Blog | Church Media Directors: Where to Get Design Feedback
Church Media Directors: Where to Get Design Feedback
Church media and tech directors are certainly never short of stage design inspiration. Between various Facebook groups, referencing other church’s livestreams, finding Instagram posts, and looking at church stage design Pinterest pins, chances are you have more ideas than you even know what to do with.
But when it comes to design feedback, most church tech directors don’t know where to get it (aside from that one congregation member who always emails about the music being too loud and stage lights being too bright, but we’ll forget about them for now).
Church Stage Design Feedback: Tech Directors
If you are looking for feedback on your church stage designs, there are a few ways to get it. Here are some suggestions:
Staff
The first and most obvious place to get church stage design feedback is from your own staff! We would even suggest that you get design feedback from church staff far before you actually build anything. Show them the ideas you’re referencing, how you want it to be pieced together on stage, and get their initial reactions to the design concept before you build it all out.
Every church environment is different, but you can generally bank on fellow coworkers being honest with you about their opinions, and it’s a great way to litmus test all your ideas before committing to anything.
Congregational Feedback
This is a tough one. Finding a way to get feedback from your congregation (aside from the aforementioned, infamous “email complainer” person) can be difficult.
Keep an ear out for what people are saying. Ask any friends in the congregation for their honest opinions on the set design. Often, asking for their opinions in contrast to the previous set design is a great way to gauge their actual thoughts on the current set up.
If you have an optional feedback card in your church’s bulletins handed out at the beginning of service, that can be a great way to receive anonymous feedback from church attenders. If anything feels off, too bright/too dim, members can give back feedback through the anonymous “notes” card.
This is a bit less of a “feedback” place and more of an inspiration source, but Pinterest is loaded with tons of set and church stage design ideas. Spend time reflecting on designs you see, figuring out how they were built, and seeing what’s possible for your stage.
Use Pinterest to share your designs with others and see which pins get more or less attention, engagement, and saves. This is a good way to get some initial impressions from others.
There are various subreddit URLs that are dedicated for church staff, church tech, worship, and stage design. Spend time searching for tips regarding church stage design on various subreddits and join those that interest you.
Posting images of your church set design is a great way to get direct feedback and suggestions from other church staff members and volunteers. It’s also a good place to draw inspiration for future set designs as everyone else shares their church stage designs.
Getting Feedback as a Tech Director: Wrapping it Up
It’s easy to find inspiration for church stage designs. However, when it comes to getting feedback on your designs, it’s a bit more difficult. Spend time running potential stage design concepts by your own church staff and hearing their opinions.
Also, congregation members are one of your best sources for feedback (after all, they’re the ones the set design is for!) Ask church members who your close with for their honest opinions on set designs. If your lead pastor is interested in putting an anonymous message/notes card in the church’s bulletin each Sunday, this may be another way to receive feedback directly from your church’s congregation members.
Pinterest is another huge area for set design inspiration, as well as a place to share your ideas. If you want direct feedback from others working in a similar role as yours, check out various subreddits dedicated for church staff and volunteers.
About the Author
Chris Fleming is a professional musician from Minneapolis, MN who has played with artists such as Kari Jobe, TAYA, Aodhan King, and Jason Gray. He is actively involved with the CCM scene and has contributed as a drummer, music director, song writer, and producer for various worship artists and churches locally and nationally. Chris is the Motion Designer at Motion Worship, helping to create motion background collections and countdowns for our subscribers.