OEC exhibit specialist form teams with curators and subject matter experts to prepare exhibitions that meet the highest standards of educational effectiveness and accessibility. Exhibits Central's facilities handle many aspects of Smithsonian exhibition, including design, editing, graphics, model making, fabrication, crating and exhibition installation. The Office is also involved in concept development, object selection, product research, and prototype testing. OEC also conducts training in exhibit design and production, and has an active intern program that is available to students throughout the country and around the world. The Design, Editing, and Graphics Team works with a curator's preliminary ideas to develop an overall exhibition plan.
Exhibit designers are responsible for all aspects of visual presentation.
OEC's exhibit editors work closely with designers and with subject specialists to ensure that words, design and artifacts work together to create an effective presentation. This team also provides illustration services. The Graphics Unit of this team provides silk-screening, typesetting, photo mounting, conservation framing and matting services, with fluency in all major computer graphics applications. The Model-making Team creates scientifically and historically accurate dioramas, models, mannequins, and other replicas. Their staff are expert in bracketing artifacts for safe display.