FTC:Pit Design

Your team has spent an entire season designing, building, and fine-tuning your robot. The next step is tournament day. This long-anticipated event can induce anxiety in rookie teams and veteran teams alike. There is a lot of planning and decision-making when preparing to compete. For all FIRST Tech Challenge teams, one big decision is how to plan their pit, or personal team space.

Your team’s pit is an extension of your brand. How you design your pit tells the world who you are at a glance, to the public, judges, and other teams. So your pit design should be done thoughtfully and intentionally. Here is what you need to consider when designing your pit:

Decide how elaborate it needs to be

There is a very big difference between the pits at a regional tournament versus the ones at the World Championships. As the competition level increases, pits will look more and more professional. At a regional tournament, a table displaying your engineering portfolio and prototypes may be all you need, while a state tournament often requires professionally printed CAD drawings, banners, and promotional giveaways. A pit at the World Championships is similar to what you would see at a trade convention with custom-built displays and professional lighting. If this is your first tournament, reach out to a veteran team and ask what to expect locally.

Find out what is provided

Before planning your space, find out what is being provided by event organizers. What are the dimensions of your space? Will you be given a table and chairs, or should you bring your own? How is electricity being delivered to the pit? Make sure to look at the map of the pit space and find out where you will be located. If you are in the middle of a row of pits, the layout you design will be very different than if you have one of the coveted corner locations with two sides open to the public. Check the traffic flow past your pit. If it is a high-traffic area near the practice fields or right inside the door you should plan on taking advantage of the foot traffic.

Decide on the goal for your pit

Some teams use their pit to hang out and get away from the crowd, while others want to create a welcoming environment that lures people inside. Decide what you need from your pit and plan accordingly. If you want personal space to decompress, and a large area to work in, you might decide to place your table along the open side of the pit to create a barrier between you and the public. This gives you a lot of work and storage space, but requires visitors and judges to stand in the public walkway. If you want to welcome people in, make sure to keep the walkway side of the pit free from tables or anything else that blocks access. Create an eye-catching display across the back using tables, a backdrop, and team banner with your logo. This will lure people into your pit and create a welcoming space. Since people naturally avoid crowded areas, make sure that not too many team members are hanging out in the pit at any one time.

Think about the basics

What will you need to do and what will you need to store at your pit? Make sure to create a flat workspace where you can fix your robot as needed, and designate a place for keeping your tools. Set up a charging station for batteries and personal cell phones in the corner closest to your electricity. Decide where you will store your outerwear, coolers, giveaways, and anything else you might need. Think about using your vertical space as well as the space under tables. Avoid looking messy by using tablecloths and bring storage bins to organize everything you need.

Use your team’s branding

The majority of tournament attendees won’t have a chance to visit your pit since there is simply too much going on to see everyone. So make your team colors, name and logo obvious to anyone passing by. Keep banners with your team name and number above your heads rather than down low across the front of your table where it will be blocked by the crowds. Make it easy for judges, and anyone else looking for you, to find the pit. Tablecloths, marketing materials and displays should all be in team colors and incorporate the team logo when possible.

Show Gracious Professionalism

The ideal of Gracious Professionalism should be projected by your team, and this extends to your pit design. While planning, make sure to consider your neighbors. Don’t squeeze their space with a too-big tent. If you are planning on erecting a sidewall, make sure you aren’t blocking their light or view. Don’t use flashing lights, spotlights, scrolling marquee signs or anything else that might bother the teams located across from you. Keep in mind that the design of your pit can impact the reputation of your team, and plan accordingly.

Find inspiration

Want to try something creative or unique with your pit but don’t know where to start? Check the internet! Examples of FTC pits can be found through a simple search, but don’t limit yourself to what’s already been done. Research trade show designs, interior design, and look up retail marketing techniques. Go to your local tech store and pay attention to signage and techniques they use to highlight their brand. Your pit creates the first impression of your team, make the most of it by thinking outside the box.