Fundamentals of Event Design

The Fundamentals of Event Design provides a clear and accessible introduction to designing engaging, immersive and memorable event experiences. Moving beyond a traditional management-led approach, the book presents events as experience platforms shaped by emotion, interaction, storytelling and audience participation.

Organised around the key stages of the event design process, the book explores how event experiences are planned, shaped and delivered in practice. It introduces essential ideas such as design thinking, imagineering, atmospherics, sensory design, storytelling, interactivity and co-creation, alongside the practical realities of project management, team leadership, creative marketing and sustainable production. Throughout the book, theory is closely linked to practice, offering step-by-step guidance on turning creative ideas into workable and impactful event concepts.

This fully updated Second Edition reflects the fast-changing nature of the events industry and includes:

• expanded coverage of emerging technologies such as hybrid and virtual events;
• clearer guidance on sustainability, positioning it as a core part of event design rather than an add-on;
• new discussion of the impact of COVID-19 on the events industry, exploring how the pandemic reshaped event design, accelerated digital innovation, and changed audience expectations around safety, flexibility and experience;
• new and updated case studies and industry examples.

Balancing contemporary research with real-world application, The Fundamentals of Event Design equips readers with the tools and confidence needed to design events that are engaging, meaningful and relevant in today’s experience-led economy. It is essential reading for undergraduate and postgraduate Events Management students, as well as for aspiring event designers who want to move beyond managing events to designing experiences.

Vladimir Antchak is a Senior Lecturer with expertise in event design, event tourism, event portfolio management, placemaking and destination branding. He earned a PhD in Tourism and Events from Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand and has held roles at the University of Derby, UK and is currently Discipline Lead for Hospitality and Tourism and Programme Lead for Events Management at the British University Vietnam.

Olivia Ramsbottom is a Senior Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University, UK, specialising in strategic thinking. Before lecturing, she enjoyed sixteen years of managerial experience, including extensive project and event management across a range of organisations. Holding a PhD, MSc, and formal teaching qualifications, Olivia is particularly focused on developing practical, applied teaching tools for professionals. Her work emphasises translating theory into practice, enabling learners to embed knowledge effectively and use it with confidence in real-world contexts.