Table of Content
Digital billboards are meant to grab people's attention. Naturally, you'd want (and need) the material to look fantastic. Making or creating content for digital sign displays is a lot of fun. You may play around with different tones, alignments, and sizes of text and images. But don't go crazy with the aesthetics. The ultimate aim of providing information remains the most vital component.
So, what is the most useful guidance for making content for digital signage screens? If you want your material to look its best, follow these simple signage design guidelines.
Digital signage ratios
Digital television displays are always made with the same aspect ratio. This aspect ratio is 16:9 on a landscape screen and 9:16 on a portrait screen. If you're creating for a screen other than a standard TV screen, such as an iPad, the aspect ratio may need to be adjusted (iPads have a 4:3 ratio).
Display resolution
'Display resolution' is a phrase you may be familiar with if you work in the business. It includes all the pixels that make up the display. More pixels usually mean higher image and screen resolution.
These are the typical pixel dimensions for each common display type:
- Quarter high definition (HD) = 960 x 560 pixels
- 1280 x 720 = HD ready/regular HD
- High Definition: 1920 x 1080
- Ultra High Definition = 3840 by 2160
For the best digital sign board design results, you should use at least 1920 x 1080 pixel (full HD) pictures and videos wherever feasible.
Use a big font
Ensure the text is big enough to be seen comfortably, which may vary depending on your display size. This advice may seem apparent, but it might be challenging to establish the readability of your texts on the displays while you're creating content on your computer (with the screen just a few centimeters from your eyes). Get away from the screen and evaluate the outcome if you're initially uncertain.
Digital signage content layouts
You can use several excellent layouts for digital screen advertising to enhance the composition of the display or make any text on a digital notice more legible.
When designing digital signage, consider the following factors:
Allow for sufficient outside space
You should consider including some "safe space" around the edges of your design if you want it to look good when you show it on a TV screen. It acts similarly to a bleed in printed documents in that it protects the borders of your text from being trimmed off.
Concentrate design components along the path of the viewer's gaze.
If you want your material to be read from left to right (or right to left), you may use the "F Pattern." The conventional "rule of thirds" composition may also be used, in which important elements are positioned at the content's intersections.
Apply the 3x5 text rule
Use the 3x5 guidelines when deciding how much text to include. Keep your writing to no more than three lines long and five words for each line (or vice versa) to keep your message clear and concise, even under time constraints.
Use a hierarchical structure to organize your material
Your digital signage design is no different from any other medium in that certain information may be more crucial than the following one. An attention-grabbing headline, special, or picture, to name a few examples.
Including a call to action
Include a call to action that points your readers in the right way. That way, they'll know what to do next and how you can help them the most. Ensure your advertisements and other forms of communication clearly state how your customers may contact you. In addition, the call to action should begin with a word that prompts the reader to take immediate action.
Color and contrast
Use colors that contrast with one another to make your text more readable. If the backdrop is black, then the typeface should be white. A transparent color overlay on a video or picture backdrop is a good idea.
Use image overlays
Use a black overlay on top of any photographs that will have text on them to improve readability. Similarly, an overlay may improve the readability of white text on a dark picture or backdrop.
Separate your screens into zones
Separating your electronic display board into zones is a great method to maximize the value of your display and exhibit many types of information concurrently. Consider using a model that permits a main zone in the 16:9 aspect ratio. The 16:9 area matches the aspect ratio of the full screen, making it familiar to your viewers since it is the same as a standard television screen. You may utilize the major zone for headlines and other critical information, while the auxiliary zones can be used for weather and the news. Guidelines for zone alignment and ratio should also be adhered to. Avoid showing material in a 4:3 or, even worse, 9:16 ratio if your central zone has a 16:9 ratio. Last, it helps to avoid playing videos in several zones at once.
Sound checks
In case you want to play your content with sound, it's important to ensure the space in which you show your digital signage can handle the volume of any audio material you want to broadcast, then determine whether or not the audio is audible.
Whether live or recorded, videos and news feeds, YouTube playlists, and social network information look amazing on digital signage panels. To improve the watching experience, sound (or subtitles) is essential. Verify that your system and setup can properly render the audio.
Conclusion
There's no denying that content is still king; the trick is knowing how to claim your throne and where to put your crown. You may avoid digital signage content failure by following these design rules and never worrying about being unseen. To take advantage of the most recent technologies, which enable you to create superb digital signage content and engaging experiences, you need reputable digital signage software — and Look DS provides cutting-edge tools you need to outperform your competitors.