Designing a stand goes beyond setting up walls and banners for your clients to occupy a space in an exhibition hall; it’s about creating an engaging world where they can take the spotlight. As an exhibition designer, you are the creative mind defining their expo success; the visionary crafting a booth that will captivate audiences and convey compelling brand stories.
But how can you transform a trade show stand into an experience that leaves a lasting impression? In this blog, we will dive into six key tips for exhibit designers to create an attention-grabbing display that keeps people engaged.
1. Understand Client Goals
Like any other project, comprehending goals is the first step to getting a crystal-clear vision. Since you are an exhibit designer creating for clients, their list of objectives acts as a map that will guide your conceptualisation journey. What are they trying to achieve? New leads, product showcases, or social media buzz? Knowing all these is essential to avoid going in circles come the design development process.
How to Get There:
- Ask Questions: If you can, communicate with the clients to personally ask about their exhibition goals. Most of the time, there’s more to the provided briefs and email exchanges that will help you truly capture their brand essence and inspire you in shaping the stand.
- Know Their Story: If having a conversation isn’t an option, set a time to research the client as your initial exhibition designer role. Are they launching a new product? Are they reinforcing their brand entity? Getting a grasp of where the client is currently at will help you frame your design decisions.
2. Create a Clear Concept
Now that you have the objectives, it’s time to get the creative juices flowing. How you turn those goals into a fresh and visionary concept will be the backbone of your exhibition stand. You may want to create mood boards to achieve the right feel or look for booth inspirations to see what worked.
Ways to Shape Your Vision:
- Focus on a theme or story: Your concept must have a clear and understandable theme or story behind it, one that attendees will be immediately drawn to when they see your booth. For example, if your client sells green products, focus your concept on sustainability, which can be conveyed through a diverse range of natural materials and earthy tones.
- Craft a Visual Identity: Since custom exhibition displays are experiential marketing platforms, your story should be brought to life through uniform colours, textures, and branding elements. Consistency will help visitors get what your stand is about in an instant.
3. Design Layout and Flow
You know how some booths just feel right? That’s because of their smart layouts that flow naturally. When conceptualising your client’s stand, prioritise strategic element placement to ensure attendees won’t be confused about the setup. Make them feel guided without having staff to lead them because the stand’s layout seamlessly directs them where they need to be.
Layout Hacks:
- Create Pathways: One of the essential exhibition designer skills is creating clear pathways that effortlessly navigate visitors within the stand. Bonus if you can strategically highlight key features along the way, especially if the client’s goal is to launch more than one product during the expo.
- Avoid Clutter: Less is always more, even in designing exhibition stands. Organisation is key when creating a layout since having too much to convey and sell will always overwhelm visitors.
4. Integrate Interactive Features
While this tip highly depends on the client’s preferences and budget constraints, adding experiential features is a surefire way to make an engaging exhibition space. Who doesn’t love to get hands-on at a trade show? With VR setups or product experience sessions, visitors would choose to stay on the stand and learn more about the brand.
Ideas for Interactivity:
- Touchscreens and Kiosks: These digital interfaces keep guests entertained and engage them to dive deep into the brand story and offerings.
- Product Demonstration: Again, while this depends on the client’s exhibition intentions, having a product demo is another interactive touch that can be quite a crowd-pleaser. As an exhibition booth designer, if this is a priority for your client, be sure to allocate a prominent and spacious area to ensure it stands out to passing crowds.
5. Optimise Signage and Lighting
Signage and lighting are perhaps two of the most overlooked elements that contribute to the success of any stand. When designing the booth of your client, ensure these components are highlighted in key areas to create the right ambience, therefore attracting visitors and helping them easily navigate the exhibition space.
Smart Visual Element Tips:
- Striking and Prominent: Signage, whether rigged or overarching, should be one of the standout features of the booth, catching the eye with its bold and noticeable presence. Similarly, lighting should be used to direct attention precisely where you want it, guiding visitors effectively through the space. Working with graphic designers and lighting technicians will help you utilise these elements in ways that best support your concept.
- Brand-Aligned: Both of these elements, when strategically utilised to match the brand’s vibe and messaging, will signify a strong business identity and presence for your clients.
6. Add Cosy Seating Areas
Similar to the interactive features, the inclusion of seating areas is also influenced by the client’s choices. But as a custom exhibition stand designer, if you have the discretion to add one, do so. Trade shows highlighting businesses from various fields can be exhausting, and after walking around for hours, attendees would want a place to rest while still making productive use of their time. Seeing cosy seating areas within your client’s stand is an invitation for them to chill and at the same time explore the brand offerings without overexerting themselves.
Lounge Space Tips:
- Comfort Is Key: Ensure the lounging areas are comfy for visitors amid the bustling trade show centre. Use cushioned benches, ottomans, or bar stools, depending on your concept.
- Strategic Placement: Set them near the areas of your stand where the client’s main offerings are visible. This will help guests get to know more about the brand effortlessly, keeping them engaged as they relax.
How Exhibit Designers Work to Maximise Trade Show Impact
As the unsung heroes of trade shows, exhibit designers play a crucial role in transforming spaces into captivating environments. Their creative visions and strategic choices are powerful tools for a client’s expo success, delivering a thoughtful design that paves the way for unforgettable brand experiences.
Looking for an exhibition stall designer who understands the art of making your booth stand out in a crowded space? Partner with us! We are an exhibition stand design company creating impactful stands that engage the crowd and capture brand essence.