Guide: How to create content for LED Displays
Looking for expert advice on creating content for outdoor and indoor LED display screens? Discover valuable tips to optimize your advertising campaign and achieve the best possible results. Explore the top practices for crafting effective digital signage content. So, let’s dive in!
1. Test Content Before Installation
When creating content for an LED display screen, it’s important to keep in mind that every screen is unique. This means that the readability and rendering of images, colors, and texts may vary from screen to screen. To ensure that your content looks exactly as intended on your specific LED display screen, it’s highly recommended to test it using our template. This will allow you to see how your content will appear and make any necessary adjustments before publishing it for your audience.
2. Display Technical Data
Before you can begin creating your content, it is essential to have a basic understanding of the technical specifications that will impact its visual impact. This includes factors such as display resolution, pixel pitch, minimum viewing distance, and the environment in which the content will be displayed. It is important to note that each digital display is unique, and therefore, your content must be customized for each specific screen. By taking into consideration these technical details, you can ensure that your content will have the desired effect and make a lasting impression on your audience.
3. Exact Pixel Size
When creating content for LED displays, it is crucial to adhere to the specific pixel size of the screen. It is not recommended to rely on software automatic scaling for images and videos. The ideal approach is to design content using the exact pixel resolution of the electronic sign, as this will provide superior quality and enhance the viewing experience for your target audience. Extensive testing has shown that enlarging image size will not necessarily improve quality; in fact, it may have the opposite effect. Therefore, it is important to always prioritize accuracy and precision when creating content for LED displays. This will ensure that your message comes across clearly and effectively to your audience
4. Avoid Bright Colors
When using a full screen background for your LED digital sign, it is important to avoid bright colors such as white or red. This can have negative consequences in multiple ways. Firstly, frequent use of these bright colors can significantly decrease the lifespan of your electronic sign. Additionally, they will consume more electricity compared to darker and softer colors. Moreover, the brightness can be overwhelming for your target audience and may deter them from looking at your sign. This defeats the purpose of having an electronic sign: which is to capture people’s attention. Furthermore, using bright colors can also have more serious consequences, such as distracting drivers and potentially causing accidents. To prevent these issues, it is highly recommended to always opt for darker and softer colors for your backgrounds. This will not only ensure a longer lifespan for your sign and save on energy costs, but also create a more pleasant viewing experience for your audience.
5. Use contrasting colors
To ensure maximum visibility of your text, it is important to consider how your company’s branding can be incorporated into digital signs. Certain color combinations are more effective for digital signage, as they offer better readability and are easier on the eyes. Some examples of good color combinations include black on yellow, yellow on black, white on blue, yellow on blue, and white on green. Researching and experimenting with different color combinations can help you find the most suitable option for your digital signs, ensuring that your messages are clearly visible to your audience. So, it is essential to carefully consider and choose the right color combination for your company’s branding on digital signs.
6. Use Few Words
Frequently, it is necessary for your audience to quickly grasp the message being conveyed. This could be due to the location of your advertising board near a busy road or in an area with high foot traffic. Therefore, we highly recommend utilizing concise language and minimizing word count. Your message should be succinct, easy to understand, and immediately impactful. Generally, we advise limiting sentences to a maximum of 5 to 10 words. Keep in mind that your target audience may be driving or walking past at a high speed.
7. Make text readable
To achieve the best readability effect, we suggest utilizing common fonts such as Arial, Helvetica, and Verdana. These are commonly referred to as “Sans Serif” fonts. In simpler terms, your text should be large and clear in order to enhance legibility. Avoid incorporating drop shadows, bevels, glows or any other effects onto the text. Additionally, ensure that you follow the recommended color contrasts to maximize readability.
8. No Text On Images
In many cases, text and images or videos are often combined due to the versatile nature of the medium. It is crucial, however, to properly differentiate between these elements by ensuring they do not overlap. Failure to do so can result in a jumbled message that is difficult for your target audience to decipher. To avoid this issue, consider separating text and images into different slides or dividing the canvas into distinct zones. Alternatively, you can utilize creative techniques to highlight your text and make it stand out. By effectively differentiating between text and visuals, your composition will not only exude professionalism but also be easily comprehensible for your audience.
9. Keep it Simple
When creating content, it is important to remember that your audience has a limited amount of time to take in and remember your message. Therefore, it is crucial to keep your content simple and avoid clutter and unnecessary information. This will help ensure that your message is effectively communicated and retained by your audience. As the saying goes, “less is more”, so focus on delivering a concise and impactful message rather than overwhelming your audience with excessive content. By keeping your content straightforward and to the point, you can capture and maintain your audience’s attention more effectively.
10. Reduce Motion
Led sign boards, both outdoor and indoor, serve as powerful marketing tools. These displays have the ability to showcase videos, images, and animations, making them an attractive choice for businesses. However, it is important for designers to use caution when incorporating animations into their content for digital displays. While these animated elements may enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of the display during the design phase, they can often prove to be distracting for the target audience. In some cases, viewers may miss out on the main message being conveyed due to their attention being drawn solely to the animation.
11. Timing
One crucial aspect of a successful advertising campaign and information boards is the duration of the content. In television advertising, the total length can range from 20 to 60 seconds. However, in Digital Signage, the average duration for an advertisement is only 10 seconds, with some ads lasting no more than 6 seconds. Therefore, when developing a campaign, it is essential to keep the slides at an average length of 3 seconds. This ensures that your audience is able to grasp your message and prevents them from becoming disinterested in watching the digital sign
12. Smooth Transitions
When transitioning between videos or images, it is recommended to use simplistic transitions. While flashy effects may initially catch the viewer’s attention, they can also be distracting and take away from the overall message you are trying to convey to your target audience. Opt for simple transitions such as fading in and out, as these are often the most effective choices. The transition should be subtle but still noticeable, adding a professional touch to your content. This will ensure that the focus remains on the content itself rather than being taken away by flashy transitions.
13. Go&See
It is highly recommended to regularly assess the quality and impact of your content by physically visiting its location. This will provide valuable insights and allow you to address any issues that may arise on site. If possible, assign at least one team member with expertise in creating or reviewing content, as experience plays a crucial role in achieving successful campaigns. Continuously monitoring and improving your content will ultimately lead to better results and a stronger online presence. Stay proactive in seeking feedback and making necessary adjustments to ensure the effectiveness of your content strategy. Remember, success is a journey, not a destination, so keep striving for improvement and growth. So, continuously strive for excellence!