Pecha Kucha (Japanese: ペチャクチャ, IPA: [petɕa ku͍̥tɕa],^[1] chit-chat) is a presentation methodology in which 20 slides are shown for 20 seconds each (approx. 6′ 40″ in total), usually seen in a multiple-speaker event called a Pecha Kucha Night (PKN).

Pecha Kucha Night was devised in February 2003^[2] by Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham of Tokyo‘s Klein-Dytham Architecture (KDa), as a way to attract people to Super Deluxe, their experimental event space in Roppongi.^[3] Pecha Kucha Night events consist of around a dozen presentations, each presenter having 20 slides, each shown for 20 seconds on a timer. Thus, each presenter has just 6 minutes and 40 seconds to explain their ideas before the next takes the stage. Conceived as a venue through which young designers could meet, show their work, exchange ideas, and network, the format keeps presentations concise and fast-paced.

[edit] Locations

In 2004 PKN began in a few cities in Europe, and has since become a worldwide phenomenon.^[4][5] As of 29th January 2012, Pecha Kucha Nights were held in 469 cities worldwide.^[6] Event flyers are posted on the global Pecha Kucha Daily blog.^[7]

[edit] Format

A typical Pecha Kucha Night includes eight to fourteen presentations. The presenters (and much of the audience) are usually from the design, architecture, photography, art and creative fields, but also often includes those from academia.^[8]

Organizers in some cities have added their own variations to the format. 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. Video art has also been presented at some events.

[edit] 20×20 Talks

One of the attractions of Pecha Kucha Nights is the wide range of the 20×20 talks. Most consist of 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.

Well-known presenters at Pecha Kucha Nights have included the architects Jun Aoki, Toyo Ito, Rem Koolhaas, designers such as Tom Dixon, Ron Arad, Thomas Heatherwick, but also comedians such as Johnny Vegas, actress Joanna Lumley and ITN newscaster Jon Snow. However, the power of Pecha Kucha is that the success of each presentation relies purely on the presenter’s personality and the strength of her or his ideas; the format places young designers and students on the same footing as the global stars mentioned above.

As of 29th January 2012, 256 talks are available for online viewing at Pecha Kucha Presentations.^[9]

Presenters must grant Pecha Kucha Night certain non-exclusive rights and license to reproduce their appearance.^[10]