Pecha Kucha
Encyclopedia
Pecha Kucha is a presentation methodology in which 20 slides are shown for 20 seconds each, usually seen in a multiple-speaker event called a Pecha Kucha Night (PKN).
Pecha Kucha Night was devised in February 2003 by Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham of Tokyo
's Klein-Dytham Architecture (KDa), as a way to attract people to Super Deluxe, their experimental event space in Roppongi
. Pecha Kucha Night events consist of around a dozen presentations, each presenter having 20 slides, each shown for 20 seconds on a timer. Thus, each presenter has just 6 minutes and 40 seconds to explain their ideas before the next takes the stage. Conceived as a venue through which young designers could meet, show their work, exchange ideas, and network, the format keeps presentations concise and fast-paced.
, architecture
, photography
, art
and creative
fields, but also often includes those from academia.
Organizers in some cities have added their own variations to the format. In Groningen, in the Netherlands
, two slots are given to a live band, and the final 20 seconds of each presentation consists of an immediate critique of the presentation by the host’s sidekicks. Video art
has also been presented at some events.
Well-known presenters at Pecha Kucha Nights have included the architects Jun Aoki, Toyo Ito
, Rem Koolhaas
, designers such as Tom Dixon
, Ron Arad
, Thomas Heatherwick
, but also comedians such as Johnny Vegas
, actress Joanna Lumley
and ITN newscaster Jon Snow
. However, the power of Pecha Kucha is that the success of each presentation relies purely on the presenter’s personality and the strength of her or his ideas; the format places young designers and students on the same footing as the global stars mentioned above.
As of August 2010, over 170 talks are available for online viewing at Pecha Kucha Presentations.
Presenters must grant Pecha Kucha Night certain non-exclusive rights and license to reproduce their appearance.
Pecha Kucha Night was devised in February 2003 by Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham of Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
's Klein-Dytham Architecture (KDa), as a way to attract people to Super Deluxe, their experimental event space in Roppongi
Roppongi
is a district of Minato, Tokyo, Japan, famous as home to the rich Roppongi Hills area and an active night club scene. Many foreign embassies are located in Roppongi, and the night life is popular with locals and foreigners alike...
. Pecha Kucha Night events consist of around a dozen presentations, each presenter having 20 slides, each shown for 20 seconds on a timer. Thus, each presenter has just 6 minutes and 40 seconds to explain their ideas before the next takes the stage. Conceived as a venue through which young designers could meet, show their work, exchange ideas, and network, the format keeps presentations concise and fast-paced.
Locations
In 2004 PKN began in a few cities in Europe, and has since become a worldwide phenomenon. As of August 2010, Pecha Kucha Nights were held in over 410 cities worldwide. Event flyers are posted on the global Pecha Kucha Daily blog.Format
A typical Pecha Kucha Night includes eight to fourteen presentations. The presenters (and much of the audience) are usually from the designDesign
Design as a noun informally refers to a plan or convention for the construction of an object or a system while “to design” refers to making this plan...
, architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
, photography
Photography
Photography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
, art
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
and creative
Creativity
Creativity refers to the phenomenon whereby a person creates something new that has some kind of value. What counts as "new" may be in reference to the individual creator, or to the society or domain within which the novelty occurs...
fields, but also often includes those from academia.
Organizers in some cities have added their own variations to the format. In Groningen, in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, two slots are given to a live band, and the final 20 seconds of each presentation consists of an immediate critique of the presentation by the host’s sidekicks. Video art
Video art
Video art is a type of art which relies on moving pictures and comprises video and/or audio data. . Video art came into existence during the 1960s and 1970s, is still widely practiced and has given rise to the widespread use of video installations...
has also been presented at some events.
20×20 Talks
One of the attractions of Pecha Kucha Nights is the wide range of the 20×20 talks. Most consist of design professionals showing their creative work, but presenters often speak about such topics as their travels, research projects, student projects, hobbies, collections, or other interests.Well-known presenters at Pecha Kucha Nights have included the architects Jun Aoki, Toyo Ito
Toyo Ito
is a Japanese architect known for creating conceptual architecture, in which he seeks to simultaneously express the physical and virtual worlds. He is a leading exponent of architecture that addresses the contemporary notion of a "simulated" city, and has been called "one of the world's most...
, Rem Koolhaas
Rem Koolhaas
Remment Lucas Koolhaas is a Dutch architect, architectural theorist, urbanist and "Professor in Practice of Architecture and Urban Design" at the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University, USA. Koolhaas studied at the Netherlands Film and Television Academy in Amsterdam, at the Architectural...
, designers such as Tom Dixon
Tom Dixon (industrial designer)
Tom Dixon, OBE is a self-taught Tunisian designer specialised in welded salvage furniture. He moved to Great Britain at the age of 4. Dixon has been head of design for the Habitat chain of furniture stores , and of the Finnish furniture manufacturer Artek...
, Ron Arad
Ron Arad (industrial designer)
Ron Arad is an Israeli industrial designer, artist, and architect.-Biography:Arad attended the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem between 1971–73 and the Architectural Association in London from 1974–79...
, Thomas Heatherwick
Thomas Heatherwick
Thomas Heatherwick is an English designer known for innovative use of engineering and materials in public monuments and sculptures...
, but also comedians such as Johnny Vegas
Johnny Vegas
Johnny Vegas is an English actor and comedian. He is known for his angry rants, portly figure, high husky voice and support of St Helens rugby league club. More recently he has moved into dramatic acting.-Early life:He was born in St Helens, Lancashire, the youngest of four children of Laurence...
, actress Joanna Lumley
Joanna Lumley
Joanna Lamond Lumley, OBE, FRGS is a British actress, voice-over artist, former-model and author, best known for her roles in British television series Absolutely Fabulous portraying Edina Monsoon's best friend, Patsy Stone, as well as parts in The New Avengers, Sapphire & Steel, and Sensitive...
and ITN newscaster Jon Snow
Jon Snow
Jon Snow is an English journalist and presenter, currently employed by ITN. He is best known for presenting Channel 4 News.He was Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University from 2001 to 2008.-Early life:...
. However, the power of Pecha Kucha is that the success of each presentation relies purely on the presenter’s personality and the strength of her or his ideas; the format places young designers and students on the same footing as the global stars mentioned above.
As of August 2010, over 170 talks are available for online viewing at Pecha Kucha Presentations.
Presenters must grant Pecha Kucha Night certain non-exclusive rights and license to reproduce their appearance.
See also
- Lightning TalkLightning TalkA Lightning Talk is a short presentation given at a conference or similar forum. Unlike other presentations, lightning talks last only a few minutes and several will usually be delivered in a single period by different speakers.-History and format:...
- A similar presentation format. - IgniteIgnite (event)Ignite is a global event, organized by volunteers, where participants are given five minutes to speak about their ideas and personal or professional passions, accompanied by 20 slides. Each slide is displayed for 15 seconds, and slides are automatically advanced. The Ignite format is similar to...
- A similar presentation format. - Speed geekingSpeed geekingSpeed geeking is a participation process used to quickly view a number of presentations within a fixed period of time. Speed geeking gets its name from speed dating, since they both employ similar techniques.- Method :...
- 5-min presentations are simultaneous, rather than sequential. Participants rotate through presentations in one room/chat space. - Death by PowerPoint