Designing an Appealing Booth Space COOL Workshop Series

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Marjory Newman
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1 Designing an Appealing Booth Space 2017 COOL Workshop Series

2 This program is supported in part by a grant from the Lowell Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

3 Your instructor, Liz Stewart Program Coordinator for the Cultural Organization of Lowell (COOL) Owner of Lush Industrial (Jewelry) Contact: Mon-Fri 11-6

4 Overview Purpose of a booth design Considerations for outdoor versus indoor venues Setup types for 2D and 3D artists General tips and tricks

5 Booth Design Purpose Most important Display your work so it looks its best Give visitors room to view & buy Other considerations Able to be seen from afar Flexible booth arrangement Stay on brand

6 Outdoor Venues Usually a 10 x10 space Tent & weights needed (if not provided) Using a tent clearly defines your display space White canopy preferred lets in more light 40lbs of weight per leg minimum! Plan for uneven ground or obstructions

7 Outdoor Venues Bring all needed display pieces, tables, chairs, etc. Plan to keep everything in your tent stick to your footprint Use tent walls to create visual barriers & lessen distractions (if allowed)

8 Indoor Venues Space sizes vary pay attention! Bring tables, chairs, display items Sometimes tables/chairs are provided, or can be rented for an additional fee from the venue Make sure everything fits in your allotted footprint, and looks neat and inviting Be sure you can get out if necessary

9 Setup for 2D artists Walls for hanging work Mesh tent walls Freestanding fabric covered panels Freestanding angled displays Print stand or box for prints Tables/displays for smaller works and other objects (cards, coasters, etc.)

Mesh Walls Pro Panels Use S-hooks to hang works Lightweight, can fold up for transport Requires tent frame to use Expensive panels are around $200 each, new (need 3) Use Pro

10 Mesh Walls Pro Panels Use S-hooks to hang works Lightweight, can fold up for transport Requires tent frame to use Expensive panels are around $200 each, new (need 3) Use Pro Panel hanging system, drapery hooks, velcro hooks, etc. to hang works Can be used without tent frame Bulkier for transport Expensive $135 per panel for standard widths (need 6-9)

11 Gridwall Plywood panels Less expensive option $20-$25 per 2 panel Not as pretty to look at (can be covered with fabric sleeves) Works well for art of similar size Very inexpensive option just plywood and paint

12 Setup for 2D artists Hang a large, eye-catching piece on the rear wall of your booth

13 Big, bold works will catch the eye of people walking by. More eyes = more potential customers.

14 Setup for 2D artists Don t forget a place to store your packing materials and other items out of sight, but within easy reach once you ve made a sale.

15 Creating storage areas in your booth display is important. They can be behind, or in the center, or under a table.

16 Setup for 3D artists If using tables as main display area Raise them up! Use other displays pieces on tables for height to get your work up and at eye level Tablecloths that go to the floor If using walls or other display pieces Make sure space allows for customer flow Be sure walls/shelves are anchored well

17 General tips Practice your booth setup ahead of time, so you are ready on the day of Having a setup plan allows you to be sure you ve packed all you need Setup will go faster if you know what needs to happen when A faster setup gives you more time to handle any unexpected roadblocks that come up

18 General tips Use branding to identify yourself Banner for the front of your table and/or the back of your booth. Print eye-catching images and hang them at the rear of your booth to draw visitors from afar Business cards, postcards, brochures, etc. to give to visitors (Optional) Coordinate the colors in your marketing materials with the colors of your tablecloths, etc.

19 Excellent branding that doesn t take away from the work

20 Clear branding that carries through to the booth design.

21 General tips Use lighting if necessary (some venues provide access to electricity) More likely needed at indoor venues Electricity usually incurs an extra cost from the venue Prepare to bring your own extension cord(s) You can create our own source of electricity using a deep marine battery and intervers

22 Examples of good use of lighting.

23 General tips Keep backgrounds neutral, or brand specific The focus is on your art, not your decorative materials Use background colors that make your artwork pop Think about how easy/hard it will be to keep them clean

24 Grey backgrounds work well to allow for a variety of colors to pop, and won t get dirty like a light colored background. Taupe/brown works well with these nature photographs

25 General tips For some types of work, buyers will want to touch. Let them! Allow visitors easy entrance and exit to booth area don t make them feel they will be trapped by entering

26 Artist Presentation Tips Smile! People like to be welcomed. Dress like you belong there. Stand or use a tall chair, so you can look people in the eye. Keep your nose out of a book or your cell phone. Be available to chat about your work and sell it! It s why you are there.

27 Examples of Good Displays Great use of space, lighting. Horseshoe crowd flow. A wooden floor raises up the level in this booth

28 Examples of Good Displays EXCELLENT use of branding at rear of booth Great lighting

29 Examples of Good Displays Clean display with nice minigroupings that add interest. Great signage. A black background allows the colorful fiber art to really pop in this display.

30 Examples of Good Displays Great stationery display Amazing background color choices for this wood display. Pieces have room to breathe (not overcrowded)

31 Examples of Good Displays

32 Examples of Poor Displays Overall poor painting display Overall OK, it s just too much and tight for the viewer to enter/exit.

33 Examples of Poor Displays SO. MUCH. STUFF. Too chaotic. Handwritten signs printed is more professional Too much background noise

34 Panel Discussion and Q&A: Art Show Prep: Handling the Unexpected Saturday July 8 1-3pm Boott Event Center, John Street

35 Resource Sheet: NOTE: Always check Craigslist or local Facebook groups to see if other artists are selling their tents, walls, displays, etc. You can pick up some used pieces inexpensively that way! 10 x10 tents and accessories (tent walls, tent bags, etc.) EZ-Up Canopies & Accessories - Caravan Canopies & Accessories - Deals can be had online at Amazon, and at BJ s or Costco. Booth walls for displaying 2D art Flourish Mesh and SoftWalls (use with tents) - ProPanels (freestanding) - Gridwalls: Tables Lifetime Tables: - recommend adjustable height tables! Battery lighting info - Local places to purchase display fixtures, etc. New Joslin Displays, Wilmington, MA - Used - Destefano Store Fixtures Inc, 300 N Canal St, Lawrence, MA (no website)

Displays & Banner Stands

Display Solutions Displays & Banner Stands Item: OH-003 Pull Up Banner Stand 33 x 78 47 x 78 The 33" Retractable Roll Up Banner Stand made from anodized aluminum sets up in minutes and portable. A telescopic