7 Mistakes in Designing Digital Display Signs to Keep in Mind

Digital display signs have revolutionized the way businesses communicate with customers, employees, and visitors. Whether it's outdoor digital display signs catching the attention of passersby or indoor ones guiding people through a store or office, these tools are powerful when used correctly. 

However, designing effective digital display signs isn't as straightforward as it might seem. Poor design choices can make your signs ineffective or even counterproductive. To help you avoid common pitfalls, here are seven mistakes to keep in mind when designing digital display signs.

1. Overloading the Screen with Information

One of the most common mistakes in designing digital display signs is trying to cram too much information onto the screen. While it might be tempting to use every inch of space to share your message, less is often more when it comes to digital signage.

Why It’s a Problem

When you overload your digital display sign with text, images, and other elements, it becomes difficult for viewers to process the information quickly. This is especially problematic for outdoor digital display signs where viewers may only have a few seconds to catch your message as they walk or drive by.

How to Avoid It

• Prioritize Key Information: Focus on the most critical message you want to convey.
• Use Simple, Clear Text: Keep your text concise and to the point.
• Limit Visual Elements: Avoid clutter by limiting the number of images, icons, or other visual elements on the screen.

2. Poor Contrast and Color Choices

Color plays a significant role in the effectiveness of your digital display signs. However, poor color choices can make your sign difficult to read or visually unappealing.

Why It’s a Problem

If the colors of your text and background are too similar, the content can become difficult to read, especially from a distance. This is a common issue with both indoor and outdoor digital display signs. Poor contrast can also make your sign blend into its surroundings, reducing its visibility.

How to Avoid It

• High Contrast Colors: Use high contrast color combinations, like black text on a white background or white text on a dark background, to make your message stand out.
• Avoid Clashing Colors: Ensure your colors complement each other and are easy on the eyes. Avoid using too many bright or neon colors together.

3. Ignoring Readability

Even if your sign has the right message and colors, it won't be effective if people can't read it easily. Readability is a critical factor in the design of digital display signs.

Why It’s a Problem

Small fonts, overly decorative fonts, or too much text can make your sign hard to read, especially from a distance. This issue is particularly relevant for outdoor digital display signs, where viewers may be moving or have limited time to read your message.

How to Avoid It

• Choose Legible Fonts: Stick to simple, clean fonts that are easy to read at a glance.
• Appropriate Font Size: Use larger font sizes for key messages, especially if the sign is meant to be viewed from a distance.
• Limit Text: Keep your messages short and to the point to ensure they can be read quickly.

4. Lack of a Clear Call to Action

Your digital display sign should not only convey information but also encourage the viewer to take a specific action. A lack of a clear call to action (CTA) can render your sign ineffective.

Why It’s a Problem

Without a clear CTA, viewers may not know what you want them to do next, whether it’s visiting your store, attending an event, or making a purchase. This is a missed opportunity to engage with your audience and drive desired outcomes.

How to Avoid It

• Include a Strong CTA: Make sure every digital display sign has a clear and concise call to action, such as “Visit Us Today” or “Shop Now.”
• Make the CTA Stand Out: Use bold text, contrasting colors, or a distinct button-style design to make the CTA easy to spot.

5. Not Considering Viewing Distance and Angle

The effectiveness of digital display signs can be significantly impacted by where they are placed and how they are viewed. Failing to consider the viewing distance and angle can lead to signs that are hard to see or read.

Why It’s a Problem

If your sign is too small or placed at an awkward angle, viewers might miss it entirely or struggle to read the content. This is especially true for indoor digital display signs where space might be limited.

How to Avoid It

• Size Appropriately: Ensure that the size of your sign is appropriate for the distance from which it will be viewed. Larger signs for long-distance viewing, smaller signs for closer distances.
• Optimize Placement: Position your sign where it can be easily seen by the target audience, considering factors like eye level and viewing angles.

6. Inconsistent Branding

Your digital display signs are an extension of your brand, and inconsistency in branding can confuse your audience or weaken your brand’s identity.

Why It’s a Problem

If your digital display signs don’t align with your brand’s colors, fonts, and overall style, it can create a disjointed experience for your audience. This inconsistency can dilute your brand's impact and make your messaging less memorable.

How to Avoid It

• Stick to Brand Guidelines: Always use your brand’s approved colors, fonts, and logos in your digital display signs.
• Consistent Messaging: Ensure that the tone and style of your content are consistent with your brand’s voice across all signage.

7. Neglecting Maintenance and Updates

Even the best-designed digital display signs need regular maintenance and updates to stay effective. Neglecting this aspect can lead to outdated content or signs that are not functioning properly.

Why It’s a Problem

Outdated or malfunctioning signs can create a negative impression and reduce the effectiveness of your communication. For outdoor digital display signs, exposure to weather and other elements can also cause wear and tear, making regular maintenance even more critical.

How to Avoid It

• Regularly Update Content: Keep your content fresh and relevant by updating it regularly. Remove any outdated promotions or information promptly.
• Schedule Maintenance: Regularly check your signs for any issues such as fading screens, software glitches, or physical damage, and address them promptly.

Conclusion

Designing digital display signs that are effective and engaging requires careful planning and attention to detail. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can create signs that capture attention and convey your message effectively. 

Whether you’re working with indoor digital display signs in a retail setting or outdoor digital display signs designed to attract foot traffic, keeping these points in mind will help you make the most of your investment.