Exhibition stands have evolved from static displays into dynamic, interactive experiences. To capture attention and foster engagement, exhibition design must prioritize clear storytelling, immersive interaction, and visual simplicity. Open layouts, well-placed lighting, and minimal décor help highlight key exhibits effectively.
Integrating local art, accessible features, and adaptive design elements ensures inclusivity and cultural relevance. Today’s exhibition design emphasizes sensory interaction, emotional resonance, and sustainability, essential across various disciplines like art, science, and fashion. Here is how these evolving approaches transform exhibitions into immersive environments that connect deeply with diverse audiences.
1. Designing for Digital Interaction
Immersive technologies elevate exhibition stands into dynamic, interactive spaces. Virtual reality (VR) immerses visitors in brand narratives or product demos, while augmented reality (AR) overlays digital content onto physical displays. This blend creates a layered and engaging experiences that blend the real with the virtual.
Touchscreens and motion sensors invite self-guided exploration, encouraging visitors to actively engage with your offerings. These tools transform passive viewing into meaningful interaction, increasing dwell time and creating memorable moments. By integrating immersive tech, exhibition spaces become more than showcases, they become interactive experiences that spark curiosity, foster deeper brand connections, and leave a lasting impression on every visitor.
The EARTH to SPACE Festival at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., showcases visionary works that blend art, science, and space exploration. Foster + Partners presents their “From Earth to Space and Back” exhibition featuring 3D-printed lunar habitats, scale models, and films exploring Mars construction. Meanwhile, artist Cai Guo-Qiang offers interactive installations, including the AI-powered “Interspecies Love Letter” gunpowder painting that evokes fireworks and invites visitor participation.
As part of the Kennedy Center’s decade-long initiative inspired by President Kennedy’s moon landing legacy, EARTH to SPACE celebrates the fusion of creativity and technology, encouraging visitors to explore new perspectives on Earth, space, and our future beyond.
2. Sustainability Strategies
Sustainability is more than a trend as it reflects a brand’s commitment to responsible innovation. Choosing reclaimed wood, biodegradable fabrics, or recycled metals for your exhibition stand instantly communicates eco-conscious values. Energy-efficient lighting, such as LEDs not only reduces power consumption but also enhances visual appeal without compromising environmental goals.
Replacing printed brochures with dynamic digital displays cuts down on paper waste while keeping content easily updatable and engaging. Incorporating green materials and modular structures ensures the stand is reusable, reducing the carbon footprint across events. A thoughtful, sustainable design doesn’t just minimize environmental impact as it positions your brand as forward-thinking and ethically driven.
At many festivals and exhibitions, temporary stalls are often discarded after use, creating significant waste. Plexus, designed by Studio Symbiosis, addresses this issue by offering a sustainable, adaptable solution that maintains the vibrancy and flexibility required for diverse event settings. Its design enables vendors to reduce waste without compromising on creativity or functionality.
Plexus consists of two key components, namely nodes and connectors, that can be combined to create over a thousand different stall configurations in various shapes and sizes. Inspired by natural forms such as the Venus flytrap, the modular system operates on cellular automata principles, allowing easy assembly, disassembly, and flat-packing for transport. This reusable, versatile structure adapts to varying vendor needs and event themes, providing an environmentally responsible alternative that also reduces costs. By enabling vendors to refresh their displays sustainably, Plexus promotes a new standard for waste reduction in the event industry.
The London Design Festival 2025 featured Arup as a key partner, presenting the ‘Regenerative Futures’ exhibition through its Foresight team, showcasing innovative concepts that merge human and planetary needs. The exhibit featured props and prototypes from designers focused on regenerative solutions, ranging from Studio MOM’s mycelium-based helmets to Blast Studio’s Coral Lamp, made from recycled coffee cups. Green&Blue’s BeeBrick provided safe nesting for solitary bees to support biodiversity.
The showcase also highlighted futuristic technologies like Arup’s ‘Mirrorworlds’ AR glasses, enabling real-time interaction with nature during fieldwork. EOOS NEXT introduced a zero-emission utility vehicle made from 3D-printed plastic waste, helping reduce personal carbon emissions by 60–70%. Another standout was Arup’s autonomous Dragonfly drone, which collects ecological data and monitors biohazards. Together, these projects envision a future where humans and nature coexist harmoniously.
3. Multisensory Experiences
A multi-sensory approach transforms exhibition stands into memorable experiences. Visually, bold colors and dynamic elements like LED walls or holograms capture attention and create excitement. Adding subtle audio features, such as ambient music or sound clips from product demonstrations, further draws visitors in. Tactile components invite hands-on exploration, allowing guests to engage directly with products or materials.
