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PechaKucha (Japanese: ペチャクチャ, [petɕa ku͍̥tɕa], chit-chat) is a presentation style in which 20 slides are shown for 20 seconds each (6 minutes and 40 seconds in total). The format, which keeps presentations concise and fast-paced, powers multiple-speaker events called PechaKucha Nights (PKNs).
Contents
PechaKucha 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 SuperDeluxe, their experimental event space in Roppongi, and to allow young designers to meet, show their work, and exchange ideas.
In 2004, a few cities in Europe began holding PKNs, the first of several hundred cities that have since launched similar events around the world. As of May 2016, PKNs were held in over 900 cities worldwide.
Format
A typical PechaKucha Night (PKN) includes 8 to 14 presentations. In each presentation 20 slides are shown for 20 seconds each. Organisers in some cities have added their own variations to the format. For example, 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.
The audience is usually from the design, architecture, photography, art and creative fields, but also from academia. Most presenters are 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. Video art has also been presented at some events.
Protocol for starting a PechaKucha Night
To start a PechaKucha Night, potential organizers contact the PechaKucha organization, and after an informal application process, exchange a "handshake" agreement. There are no limitations to a PechaKucha night. Anyone is invited to partake in the presentation.
PechaKucha is a registered tradename of Klein-Dytham Architecture (KDa). The PechaKucha terms of use require presenters to "grant PechaKucha Night certain non-exclusive rights and license to reproduce their appearance." Event flyers are posted on the global PechaKucha Daily blog, while videos of presentations are posted online as well.