Email
Print
FeedHow to create a “look”...
...instead of using a theme for your special event
You’re responsible for an annual fundraising event. You’ve reflected on the stresses and challenges from previous years. Your event needs to be creative, raise additional dollars for your programs, and gain exposure for your organization’s brand. Brand is the feeling or idea you get when you think about a product, service or company.
Companies, organizations and non-profits create and implement events for a variety of reasons. Each event is created with a specific goal and objective in mind. The event should be unique, clever and interesting to attract guests and fulfill the desired goal.
Most people will pick a theme…whether it’s the 50’s, Safari, Hawaiian, Disco, Racing, etc. Although themes can be fun and the décor is easy to come by, the themes are commonplace and may come across as uninteresting to your guests.
When creating your event, select a consistent “look” or overall visual picture. Your guests should be saying “Wow” as they enter the space. To create a “look” for your event, start with the type of event, the event goal, the time of year, the time of day and the audience. For example, you don’t want to use bright daytime colors and décor at an upscale evening event. Bright colors fit better at breakfasts or luncheons and events geared toward children.
Take a look at the brand and logo of your organization and if available, the specific event logo. Is the brand developed and updated? Will the colors in the logo coordinate with your event? If the brand and logo are not a good fit, then use the brand and logo as secondary marks for the event. Secondary marks are incorporated into the “look” by using the logos on the video screens and all printed material, but not as the main décor.
Pick a color or color palette that is “hot” and fashionable. What color does your client enjoy? Start with two primary colors and one or two accent colors. It is a good idea to pick one metallic color so that the centerpieces or other décor can be in metallic, gold, silver, bronze, etc. Is your audience young and into trendy colors? Reflect their taste. Work with a graphic designer to put the overall graphics, color and “look” together starting with the collateral, which is the invites, signage, ads, brochures, website, etc. Everything that touches the event should be consistent, clean, and in step with the “look” including décor, linens, centerpieces and video graphics.
If you feel strongly about a particular theme, then give it a new twist by using unusual colors, décor or video to create a new angle or a unique “look”.
You can create a unique atmosphere for your event by using color and design instead of using a packaged theme.
All of these suggestions can create the “look” of a well-planned, successful event.
