The Exhibition Designer, Patrick H. Sears, and his staff did exhibition work, from 1985 to 1988. In 1988, the team was given department status and named the Department of Design and Installation. The name of the Department was changed to Design and Production in 1994 and remains so to the present. The Department of Design and Production reports to the Associate Director, Exhibitions and Facilities.

Sears was Exhibition Designer from 1985 to 1988. He only held the title of Head, Design and Installation briefly before he was promoted to Assistant Director, Exhibitions and Facilities. Within a year, John R. Zelenik was hired to take his place as Head, Design and Installation, 1989-1994, and Head, Design and Production, 1994-1996. Richard Franklin served from 1996 until about 2000. Dennis Kois was the next incumbent and still serves in this capacity to the present.

The Department of Design and Production designs, develops, and installs exhibitions, rotations, and exhibit halls. It also oversaw the reinstallation of artifacts in the Freer Gallery of Art after the Gallery's 1985-1989 renovation.