That's Interesting — November '24
Let’s create live experiences for people not delegates
The best tool for designing events is empathy.
That's according to Abraham Burickson, who in his new book on experience design argues that it's personal connections that make experiences memorable.
This sentiment was widely shared at our recent breakfast on Transforming the Conference Experience. The conversation zoned in on the need to reimagine business events to respond to fast changing audiences, to walk in their shoes, to design for people not delegates.
Here's some stimulus that just might help.
Dog Licks Camera
(3min read)A staggering visual spectacle at the Vegas Sphere, created for a band that no one in the office has heard of! There's a charming backstory about the filming that makes this giant show very human.
Why's this interesting?
- We should constantly remind ourselves of the quality of content and visual spectacle that people are being exposed to
- Even a screen as incredible as the Sphere is nothing without great creative thinking
- It shows the value of knowing what your hero moment will be - dog licks camera
The Joy of Joysticks
(1min explore)Nostalgia meets innovation in this simple retro engagement idea from Mind Spirit Design.
Why's this interesting?
- The joystick is a familiar and fun way to invite people to interact
- The angled screens make it feel nicely communal
- Would be an ideal set-up for people to explore data-led stories
Your Event Needs Tension
(30min watch)Seth Godin is a provocateur. Here he turns his attention to the events and what it takes to create experiences that actually change things. It’s a motivating watch.
Why's this interesting?
- He brilliantly describes how the purpose of events has changed
- He argues that your event should last 365 days and that you come together for 3 of those
- Includes some wonderfully simple experience design ideas
Curator's Corner
(4min read)When it comes to shifting audience needs, museum's possibly face event greater challenges than business events, so it's interesting to see how they go about things. Here are ten tips from Made Design Studios.
Why's this interesting?
- The imperative to know your audience's why - what brings them to the exhibition?
- The need to keep the narrative simple to help people easily make connections
- The focus on balancing information and emotion
SketchBot - This Year's Must Have Activation
(3min explore)In 18months Sketchbots might be old hat, but right now SketchBot are bang on trend!
Why's this interesting?
- It's a disarming way to get people engaging with AI
- It'll break down barriers and get people talking to each other
- It draws a portrait in under a minute, so lots of people can engage
