Twelve things to get right in exhibition stand design

8 types

stand types we produce

Stand types

1–10 days

on-site build time by construction type

Stand types

Before the drawing: plot and rules

1. Plot size and open sides. The same 18 square metres is seen from one side on a row plot and from two on a corner plot; the design starts from that difference. We ask for the position on the hall plan (near the entrance, on the main aisle, in a corner) on day one.

2. The organiser’s regulations. Height limit, closed walls facing neighbours, rigging permission, floor load and fire certificates differ in every hall. The manual is read before design starts; a rule read after production has begun costs money.

3. Visitor flow. From which end of the aisle will visitors reach the stand? The main entrance and the position of the large exhibitors set the flow; the open side and the main message of the stand turn that way. We collected the rules that change by venue on our exhibition stand services page.

4. Construction type and build window. How many build days does the organiser give? Custom timber does not fit a two-day window; then a system stand or pre-assembly in the workshop to cut the number of parts is needed.

In the drawing: product, message, light

5. Product at eye level and within reach. The product is the centre of the stand; not on the floor or on top of a shelf, but between 90 and 150 centimetres. A product that must not be touched goes into a locked showcase, still at eye level.

6. One message. A visitor walking the aisle looks at the stand for three seconds. Company name, what it does and a single promise; the rest stays in the catalogue. The reading distance from the aisle sets the type size on the graphic.

7. Lighting. Hall lighting is general and cold; the product needs its own light. A spot on every product point, evenly spread light on the graphic surface, a warm tone in the meeting area. How we calculate stand lighting is on our design page.

8. Meeting area set back from the aisle. Visitors do not talk in the middle of the aisle; the meeting table sits in the back third of the stand without blocking the line of sight to the product. How many seats it needs is fixed in the brief.

Decisions that travel to site

9. Hidden compartment. Catalogue boxes, bags, coats and samples must stay out of sight. We draw a closed compartment into every stand; when it is forgotten the boxes end up visible under the meeting table.

10. Power and cable routing. Where does the organiser’s power point fall on the stand? Cables run under a raised floor or inside a wall; a cable over the carpet is both visible and dangerous. The load of screens, fridges and coffee machines is declared in advance.

11. Freight size. Every part has to fit the vehicle and the hall door. For jobs abroad the part size is set by the container; a single wall over two metres turns back at the hall door.

12. The team that will run the stand. The design also allows for how many people will work on the stand: four meeting tables are not drawn for a team of two. We discuss the team’s brief and the division of roles on the stand at the first meeting, in the way described on our about page.

What is the most common design mistake?

Drawing before reading the manual. A stand that exceeds the height limit or leaves an open side towards a neighbour gets altered in the hall; the alteration costs both time and money.

Does a small stand need all twelve?

Yes; the scale shrinks but the decisions stay the same. On 9 square metres the product still sits at eye level, there is one message, no visible cable and a closed compartment.

If we design it, will you build it?

Yes. We check your drawing against the manual and production dimensions, propose adjustments where needed and produce with your approval.