Digital Signage Trends in 2023

Digital signage is increasingly the best way to communicate with employees, customers, and the general public. The benefits of using a digital signage system are substantial.

The guide covers seven major digital signage trends and the best practices for using digital signage to engage viewers and improve 2023 internal communications.

The digital signage trends include the following:

1. Using Real-Time Data and Automation
2. Getting Data from Sensors
3. Following Sustainability Practices
4. Being Diligent About Security
5. Embracing Bold Design
6. Using Interactivity
7. Improving Accessibility

Businesses use automated data extraction and management methodologies to control what data feeds display on digital signage. The data may come from any connected Internet of Things (IoT) device with an IP address. Alternatively, the data feed may come from a publisher, such as the news channels.

Data analysts first conduct a detailed review of the available data feeds to determine what is most useful to advance 2023 internal communications and marketing efforts. The choices of data feeds depend on the goals of the digital signage system.

The Benefits of Digital Signage Communications

Presenting real-time data to employees is an opportunity to share insights about efficiency, job safety, and productivity that are benchmarks for achieving goals.

There are many ways to use digital signage effectively, such as:

• Job vacancies may show as live job postings.
• Explaining 401K / retirement plan information to employees.
• Promoting key human resources (HR) issues, including diversity in the workplace and employee safety.
• Informing employees about corporate goals that need employee interaction.

Using real-time data with rule-based triggers for the playback creates a display that presents relevant content based on conditional changes. When the system works with real-time data, this data can empower dynamic visuals. The signage may have updates on traffic, weather conditions, breaking news, sports scores, etc.

Certain conditions may trigger targeted content, like ads tailored to different demographics or promotions for certain locations. This capability may include interactive experiences where viewers control the displayed content using mobile devices.

Examples of this capability are safety messages that display up-to-the-minute road conditions based on data feeds about weather and traffic. Pretty cool, right?

Data-driven communications benefit from the innovative use of sensors. Motion sensors that work as triggers display product information for nearby products. More effective are motion sensors that recognize someone in proximity to the digital signage and display relevant content based on the real-time data feeds and the information the system knows about the person.

Here are some examples of how to use sensors:

Advanced uses of sensors report the status of something. This method connects the physical environment to the digital system. Open tables at restaurants, empty parking spaces, operating checkout lines, and waiting times are examples of data that is collectible by sensors.

An employee badge may contain an RFID chip that the system recognizes, or the system may identify a person using facial recognition software. A person's biometrics can help with allowing or denying secure access to restricted areas.

A potential customer may scan a displayed QR code using a mobile phone to register with the system and control the content on the monitor display.

Digital signage is more sustainable when compared to traditional signage. The content used for digital signage does not need to be printed and then reprinted if the information changes. Content updates come from a centralized source. Updates happen over the network by using a remote connection.

With digital signage, there is less paper waste and fewer travel expenses. Power management techniques save on electricity. Eco-friendly display monitors operate with low power consumption. The system can turn monitors off automatically when sensors indicate no one is nearby.

Another consideration is using the digital signage display in dark mode. This dark mode means the background is dark, and any text is white or gray. The dark mode configuration uses less energy when shown on traditional monitor displays. Using newer LED or LCD monitor displays also saves energy expenses without using dark mode.

Network security is a big issue for all businesses. Digital signage systems operate over a secure network. The best practices are for the network connections for a digital signage system to utilize specific IP addresses along with port usage restrictions.

Data can come in for authorized feeds from specific IP addresses and through certain ports. No data should be able to leave a secured facility through a properly-configured digital signage

Trending now is more use of 3D graphics with motion, bold colors, shapes and fonts.

3D Graphics

3D graphics make compelling images that create more viewer engagement than 2D images. Moving images are a way to attract viewers' attention too. Motion graphics, such as 3D animation, grab the audience's attention.

Bold Colors, Shapes, and Fonts

Using bold, highly-saturated colors is another way to attract viewers' attention. These colors convey a sense of excitement. An example of this trend is the Color of the Year selected by Pantone, Viva Magenta.

Geometric shapes are useful to highlight content and make it stand out. Round shapes suggest movement. Triangles point to items of interest.

Bold fonts collaborate with bold colors to create dynamic attention-grabbing content.

Content that engages is easier to create with viewer participation through interactivity. Sensors may trigger the interactivity, or a viewer may turn it on through a touch-screen interface on a monitor or kiosk.

Making the content accessible includes having the option to display the content following ADA guidelines for complimentary colors that have significant contrast for easy viewing. Accessible fonts are those that are sans-serif with no italics used. Decorative or script-like fonts are not appropriate.

The accessible display feature should be selectable by an option button that changes the screen design, menus, buttons, and color contrast to meet a viewer's needs.

For accessibility for those in a wheelchair, a kiosk that slopes from 15 to 20 degrees is appropriate. The recommendation is that the viewer not have to reach more than 48 inches to touch the screen/kiosk or reach lower than 15 inches above the ground level.

Those are seven of the hottest trends. Looking for help with your digital signage efforts? Contact us for a free consultation.