PechaKucha is a new form of presenting—showing 20 images that each remain on screen for 20 seconds as shown in the next illustration. The transition of the images is done automatically, and therefore a PechaKucha presentation lasts exactly 6 minutes and 40 seconds.

Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham invented the concept in 2003. They share a bureau for design and architecture in Tokyo, Klein Dytham architecture (KDa). They organized the first PechaKucha Night to provide young designers with an opportunity to meet, to network and see each other's work. Because of the limited time, the participants are forced to present in a short and simple way and this provides a chance for more people to present themselves. As an audience, it is easier to stay focused, because the presenters do not get the time to elaborate on all kinds of details that do not really matter.

PechaKucha is pronounced like a single word (petsha-kutsha). On Klein and Dytham's website, we read that PechaKucha is Japanese for the sound of conversation. This can be interpreted like the sound of dialogue, but we also find translations like tittle-tattle, babbling, and chitchat.

PechaKucha Nights have spread over more than 500 cities worldwide. At first, PechaKucha Nights were held for the most part by designers, artists, and architects, but a PechaKucha can be about any subject and anybody can participate. The participant is free to do whatever they want with images and story. On the international site of PechaKucha, www.pechakucha.org, you can check out a large number of PechaKuchas.

PechaKucha Night is trademarked to protect the hard work of the organizers of PechaKucha Nights. Each PechaKucha Night is run by a city organizer only for the inspiration, love, and fun of it. Mostly these people work in the creative industries. PechaKucha Nights are for content, never for profit.

The global PechaKucha network is organized and supported by Klein Dytham architecture.

In this section, you learned what PechaKucha is exactly, where it comes from, and it use. Use this information to get the most out of your presentation and start using PechaKucha to share your ideas and work.