[Part 3] Are you sitting comfortably?
29 May 2008
Tracey Doran is managing director of Doran Design, a design consultancy specialising in exhibition stand design. In the third of a six part series, Tracey reflects on the key benefits of utilising exhibition furniture.
Sometime last year I received a phone call from a researcher asking for my view on exhibition furniture. I was asked what influences my decision. Was it current trends, colour or cost? I thought for a moment and said neither!
So that got me thinking. Should I reel off all the items that need to be considered when specifying furniture? You need to go back to basics before considering any of those points. First of all, will it do what it’s needed for? From an exhibition stand designer’s point of view, you can’t make that decision yourself. You need to know how the client wants to work the stand.
How long do they need to talk to a visitor? Do the seating arrangements need to be in an open space or in a private area? Do the staff need somewhere to sit or would you rather they where standing? Remember that the entirety of a show would be a long time for anyone to stand. You could always send them away to the events, visitor seating or rest area – with a hand full of literature of course!
I have actually made good-looking seats feel uncomfortable [a few nuts and seeds usually do the trick] so that the visitor doesn’t stay for too long, thus encouraging a healthy flow of interest to the stand. However, if the client has a high value product or service or you are handling a PR launch then a longer stay may be crucial, therefore you would need to go for the comfy chairs and start pouring the drinks.
Then there’s the question of high tables and stools and low tables and chairs. You can have a number of visitors to a high table, and still have a conversation with someone standing. Other times you would only consider low seating; public shows with families and older visitors etc. I regularly design a stand at the ‘Mobility Road Show’ where a lot of visitors use a wheelchair. It wouldn’t be very PC to have stools!
Talking of wheelchairs, you need to consider the entire DDA requirement together with health and safety. For a start, all reception desks now need a lower section! I know it’s not furniture, but all stands with a platform or raised floors should have a ramp, although this could also be a ‘trip’ hazard for the able bodied visitors. Also, the size and position on the stand needs to be considered. Ideally you want to arrange the seating so the visitor is looking into the stand and not distracted.
As I have tried to show, there is so much to consider long before you start thinking of what’s trendy, whether the fabric will clash with or match the client logo colour – and you only allowed ‘how much’ for furniture? I think the only way to avoid all these decisions is to find a furniture manufacturer or supplier who needs a stand.
Anyway, I must make a comment about trends. I was amazed at the amount of events using ‘Bean Bags’ last year. I had to source them myself on a couple of occasions. The bags are fine; it’s the spilt drinks and needing a hand to stand up that’s the problem. Keep them for the festival chill-out areas!
And finally, this editorial has just touched on furniture! Every other item on a stand needs the same level of consideration. It’s never a case of ‘that will look nice’, which is why you should be using a design consultancy.
Other Press Releases By This Company
- 23/07/2014 - Latest news from Doran Design
- 29/05/2008 - [Part 6] Back to basics
- 29/05/2008 - [Part 5] Shake it all about!
- 29/05/2008 - [Part 4] Exhibiting - the boring bits!
- 29/05/2008 - [Part 2] What’s in a name?
- 29/05/2008 - [Part 1] It stared with a Wang!
