How to TEDx: Design a stage

How to TEDx is a brand new series of videos produced entirely by the TEDx community. Each video breaks down one aspect of organizing a TEDx event and offers best practices for getting started. Search for How to TEDx or go to tedxtalks.ted.com/to see them all!

[How to design a great
TEDx stage]

What does stage decoration mean?

Decoration is a major enrichment
of your stage.

You might start with your event name
and some lights.

Decoration is a way
to communicate your event.

You need to know who you are
communicating to, who your audience is.

The design of your stage
follows two pillars.

One is identity.
The other one is the balance.

The identity is how you translate
the theme into a visual stage design.

So, why not add further elements
to the stage?

If your theme is about nature,
put in some plants.

Or it can also be abstract.

For instance, you could
throw ornaments or illustrations.

Go creative!

The other important thing is
to keep the balance.

The stage should not
take over the show.

It should support the event,
not make the event.

All elements must
have a purpose.

The speaker must be
the hero on stage.

It might not be necessary
to spend big budget here,

but still, it is important
to calculate this on your event plans.

Be aware
of safety issues.

Nothing should fall down or even hit
the speaker or someone in the audience

There might be some people
walking by, and touching things.

They should not be fragile.

Maybe, there is someone in your
volunteer team who can design the stage.

Maybe, you need to hire
a designer for that.

Or just do it
on your own.

Find the inspiration at the huge pool
of TEDx events with great stages.

Why not browse through
the Flickr archive.

For more information
and "How To" videos,

we encourage you to visit
the TEDx homepage at TED.com.