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Designing Digital Signs

Table Of Contents

Designing for digital signs (such as the EagleVision screens on campus) offers a unique set of challenges. Since viewers have no control over how long they can view your message, conveying information quickly and clearly is critical. Below are some recommendations for designing effective digital signs.

Keep It Simple & Focused #

  • Limit yourself to one main message per screen, ideally no more than 15-20 words.
  • Avoid clutter. If a viewer needs more than 3 seconds to understand it, it’s too busy.
  • Use short, action-oriented text (“Join Today,” “Scan Here,” “Starts Friday”).

Design for a Quick Glance #

  • Keep in mind that people will view your ad for 2–5 seconds max, often from across a room.
  • Make key info big, bold, and obvious.
  • Use a clear visual hierarchy using text size, weight, and capitalization. For example:
    • HEADLINE
    • SUBTEXT
    • Details

Use High Contrast & Bold Colors #

  • For best visibility, use white text on dark backgrounds or black text on light backgrounds.
  • For text overlays on videos that will cause the background to vary, consider adding a text outline or an opaque text box.
  • Make sure text is readable in bright ambient light.

Choose Legible Fonts #

  • Choose sans-serif fonts for maximum readability (Helvetica, Open Sans, Roboto).
  • Make your text big! 50-90 point fonts can be read from across a room, increasing your reach dramatically.
  • Avoid using lots of different fonts. It’s best to stick to no more than two font families.

Be Intentional with Images & Motion #

  • Use high-res images and video (at least 1920×1080 for full HD).
  • Motion grabs attention, but keep it slow and smooth (no seizure-inducing flashes).
  • For video, ensure key messages appear in the first few seconds and stay on screen throughout.

Consider Content Timing #

  • For video, ensure key messages appear in the first few seconds and stay on screen throughout the video.
  • For rotating slides, make sure your slide stays on screen for at least 1 full second per word.
  • Remember viewers may not see the whole ad. Make each slide or moment in your video self-contained.

Make it Easy to Act #

  • Use QR codes or shortlinks rather than full URLs (services like Canva or Bit.ly can generate them).
  • Keep your call to action static. If you have a QR code, keep it in the same place for the duration of your ad.
  • When asking a viewer to take an action or make a choice, extend the timing of the slide as much as possible. Nothing is more frustrating than watching a QR code disappear just as you’ve pulled your phone out to scan!

Test in Context #

  • View your design from the intended distance on a screen similar in size to the digital sign.
  • Try reading all text aloud in the time it appears on-screen. If you feel rushed, extend the timing.
  • Ask others to view and give feedback. Sometimes what is obvious to you will be inscrutable to others.

Additional Resources #

Screencloud’s Digital Signage Design Rules – This guide is for a specific digital signage platform, but the advice is broadly applicable to all digital signage projects.

Want More Help? #

Book an Image or Video Project appointment with a consultant at the DKC! We would love to help you make your digital signage ad the best it can be!