An exhibition stand, unlike a room in an interior, has to make some noise. If you consider that a typical trade fair venue is full of design objects and products all competing for attention, it comes as little surprise that each stand has to be prominent, or be lost in a sea of new products and design messages.

Exhibition design is about making an impression. At many trade fairs, exhibition stands are devised with the aim of capturing, on a small scale, the spirit of the product or company that is represented and its brand identity.

Unlike an interior space, the exhibition stand endeavours to represent a company and carve out its identity through the display. Exhibition design gives architects and designers the opportunity to branch out of the usual constraints of spatial design – and have a little fun.

The use-by-date for an exhibition stand typically expires after a few days, so environmental factors and consideration of how materials will be disposed of after the event is a major concern for designers and organisers.

To read the whole article, get issue 27 of DQ magazine, in newsagents now.

Image Caption: Forbo’s exhibition stand, designed by Exponential Design