The big, buzzy TED Conference wraps today in Long Beach, after kicking off on Monday. The annual event, simulcast in Palm Springs, sold out a year in advance and drew more than 1,000 people (who qualified for attendance with memberships starting in the thousands of dollars). The big thinkers came for content that—in addition to the conference's namesake categories technology, entertainment, and design—now covers the categories of science, business, the arts, and global issues. Over four days, 50 speakers each took an 18-minute slot, and shorter presentations also included musical and comedy performances.
Here's a look at some of the smart ideas from the TED Conference home base for the fourth year, the Long Beach Performing Arts Center by the sea, and the TEDActive simulcast location at the Riviera Resort and Spa in the desert.
Photo: Marla Aufmuth
TED2012
Oversize letters spelled out TED as part of the event's clean, on-brand stage design, from which speakers like Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes addressed the crowd.
Photo: James Duncan Davidson
TED2012
TED Session 2, "The Parlor," opened with a performance by dance company Quixotic Fusion that was a combination of movement and technology. The performers interacted with each other and with objects projected around them.
Photo: James Duncan Davidson
TED2012
Simulcast of the event was available in all the conference's partner spaces around the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. In an area known as a "social space" (pictured), attendees collaborated in the main lobby under the wall with this year’s speaker headshots.
Photo: Robert Leslie
TED2012
The 10 winning ads from this year’s "Ads Worth Spreading" challenge played in a display, part of the "Google Garage" at TED. Boxman Studios, which specializes in branding via modified shipping containers, and interactive agency Sub Rosa were behind the setup, made from such containers. The 3,000-square-foot structure included elements like viewing areas, a cafe, and games.
Photo: Robert Leslie
TED2012
Marco Tempest, who bills himself as a "virtual magician and techno-illusionist," took to the TED stage on Wednesday to tell the story of inventor and mechanical/electrical engineer Nikola Tesla with projections, pop-up books, and gestures. He wore a hat, and Tesla’s face was projected on his own during the presentation.
Photo: James Duncan Davidson
TED2012
Colorful balloons soared overhead for clean-looking branding and decor.
Photo: Robert Leslie
TEDActive
The light installation "Magical Underwater Thinking With Scott Watson" beckoned guests to take a whirl through its colorful pieces.
Photo: Marla Aufmuth
TEDActive
Artist Megan Geckler created an art installation out of colored flagging tape at the Riviera. Attendees participated and made their own pieces of art, then uploaded photos of their work to Twitter using the hashtag #flagtag. Those photos automatically showed up on a dedicated area of Geckler's Web site.
Photo: Marla Aufmuth
TEDActive
These cards show results from the TEDActive Progressive Ideas Project, hosted by Johnnie Walker, which explored the question, "How do you bring a great idea to scale?"
Photo: Marla Aufmuth
TEDActive
Artist and TED fellow Candy Chang hosted the "Before I die..." wall, collecting the hopes and dreams of TEDActive-goers throughout the week.
Photo: Marla Aufmuth
TEDActive
TEDActive Projects are a central element of the TEDActive experience, and participants could choose to focus on a single project or dabble in several. Attendees conceived, planned, and executed six projects in all, coming together around different concepts and channeling the group to address tough issues and spark initiatives around ideas shared at TED. For example, the TEDActive Giving Project, hosted by Toms, sought to work out, "How do we get individuals, businesses, and communities more engaged in the act of giving?" On-site topic experts and facilitators advised teams and moved them toward the goals they established during online discussions in the weeks leading up to the conference and on whiteboards at the event (pictured).
Photo: Michael Brands
TEDActive
Inside the show lounge at TEDActive, cozy beanbag seating allowed attendees to watch the TED2012 simulcast from Long Beach.
Photo: Marla Aufmuth
TEDActive
Organizers of TEDx programs, TED-style events hosted by independent groups, gathered for dinner at the Sunnylands Center & Gardens. More than 250 TEDx organizers from around the world were in Palm Springs this week for the event.
Photo: Michael Brands
