Petcha Kutcha

I didn't know there'd be 300 people!

Mar 07, 2025

Instagram was pretty persistent in showing me the new Petcha Kutcha night in Bristol run by Duncan Shotton. More on him in a sec.

For anyone not familiar, a Petcha Kutcha is “a presentation format where a speaker shows 20 slides, each displayed for exactly 20 seconds, forcing them to deliver a concise and visually focused presentation that lasts a total of 6 minutes and 40 seconds; the term translates to "chit-chat" in Japanese and originated as a way for designers to quickly share their work with impactful imagery.”

The first PK Bristol was themed ‘Happiness’ and my buddy Josh Saunders spoke about his thoughts on the matter and how he’s re-evaluated what makes him happy since having kids. It was a great talk with a surprising and cute typographic element to it – you can see it here. There were 7 other speakers that night, check out the PK Bristol page and you can watch all the other ‘Happiness’ talks.

I wasn't able to go along to the first one but I realised Duncan and PK Bristol had recently followed me on Instagram and when I looked at their pages I became aware of what a fantastic community he was building. I watched Josh’s talk online and joined the PK Bristol community on the PK website (it’s a franchise and anyone, anywhere can start one).

I started chatting with Duncan and he returned to my DMs last month to ask if I’d be part of the next one, themed ‘Chaos’. I enthusiastically agreed. I probably should have asked a few more questions, like, how many people would be there? Would I be able to have notes on the laptop screen so I don’t lose my thread? Sensible stuff.

The answers to my questions I found out a little too close to the night were:

• 300 people
• No notes!

I actually found out about the 300 people thing in passing, ON the night, while I was in the green room going through my slides – I overheard someone telling someone else.

Needless to say, I had to give myself a talking to and realised I’d done this before, I was well rehearsed and the crowd were going to be rooting for me.

Happy to report it went as well as a no-notes, timed-slide presentation can go and you can watch it here. Wince as I bumble and explain my thoughts on my lettering process and how it relates to chaos.

Duncan

What a lovely man. He was so encouraging, warm and enthusiastic. Not only is he lovely, but I absolutely love everything he’s about. He is an artist, designer and inventor. INVENTOR! Not in the ‘Professor Wheeto’ way, I would say he invents moments of joy for like-minded people. Here are some things he’s designed and invented.

Pencils that create little rainbows when sharpened 😍

A soy dish that, when filled, shows the gradients of the shape.

Planet push-pins, notes that wave at you, ‘real boy’ Pinnochio pins… All stuff that brings surprise and delight and a sense of humour to your life. How can you be sad with any of these inventions around you?

There’s loads more cool stuff to look at on his website and his Instagram. It’s great that he’s bringing a community of like-minded people together through the Bristol Petch Kutcha night. If your Bristol-based, you should get involved.