ABSTRACT

Events are becoming more complex as their range of functions grows, as meeting places, creative spaces, economic catalysts, social drivers, community builders, image makers, business forums and network nodes. Effective design can produce more successful business models that can help to sustain cultural and sporting activities even in difficult economic times. This process requires creative imagination, and a design methodology or in other words ‘imagineering’. 

This book brings together a wide range of international experts in the fields of events, design and imagineering to examine the event design process. It explores the entire event experience from conception and production to consumption and co-creation.  By doing so it offers insight into effective strategies for coping with the shift in value creation away from transactional economic value towards social and relational value which benefit a range of stakeholders from the community to policy makers. Mega-events, small community events, business events and festivals in eight different countries are examined providing an international view of social issues in event design.

A wide selection of current research perspectives is employed, integrating both theoretical and applied contributions. The multidisciplinary nature of the material means that it will appeal to a broad academic audience, such as art and design, cultural studies, tourism, events studies, sociology and hospitality.

chapter |13 pages

Introduction

Designing events, events as a design strategy

chapter |13 pages

The discourse of design as an asset for the city

From business innovation to vernacular event

chapter |14 pages

How to slay a dragon slowly

Applying slow principles to event design

chapter |17 pages

Designing events for socio-cultural impacts

The Holy Week in Puglia (Italy)

chapter |15 pages

Co-creative events

Analysis and illustrations

chapter |20 pages

The transformation of leisure experiences in music festivals

New ways to design imaginative, creative and memorable leisure experiences through technology and social networks

chapter |17 pages

Traditional gastronomy events as tourist experiences

The case of Santarém Gastronomy Festival (Portugal)

chapter |15 pages

Event design

Conclusions and future research directions