Foundations series: Digital signage content design.
Everything you need to know about digital signage content design.
Everything you need to know about digital signage content design.
Digital signage content design goes beyond simply adding a few images and text to a screen. It requires careful thought and planning to create eye-catching, engaging content that communicates effectively with your audience. Whether you are setting up a digital sign board in a retail store, office, or public space, a well-thought-out digital signage design strategy is key to capturing attention and delivering your message.
Great content is the cornerstone of any successful digital signage strategy. Digital signs have a unique advantage in that they do not require active engagement from viewers, making them a powerful communication tool. However, if the content isn't designed thoughtfully, it will simply go unnoticed. Engaging content grabs attention, informs, entertains, or prompts an action. Without quality content, even the most advanced digital signage design software and setup will fail to make an impact.
Digital signage can showcase a wide range of content. This includes images, videos, animations, live web pages, social media feeds, news tickers, and even PowerPoint presentations. Digital signage design templates allow for easy incorporation of various content formats, letting you mix and match to keep the display fresh and dynamic. For example, a digital sign board in a retail store might display promotional videos, current sales, and social media updates in rotation.
A great digital signage design is simple, clear, and tailored to its environment. Use high-quality visuals and keep text minimal and legible. Font size should be large enough to read from a distance, and contrasting colors between text and background help improve readability. Avoid cluttering the screen with too much information. An effective digital sign board design should have a clear call-to-action, whether it's visiting a website, scanning a QR code, or directing foot traffic. Animated and video content is often more engaging than static images, so incorporating motion can help capture attention.
One common mistake in digital signage content design is overcrowding the screen with information. Viewers usually glance at a digital sign for just a few seconds, so long paragraphs of text are often overlooked. Keeping text to a maximum of three lines and using a large, easy-to-read font helps ensure that viewers can quickly grasp your message. Another pitfall is using content not optimized for the screen's resolution. Many digital signage displays use a 16:9 aspect ratio, so content must be created with that in mind to avoid stretching or blurriness. Using a design template tailored for digital signage can help maintain the correct aspect ratio.
Several digital signage design software options are available to simplify content creation. Canva is a user-friendly platform that offers templates and tools to add animations to images, which you can download as video files for your digital sign. Other tools, such as Adobe Spark and Crello, also provide free signage design templates that make it easy to create professional-looking content without the need for design expertise. Screen Kinetics, a partner of Screenly, offers a range of design services, including customizable templates and bespoke content, helping users create eye-catching digital signage content.
To keep your audience engaged, it's important to update digital signage content regularly. The frequency of changes depends on the context and purpose of the display. For promotional content, switching it out every few weeks keeps it relevant and fresh. If your digital signage board is in a high-traffic area, consider updating daily or weekly to maintain viewers' interest. Seasonal events, holidays, and special sales are good opportunities to refresh your digital signage content strategy. Stale content can cause viewers to lose interest and ignore the display altogether.
Effective digital signage content management often requires a team effort. Assign responsibilities based on team members' strengths. For example, a designer can handle digital signage content creation, while a marketing specialist can manage the content strategy. Using a digital signage platform like Screenly allows for collaborative content management, making it easier to schedule, update, and monitor content across multiple displays. Clear communication and defined roles help ensure that the content remains fresh, relevant, and aligned with your business goals.
Getting started with digital signage has never been easier. Screenly provides both digital signage player hardware and software, making it simple to launch your digital signs. You can create stunning content using free signage design templates in Canva or other design tools, then use Screenly's platform to manage your content. Sign up for Screenly's 30-day free trial to explore how easy it is to get your screens up and running. If you have questions, the Screenly Support team is available to help guide you through the process.
Screenly is loaded with features to make digital signage management easy.
