Special Event Design
On-Demand
Led by renowned event designer Lindsay Landman, this course teaches you how design tools like lighting, florals, technology, and entertainment work together to create cohesive, memorable events — and gives you the vocabulary to bring that vision to life with clients and vendors.
CE Hours
Earn 11 continuing education units
Modules
10 modules of content
Format
On-Demand
What You'll Learn
Elevate your event design expertise with this refreshed and updated course. Renowned event designer Lindsay Landman will lead you through high-level design techniques applicable to corporate, social, and nonprofit events. Using the “Designer’s Toolbox” framework, you’ll learn how each design tool—such as lighting, florals, branding, food and beverage, entertainment, and technology—works both independently and in harmony to create cohesive and impactful event designs.
This course goes beyond aesthetics, helping you build a strong event design vocabulary that will enhance communication with clients, partners, and vendors. You’ll gain the skills to assess a venue’s assets and challenges, develop a thoughtful guest experience, and execute a vision that meets client goals while staying within budget and time constraints.
Completely revamped from its original 2014 version, this course reflects the latest trends and innovations in the field, incorporating how evolving elements like entertainment, technology, and experiential design shape today’s event landscape. Whether you’re looking to refine your creative edge or simply “talk the talk” with creative vendors, this course equips you with the tools and insights to create memorable, one-of-a-kind events that leave a lasting impression.
Brought to you by the PCMA Foundation
Course Outline
What is Event Design?
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of what event design entails, including the specification of an event and the role of the designer.
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Learn how to find and manage inspiration from various sources to fuel your creativity and enhance your event designs.
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Discover effective techniques for collaborating with clients and other stakeholders to create successful and cohesive event designs.
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Understand the importance of originality in design and learn strategies to avoid the pitfalls of imitating existing designs.
The Designer’s Toolbox
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Learn about the essential tools in a designer’s toolbox, including hard goods, soft goods, live goods, and lighting.
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Discover how to use multiple design tools together harmoniously to create a cohesive and immersive event experience.
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Explore the importance of patterns and textures in event design and how they can enhance the overall aesthetic.
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Understand the role of food and beverage as design elements and how their presentation can contribute to the event’s theme.
The Science of Color
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Understand the essential principles of color theory in special event design.
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Recognize the differences between colors of light and pigment.
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Master color terminology to communicate more effectively with clients.
Floral and Non-Floral Décor
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Understand the principles of using floral and non-floral décor.
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Learn how to use a variety of materials and textures to create visually appealing designs.
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Learn how to balance cost considerations with creative design choices.
Lighting, AV and Event Technology
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Understand the importance of lighting, AV, and event technology in designing successful special events.
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Master the elements of lighting and technology to create immersive and engaging experiences for attendees.
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Coordinate effectively with planning teams to ensure seamless integration of all technical aspects.
Branding and Paper Goods
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Identify the key components of effective brand guidelines and their application in event design.
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Utilize brand elements such as logos, colors, and typography to create cohesive and impactful event materials.
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Apply principles to develop customized branding solutions that enhance the overall event experience.
Floor and Space Planning
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Learn how to effectively utilize available space to ensure a comfortable and functional event layout, even in smaller venues.
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Understand the best practices for arranging tables to maximize space and enhance guest interaction and comfort.
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Discover techniques to ensure guest comfort, including optimal spacing, seating arrangements, and temperature control.
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Explore how to use decorative elements strategically to create the illusion of more space and enhance the overall aesthetic of the event.
Event Sites and Venues
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Learn how to choose the right venue for your event, considering factors such as size, location, and overall suitability.
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Understand the importance of checking venue availability, including booking dates, load-in times, and site visit opportunities.
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Gain insights into evaluating the physical accessibility of a venue, including entry points, elevators, and ramps.
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Explore how the existing aesthetics of a venue can impact your event design and what modifications might be necessary.
Design Production
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Learn the essential steps involved in transforming a design concept into a tangible event setup, ensuring all elements are effectively executed.
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Discover how to communicate your design ideas clearly with producers and clients to ensure everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goal.
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Understand the importance of sourcing materials and managing budgets to ensure that your designs are both feasible and cost-effective.
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Explore the benefits of working closely with production partners to bring your designs to life, sharing both credit and responsibility for the final outcome.
Design Communication
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Learn how to communicate design ideas clearly and effectively to clients, ensuring their vision is accurately translated into the final event design.
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Discover techniques for identifying and understanding client preferences and inspirations to create a design that resonates with their vision.
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Understand the importance of balancing creative design with practical production considerations to ensure successful event execution.
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Master the skill of creating detailed renderings and visualizations to provide clients with a clear picture of the event design.
How This Course Works
This course is delivered entirely on-demand, so you can learn at your own pace — no set schedule required. Whether you have 20 minutes or two hours, you can move through the content when it works best for you and revisit key lessons as many times as you need.
Pre-recorded Modules
Move through the course with on-demand video lessons crafted and delivered by an industry expert — giving you direct access to honed, real-world insight whenever you're ready for it.
Course Access Window
You'll have access to this course for one year (365 days) from the date of enrollment, giving you plenty of time to work through the content at your own pace. Need more time? Extended access is available for an additional fee — just reach out to our team to request an extension.
Counts Toward Your CMP
PCMA Institute is recognized by the Events Industry Council (EIC) as a Preferred Provider of continuing education. Completing this course qualifies for CMP continuing education credit, so every hour you invest moves your certification forward.
Learn From An Industry Expert
Lindsay Landman
President & Creative Director | Lindsay Landman Events
New York-based event designer Lindsay Landman has been producing innovative weddings and special events across the globe since 2001. Her company, Lindsay Landman Events, has been a market leader in the unique integration of event planning, design, and production, initiated by Lindsay’s trademark focus on the intersection of beauty and brains, form, and function.
Lindsay is a go-to media resource, providing insight on weddings, design, etiquette, and entertaining for dozens of publications, including New York Magazine, Brides, The Knot, Inside Weddings, and BizBash, as well as television outlets such as the Style Network and ABC-TV. Lindsay is passionate about writing for both business and pleasure and flexes her writing muscles regularly as a contributor for Examiner.com and ChicTip.com as well as on the Lindsay Landman Events blog.
Lindsay earned her B.A. in English from the University of Pennsylvania, and in addition to a decade of event design coursework, she is currently studying Interior Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Beyond her role as President and Creative Director of Lindsay Landman Events, Lindsay is the founding President of the New York Chapter of Wish Upon a Wedding and the National Event Chair for the organization, as well as a busy wife and mother of two boys. Lindsay and her family reside in New York City.
Ready to Level Up?
We want to make sure you're getting the best price available to you. PCMA and CEMA members, as well as Institute subscribers, automatically receive a discount — no codes needed. Simply log in at checkout and your savings will be applied based on your account.
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Satisfaction Guarantee
The PCMA Institute stands behind all of its content. If you feel you didn’t learn what you expected to in this course, just let us know within 30 days of your last lesson and we’ll give you a full refund. Full terms & conditions apply.
