportunity for someone to work along side the zoo staff placing rocks, sticks and perhaps a plant in modest exhibit spaces. If you've "decorated" a tank for herps then you can do this. Could be fun for someone, but I can't see how it will aid anyone's resume (unless you are looking for work in a pet chop or at the Texas zoo).
 
I guess to me its like setting up a new fish tank. Even though you may be making a normal exhibit you still get excited about the animal and its home. Thats just my point of view from a pet lover.
 
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