Designing Digital Signage That Truly Captures Attention

In a world saturated with information, your digital signage has a limited time to capture attention and deliver its message effectively. As digital signage solutions evolve, the focus shifts from just having a screen to designing compelling content and effective delivery.  Partnering with a company and reputable content management system that understands the unique needs of each customer is vital.

ListenUp, and our expert Industry partners like SkyKit, focus on essential content and design principles to ensure your digital signage is not just seen, but remembered.

Content & Messaging: Clarity is King

Effective messaging is about maximizing impact with minimal input. Remember, most viewers are on the move and have limited "dwell time."

• Keep it Simple and Concise: The golden rule of digital signage. Focus on one core message or theme per page. Use brief, straightforward language that can be understood at a glance.  

• Embrace the 3x5 Rule: A standard guideline is to use no more than three lines of text with five words per line (or vice versa). This ensures your message is scannable and readable from a distance.

• Include a Clear Call to Action (CTA): Don't leave viewers guessing. Use action-oriented instructions like "Scan this QR code," "Visit our website," or "Ask a team member."

• Customize for Your Audience and Environment: The complexity and duration of content should match the viewer's dwell time. Busy hallways require short, bold messages (5-10 seconds), while waiting areas can accommodate more detailed information or longer videos. A viewer in a high-traffic area needs instant information, while someone in a lobby or waiting room can absorb more detailed content.

• Update Regularly: Stale content is invisible content. Leverage the power of your digital signage software, such as SkyKit's content management system, to schedule fresh, relevant updates (like daily specials or seasonal promotions) to maintain audience engagement.

Visual Design & Layout: The Science of Readability

The visual appeal of your content determines if your message is even processed. 

• Organization: Use Templates to efficiently organize information in a flexible framework that ensures brand consistency while allowing for easy content updates but try not to make it too busy with irrelevant content.

• Prioritize High Contrast and Readability: Use strong contrast between text and backgrounds (e.g., black on white, or yellow on dark blue). Avoid pastels or clashing colors that cause eye strain.

• Choose Legible, Sans-Serif Fonts and make them large: Stick to clean, simple typefaces like Arial, Helvetica, or Verdana. They are easier to read on screens than script or novelty fonts and a general rule is one inch of text height for every 10 feet of viewing distance.

• Use High-Quality Visuals: Use high-resolution images and videos (1920x1080 pixels or 4K). Blurry or pixelated graphics reflect poorly on your brand.

• Incorporate Motion Thoughtfully: Subtle animations can draw the eye to key information, but avoid constant, frenetic motion that is distracting.

• Utilize White Space: Ample "breathing room" prevents visual clutter and allows the viewer's eye to focus on the main message.

How do you choose the right hardware and where do you place it?

The right hardware installed in the right place is essential to delivering your message clearly and reliably.   Whether you are using Interactive maps in Wayfinding solutions to just delivering eye catching graphics, ListenUp can help guide you through the best hardware and strategies for any location.  Some factors that are important to consider:

Ready to implement these design principles and elevate your communication strategy?

Your audience is already looking.
Make sure your message is ready for them.

Connect with ListenUp today for a free consultation and see how SkyKit helps you deliver clear, compelling content effortlessly.