1. Plan in Advance
Before you even begin planning your shell scheme design, you need to have a plan in mind for what you want to achieve. Think about your objectives - these are also known as KPIs (Key Performance Indicators). These might include lead generation, product promotion, customer information, brand awareness, social media likes or follows or even market research. KPIs help you to measure the success of your stand at a particular event, giving you vital information about what worked for your business and what you might try differently next time.
When it comes to shell scheme design, having a marketing plan put together in advance helps to inform your creative choices. For example, if promoting your products is your main KPI, then you might choose to use large, high-definition product imagery on your shell scheme graphics, showing key product details in large scale to attract the attention of new customers. If generating new followers for your social media accounts is important to your business, you would want to ensure that your shell scheme graphics are printed with your social media handles to make your accounts easy to find.
2. Invest in Your Artwork
The next stage in making a shell scheme exhibition look good is to consider your artwork. Shell scheme graphics are sold typically in 1m panels in either Foamex or rollable PVC, and when installed, the panels are separated by the metal poles which form the construction of the shell scheme space. As a result of this, a seamless backdrop finish is impossible to achieve with shell scheme panels.
With that in mind, even if you wanted to use a single photograph spread over several shell scheme panels, you should consider each panel as a unique design and work through that accordingly. Consider borders and banners, bright colours and branding. Keep wording to a minimum and focus on the imagery or logos. If you are using lettering, keep the font simple and easy to read.
All of our shell scheme graphics are printed in-house at our UK manufacturing facility and subject to extensive checks to guarantee the highest quality print finish for your products.
As an alternative to the individual shell scheme panels, you could also consider Fabric Displays or Pop Up Stands. While both of these kinds of displays are freestanding displays, and would therefore take up floor space within your shell scheme walls, they can offer a seamless backdrop finish which traditional shell scheme graphics cannot. Lightweight, easy to install, transport and store, both of these exhibition stand options offer excellent alternatives - or additions - to shell scheme graphics.
Pop Up Stands and Fabric Displays are widely used for both space only and shell scheme exhibition stands because they offer high-impact displays that can be used in any space. Shell scheme panels offer limited usage as they can only be mounted onto walls or other hard surfaces.
3. Think Outside The Box
By its very nature, the construction of a shell scheme is very box-like. However, that doesn’t mean you have to constrain yourself within those parameters. If you have a corner position, instead of choosing a U-shaped shell scheme graphics kit, why not opt for an L-shaped one, leaving two sides of your scheme open to create a more open environment? You can add furniture such as counters or podiums, tables and chairs, or even add additional branding through Roller Banners or Pop Up Stands to give a friendly, welcoming feel and allow people to move through your stand more freely and easily.
Did you know that with some shell schemes you can even remove the facias and the ceiling grid to open up your shell scheme, for a less enclosed feel?