A large curved LED screen with blue and white circles is in the background. A woman is standing on a square stage with 3 microphones on stands. She is speaking with two event producers who are standing on the ground. In the foreground, is a serious of monitors and computers for the individuals who are producing the show.

We Are Design Thinkers: A Creative Approach for Memorable Experiences

Curiosity, community and transparency are in the centre of the Venn diagram that represents our values at Bespoke Audio Visual. These fundamental core values show up in everything we do; our behaviour, our designs, our questioning strategy, and our participation in the industry. Coupled with that, is a driving mantra to challenge the expected and bring new ideas to everything we do; therefore, Design Thinking is a natural component to our process. It is collaborative, iterative and grows with trust. The industry is ever-evolving, and Design Thinking has proven to be remarkably effective in navigating these changes. This user-centered methodology, often associated with product and service design, has been gaining traction in live event production, offering a fresh perspective on creating memorable experiences. 

Bespoke Audio Visual's values shown in three graphic circles - people, process, technology

What is Design Thinking?

Design Thinking is a problem-solving approach rooted in empathy, ideation, and experimentation. It involves understanding the needs of those you're designing for, brainstorming innovative solutions, prototyping, and testing. This approach is iterative, meaning it encourages continuous improvements based on feedback.

Key Stages of Design Thinking:

  • Empathize: Understanding the audience's needs and motivations
  • Define: Identifying the core problems to be solved
  • Ideate: Generating creative solutions
  • Prototype: Creating quick and rough versions of ideas
  • Test: Trying out solutions and refining them based on feedback

Application in Live Event Production

Empathy: Understanding the Audience

In live event production, empathy means delving deep into the audience's expectations and experiences. This could involve surveys, interviews, or participatory design sessions with potential attendees. The goal is to grasp not just the basic needs but also the emotional desires of the audience.

Defining the Event's Purpose

Once the audience's needs are understood, the next step is defining what success looks like for the event. This includes setting clear objectives, whether it's educating, entertaining, inspiring, or a combination of these.

Ideation: Brainstorming Creative Concepts

Here's where the fun begins. Event planners, designers, and stakeholders come together to brainstorm ideas. No idea is too far-fetched at this stage, encouraging out-of-the-box thinking that can lead to truly innovative event concepts.

Prototyping: Visualizing the Event

Prototyping in event production might involve creating 3D models of the venue layout, designing virtual simulations with renderings and images or building a full-scale or miniature-scale prototype. This stage helps in visualizing the event and identifying potential challenges.

Testing and Refinement

Finally, elements of the event are tested. This could be through small-scale mock events, technology rehearsals, or walkthroughs with clients. Feedback is crucial at this stage to refine the event for maximum impact.

Design Thinking in live event production isn't just about putting on a show; it's about crafting an experience that resonates on a deeper level with the audience. By embracing this approach, event producers can create more impactful, memorable, and successful events. The future of live event production is bright, and Design Thinking is lighting the way.

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