You’ve been there—walking through a trade show or exhibition hall where colors, lights, and logos compete for attention. It’s noisy. It’s crowded. Every brand is shouting, “Look at me!”
And yet, one display somehow does make you stop.
Maybe it’s the bold contrast. Maybe it’s the clean message. Or maybe it’s the way the standee feels perfectly placed, almost magnetic in how it pulls you closer.
That’s not luck—it’s design done right.
If your standee display blends into the background, it’s not working hard enough. A great standee doesn’t just occupy space—it commands it. It tells your story at a glance, draws the right people in, and makes them remember you long after the event ends.
Here’s how to make sure your standee design pops, even when surrounded by hundreds of others vying for the same few seconds of attention.
1. Start with One Clear Message
A standee’s worst enemy? Clutter.
When you’re limited to a few seconds of attention, less really is more.
Ask yourself: If someone only remembers one thing, what should it be?
That might be your product name, tagline, or offer. Whatever it is, give it space to breathe. One strong message will always beat five competing ones.
Think of your standee as a billboard in a busy street—you’re not writing a brochure. You’re delivering impact.
2. Contrast Is Your Best Friend
Contrast is what makes your design pop. It’s the visual tension that helps your message stand out from the noise around it.
There are three types of contrast to master:
- Color Contrast: Pair light with dark. Bright backgrounds with bold text. Avoid using shades that blend together—like red on orange or blue on black.
- Size Contrast: Make your key message big enough to read from across the room. Support details should be smaller, not competing for attention.
- Font Contrast: Use two fonts max—one for headlines, one for body text—and make sure they complement each other.
Pro tip: Step back five meters from your design. If you can’t read the main text clearly, neither can your audience.
3. Visual Hierarchy: Lead the Eye
Design isn’t just about what looks good—it’s about what gets noticed first.
That’s where visual hierarchy comes in. It’s how you guide someone’s eyes from the most important element to the next.
Start with these rules:
- Top: Your logo or brand name—so people instantly know who you are.
- Middle: The key message—your headline, offer, or statement.
- Bottom: Supporting details—like contact info, QR codes, or social handles.
Arrange these elements in a way that feels natural, with plenty of spacing between sections. Your viewer should never have to “search” for what matters.
Hierarchy is silent structure—it tells people where to look and what to remember.
4. Bold Colors, But Thoughtful Choices
Bright colors grab attention—but only when used intentionally.
Choose colors that align with your brand while still creating energy and visibility. For example:
- Red conveys urgency or excitement.
- Blue builds trust and stability.
- Yellow sparks curiosity and optimism.
- Black and gold evoke luxury and exclusivity.
The trick is balance. Too many colors create chaos. Stick to two or three dominant tones, plus a neutral background to let your main hues shine.
And always test your color palette in the lighting conditions of your event space—what looks vibrant on a screen can appear dull under fluorescent lights.
5. Keep Your Text Short, Sharp, and Strong
The rule of thumb: If it takes longer than three seconds to read, it’s too long.
Your standee isn’t meant for deep reading—it’s for instant recognition.
Use active verbs. Skip jargon. Focus on clarity.
Instead of:
“Providing comprehensive digital solutions for businesses of all sizes.”
Try:
“Digital Solutions That Drive Growth.”
Short sentences pack punch. They’re easier to remember and easier to say out loud—another sign your message is working.
6. Choose Imagery That Tells a Story
A powerful image can communicate what words can’t.
Pick visuals that evoke emotion or showcase your product in action. Avoid generic stock photos—they make your brand blend, not stand out.
Ask yourself:
- Does this image match our message?
- Does it look authentic?
- Does it make people feel something?
When possible, feature real people, not just objects. Faces create connection; they pull viewers in.
And always ensure high resolution—grainy or pixelated prints are the fastest way to look unprofessional.
7. Use White Space Like a Pro
White space (or negative space) isn’t wasted space—it’s breathing room for your message.
Cramming too much into your standee makes it overwhelming. White space helps emphasize what matters. It directs attention, reduces visual fatigue, and adds sophistication.
Think of it as a pause between notes in music—it makes the melody stronger.
8. Placement: Where You Stand Matters
Even the best design can disappear if it’s in the wrong spot.
Eye level is engagement level.
Position your key message around 4 to 5 feet from the ground, where most people’s eyes naturally land.
Avoid corners or low-traffic areas. Instead, place your standee near entrances, intersections, or refreshment areas—places where people linger.
And don’t block sightlines. Your standee should invite people in, not create obstacles.
If possible, test placements before the event starts. Small shifts in angle or lighting can dramatically change visibility.
9. Add Motion or Depth
Flat designs work fine—but dimensional designs wow.
You don’t need fancy tech to achieve this. Try layering cutouts, curved panels, or 3D elements that create depth. Even subtle shadows or textures can make your design feel more alive.
For larger spaces or product demos, integrate lightboxes or digital screens. Movement catches the human eye faster than static images.
When people stop—even for a second—you’ve won their attention.
10. Align with Your Brand Identity
Your standee isn’t just a marketing prop—it’s a brand ambassador.
Everything from your color scheme to typography should reflect who you are. If your brand is playful, let that energy show through creative layouts. If it’s premium, keep your design sleek and minimal.
Consistency across all your event materials—booth backdrop, flyers, banners—creates cohesion. It tells people you’re professional, intentional, and trustworthy.
When your standee feels like part of a larger brand story, it doesn’t just stand out—it feels right.
11. Test Before You Print
It sounds obvious, but it’s often overlooked: always print a small mockup before producing the full standee.
Check visibility, spacing, and alignment in actual size if possible. Look at it from a distance, in different lighting conditions.
Ask people who weren’t involved in the design what they see first. Their reactions are your most honest feedback.
A single test print can save you from costly mistakes—and ensure your standee performs exactly as intended.
12. Think Beyond the Event
The best standee designs don’t end with the event.
Repurpose them for your office lobby, retail store, or future exhibitions. Create modular layouts with detachable panels or interchangeable graphics.
This not only saves money—it strengthens long-term brand visibility.
When designed smartly, your standee becomes a versatile marketing tool, not a one-time display.
13. Bonus Tip: Emotion Wins Every Time
Logic informs. Emotion converts.
The most memorable standee designs trigger feelings—curiosity, excitement, belonging, or pride.
You can achieve this through color, language, or imagery. The key is to make people feel something the moment they look at your display.
Because when emotion steps in, attention follows.
Final Thought
A standee’s job isn’t to shout louder—it’s to speak clearer.
When your design uses contrast, hierarchy, and placement thoughtfully, it creates harmony between creativity and clarity. It turns a simple structure into an experience—one that makes people stop, notice, and remember.
In a sea of noise, a well-designed standee doesn’t just stand tall—it stands apart.
Command Attention with Every Display
Bring your message to life with stunning custom standee displays that capture eyes and hearts. From creative design to precise production, make your brand unforgettable at every event. Partner with the experts at displaymfr.com to craft standees that truly stand out—where design meets strategy.