Digital signage allows you to keep your display fresh and engaging for potential customers. Read this article by Discount Displays for our top tips on how to create an effective design that is creative and informational.
1. What is your message?
The first step to ensure clear and effective signage is defining what the message is. Is it informational? promotions? interacting with customers?
2. Keep it simple
Use a clear and easy-to-read font, avoid too much information, and ensure that the message is easily readable, especially at the customer viewing distance.
Include a call to action to draw customers to critical information. Whether that be a promotional code or your social media.
3. Location, location, location
Tailor your design to your marketing location. If customers are queuing then you may have longer to get your message across and provide more information. If your mounted digital signage is by an escalator then keep it short with only seconds to attract passers-by.
Animations and motions can be eye-catching, especially for short-term viewing, but only use them if they add to your messaging rather than detract.
4. Quality images
The quality of the media used in digital signage design is important, as it can greatly affect the overall effectiveness of the message. Use high-resolution images ideally between 2-3MB to ensure clear photos whilst avoiding display issues due to internet connection.
5. Messaging & Text
Don’t make the text too small! Choose a clear font and size that can be read from a distance. We recommend Sans Serif fonts for better readability.
Keep the message in mind, it is important to make sure it is effectively communicated and you get the desired result.
6. Colours & contrast
Use colours that are easy on the eyes and complement the message. Contrast colours help your design stand out and make the message easy to read. Avoid using too many colours, as it can be overwhelming.
7. Consistent templates
Consistency and ease of update are key when trying to make digital signs look more professional. A uniform template is helpful, allowing changes to the content with relative simplicity.
Utilise your brand colours and logos to give the same message over all your marketing channels.
8. Optimise for your device
If you have multiple screens with different hardware systems, including screen resolutions and aspect ratios adapt your content to ensure it looks great and is legible and clear on all devices.
Leave space around the edge of your design to prevent the any content from being cut off.
9. Test your content
Designs intended for the web may not be compatible with digital displays, use software that allows a compatible template. Take time to get it right the first time so future changes are straight forward.
Before uploading the digital signage design content, test it to ensure that there are no mistakes and everything flows. If you have a network digital sign check the signal is strong and reliable.
Check the sound, images, spelling and ratios. Look at your display from different distances and angles from a potential customers view point.
10. Analytics & updating
Use analytics to measure the audience’s engagement and incorporate feedback to improve the content.
A great benefit of digital signage is how easy it is to update your content. Changing content on digital signage is pretty much free and very fast.
You can try different messages at different times of day or the week to see what impact that may have. Test, improve and repeat.
Regularly update the content to keep it interesting and relevant to the audience.
