Image building can be done quickly and efficiently from design drawings by a dedicated team of three or four people per image. These can be: banners, costumes, puppet booths, musical instruments, 3D images, flags, props, sets, floats, giant puppets, characters, music, tents, sheltered areas or storytelling. Always consider what the overall image is that you as a group are trying to create.

We have found that a team of dedicated designers can give the group's ideas their first concrete expression through their drawings and their research. Drawings help clarify the direction that the group is working in at the outset. Once an image is drawn it can be discussed and developed.

Through a series of initial workshops in which games were played to physicalise people's concepts of the race weekend. During these lists of ideas have been made which included scraps of poetry, snatches of songs, sketches and beginnings of stories that came from the group. This meant that the group was highly likely to feel ownership of the ideas and could work confidently on developing them into concrete events.

Principle use the initial workshops to create the feeling of community effort you want the final event to have.
Principle keep the images grounded in the event you are helping to celebrate.
Principle accept all ideas at the outset, and keep adding to them. The most unpromising idea can turn out to be a gem.

S A F E T Y
The practical work involved in devising celebrations requires the occupational health and safety practices associated with the visual and performing arts. Always put safety first.