To deepen brand connection, consider introducing a signature scent like fresh coffee or essential oils. This sensory layering goes beyond just visuals, stimulating multiple senses to heighten immersion and leave a lasting impression. Engaging sight, sound, touch, and smell creates a richer, more dynamic environment that captivates audiences and strengthens the overall impact of the exhibition stand.
At Expo 2025 Osaka, null² by NOIZ and media artist Yoichi Ochiai redefines architecture through a multisensory experience that blends physical and digital realms. The pavilion’s voxel-like modular design features mirrored membranes that shimmer and move with the wind, creating a dynamic environment. Inside, visitors encounter an interactive exhibition centered on digital twins—avatars that respond to their presence, turning each visit into a unique co-creation. Robotic arms and embedded sound systems engage with the reflective surfaces, producing an immersive sensory atmosphere that feels both tangible and intelligent.
Beyond its physical form, null² invites remote users to participate via robotic avatars and augmented reality overlays, expanding the experience digitally. This fusion of movement, sound, and interaction transforms the pavilion into a living interface, where architecture communicates with its users.
4. Modular Flexibility
Modular designs provide a flexible and cost-effective solution for exhibition stands. Using scalable components, these stands can be easily reconfigured to fit various spaces, making them perfect for multiple events and locations. The use of lightweight materials makes transportation and setup more efficient, saving time and resources. This adaptability gives organizers the freedom to focus more on engaging visitors rather than logistical challenges.
Incorporating modular walls, movable partitions, and adjustable lighting systems further enhances flexibility. This setup allows for swift changes to accommodate rotating exhibits or different curatorial concepts, ensuring the space remains fresh and relevant.
The ability to easily modify the stand to suit evolving needs not only maximizes its lifespan but also supports diverse storytelling approaches, making modular design an increasingly popular choice in exhibition environments.
MVRDV’s Portlantis is a modular, energy-positive building composed of five stacked, twisting boxes totaling 3,533 square meters. Each box hosts a unique exhibition space connected by a bright red external staircase and an elevator. At the core is a spacious atrium, with a restaurant seating 150 guests on the top level. Panoramic windows and an accessible rooftop provide stunning views of Rotterdam’s port, enhancing the visitor experience.
Designed for sustainability, Portlantis embraces modular construction to allow easy dismantling and recycling at the end of its life. Its facade panels will be returned to the manufacturer for reuse, while recyclable materials and a no-impact foundation minimize environmental damage. The building generates 30% more energy than it uses through wind turbines and superior insulation. Portlantis acts as a dynamic “watchtower,” offering insight into the port’s relationship with the city and showcasing innovative, sustainable architectural practices through its adaptable modular design.
5. Power of Storytelling
Crafting a compelling story is key to bringing your brand to life at exhibitions. Use a sequence of thoughtfully designed displays to showcase your journey, core values, and innovations. Encourage visitor interaction through engaging elements like photo booths, live demonstrations, or gamified digital experiences. Complement these with videos and presentations that align closely with your brand identity, creating a clear and engaging message tailored to your audience.
Beyond visuals, design the space to tell a narrative that captivates and guides visitors. Utilize strategic lighting, immersive soundscapes, and purposeful spatial layouts to lead attendees through a curated experience. This approach not only makes the exhibition memorable but also evokes an emotional connection, deepening the impact of your brand story and fostering lasting engagement with visitors.
At Art Basel Paris, Louis Vuitton celebrated architect Frank Gehry with a stunning display inside the Grand Palais. Highlights included Gehry’s monumental white fish lamp, framed by a geometric wooden arch, alongside his handbag collection inspired by his signature flowing lines and sculptural forms. Gehry’s long-standing collaboration with Louis Vuitton spans over 20 years, including the Maison Louis Vuitton Seoul’s iconic glass façade and the debut of his handbag range at Art Basel Miami.
The exhibition also featured Gehry-inspired bags like the Capucines Mini Blossom and Mini Puzzle, drawing from his famous works such as the Guggenheim Bilbao and Walt Disney Concert Hall. Visitors could also see Gehry’s “Twisted Box” trunk, a creative twist on Louis Vuitton’s classic Monogram canvas trunk, unveiled for the brand’s 160th anniversary. This showcase highlighted the seamless blend of Gehry’s architectural genius with Louis Vuitton’s luxury craftsmanship.
An effective exhibition stand goes beyond visuals to create a memorable experience. By blending these innovative design elements, it can capture attention and connect deeply with visitors, making every event presence impactful and unforgettable.
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