The short attention spans that today’s consumers have for advertisements mean that advertisers need to grab and retain attention. Digital advertising signs are one of the most effective techniques of dynamic customer engagement, but in a world full of blinking and glowing signs, how does one design an effective digital sign? Here are some basic guidelines that would guide you towards creating effective digital advertising signs that attract attention, communicate compelling messages as well as create a positive brand image.
1. Focus on Simplicity and Clarity
In terms of digital advertising, simplicity is the way to go. A sign containing too much information will only overwhelm the viewer and water down your intended message. First, make sure you highlight those elements that you want your target audience to focus on first, for instance, your main message, product name or call to action. Avoid the use of fancy and complex language to convey the message so as not to confuse the viewers at first instance. The main idea is to use not more than three major components at one time on the screen to prevent confusing the audience.
2. Use High-Contrast Colors
Choosing the wrong color for your digital signage can be a complete disaster. Use bright colors on the background to enhance the contrast and make the text easier to read with minimal strain from a distance. For instance, do not use black text with a black background or white text with a white background to make your message readable. Bright colors make people focus on the object, but avoid overdoing the colors – it’s better to use two or three bright colors than many. Always use your brand’s color scheme to enhance brand awareness without necessarily making the visuals too busy and unprofessional.
3. Choose the Right Fonts and Sizes
The text in digital signs must be easily readable for digital advertising signs. Choose fonts that are simple, clear and concise from different ranges of vision. That is why sans-serif fonts such as Arial, Helvetica, or Open Sans are suitable because they are clear and look up to date. Also, make sure that the text is written large enough to be read without a magnifying glass from a distance. Any letters in the title or an important message have to be larger than the rest of the text. Remember, a good digital sign should be readable at first glance.
4. Incorporate Motion, But Keep it Subtle
An animation can bring in some depth and also help to lead the viewers’ attention towards one or another element, but excessive or too complicated motion may cause distraction and annoyance. In fact, simple animations such as fading text or a slide are typically the most helpful. Limit the use of animations to not more than 10 seconds to ensure the audience does not lose focus on the message being delivered and ensure that only one or two motion effects are used at any one time.
5. Select High Quality Picture, Graphic or Illustration
By getting poor-quality images, your sign will be untidy and unprofessional. Select pictures that are clear and closely related to your message or information you want to convey. In the same way, ensure they fit your branding and marketing by depicting the right message. Most often, pictures, logos, or images should be used to support your text and make it more interesting but they should not distract the readers’ attention. Consistency in imagery style also plays a part in building brand image consistency, and therefore brand identity.
6. Place Your Call to Action (CTA)
A good example of a digital advertising sign is one that ought to possess a proper call to action (CTA), which directs the onlookers on their next course of action. Regardless of what your CTA is – “Visit Us Today,” “Buy Now,” or “Follow Us,” it is important that it is conspicuous and easily legible. For the CTA, ensure you use contrasting color to the rest of the website, larger font than the rest of the text and place it where it will stand out.
7. Use data and check its efficiency
Another advantage of digital signage is that it is easy to monitor the level of audience interaction, and make changes where necessary. Try to focus on which signs are noticed the most and then based on the results create the necessary changes. Different layouts, colors and styles of message conveyed can be experimented and this will help one to get the best for the intended audience and environment consistently.
Final Thoughts
Designing effective digital advertising signs is one of the most creative ways of marketing that requires a lot of thinking. Keeping simplicity, contrast, readability and quality visuals in mind, you can produce signs that can draw attention as well as convey the message. The following tips will help you make the best out of your digital advertising signs and use them as effective tools for engagement and conversion.
