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5 Real-World Applications of Video Wall Digital Signage and the Strategies Behind Them
September 09, 2024
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Digital Signage
Video walls can make content larger than life, captivating and immersing audiences to create impactful experiences that engage, inform, and inspire. Unique environments and objectives can call for different types of digital signage solutions, like video wall displays, multiple screen menus, or video wall digital signage across different environments.
Let’s look at 5 relevant video wall signage examples that you can apply to your environment:
1. Public Spaces & Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) Advertising
The showstoppers in the world of advertising—Digital Out of Home (DOOH) displays—aren’t your run-of-the-mill billboards. They’re larger-than-life outdoor digital canvases that turn heads, spark conversations, and, most importantly, leave a lasting impact.
Whether they’re dominating the skyline of Times Square or lining highways with jaw-dropping visuals, DOOH advertising is all about leveraging video wall solutions to create that unforgettable, emotional connection with the public. It’s like setting off a digital firework display—captivating, engaging, and impossible to ignore.
You’re not promoting ads; you’re crafting moments that resonate. A well-designed DOOH campaign taps into emotions, influencing how people feel about a brand and even guiding their next move—whether it’s a quick mobile search or a social media shout-out.
Personalization plays a big role too. Designed to capture your attention and keep it, video wall solutions deliver content tailored to the viewer’s context, making every interaction feel like it was made just for them.
When it comes to DOOH, it’s all about the details—pixel pitch, screen size, viewing distance. These factors are meticulously calculated to ensure that the images are crisp and clear, even from afar.
But it’s not just about looking good; these displays have to withstand the elements—rain, shine, pollution, and maybe even the occasional bird. The structural design is equally critical, requiring specialized support to handle the technical and environmental demands.
2. Retail Environments
Sales and limited-time special offers have always had their moment in the spotlight, but let’s get real—today’s retail secret weapon is video walls and digital signage. They’re quietly driving engagement, brand loyalty, and yes—sales. Walk into a store, and those screens become your guide, seamlessly pulling you into the brand's story and opening a direct line to your wallet. That’s the power of well-placed, brilliantly designed digital signage.
In the retail race, the ICE principle—Inform, Convey, Engage—is your go-to strategy. Inform customers about what they didn’t even know they needed. Convey the brand's identity. Engage shoppers so effortlessly that buying becomes instinctive.
And it’s all backed by data. In fact, digital signage content is 400% more likely to spur consumer action than static displays. Retailers strategically place these displays to maximize foot traffic and interaction, especially during those crucial peak shopping times.
Whether you’re in a luxury boutique or a bustling supermarket, the consistency in tech—brightness, contrast, screen resolution, strategic placement—remains the same. It’s about creating an environment where the screens and content play a critical role in shaping the shopping journey.
So, next time you’re in a store like Lululemon and find yourself inexplicably drawn to a particular display, remember—it’s not just good design. It’s a masterclass in the art of persuasion, retail style.
3. Immersive & Experiential Environments
We already know that advanced technology brings spaces to life, transforming them into unforgettable experiences. Whether you're walking through a museum, entering a high-tech corporate lobby, or navigating a state-of-the-art healthcare facility, digital displays are designed to do more than just deliver information—they're here to make you feel something.
Emotional engagement is a powerful tool for achieving a wide variety of goals.
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For example, in a healthcare setting, the goal might be to offer a much welcomed distraction and spark imaginations.
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Meanwhile, in a museum, the objective could be to evoke wonder and curiosity. The content displayed is carefully crafted to trigger specific emotions.
Then there’s interactivity. Immersive environments often feature touchscreens, gesture-based controls, and other interactive elements that invite visitors to engage on a deeper level. These dynamic experiences respond to you, making every interaction unique, and elicit the kind of excitement and fun that brings people back.
Interactive video walls and digital screens change your purpose in the room from being a passive observer to an active participant. Everything from the layout and custom configurations of the screens to the resolution and brightness is tailored to serve the content, and ultimately the person engaging with the technology.
Achieving that means you've successfully extended and achieved new goals, from delivering the message to creating tangible and memorable connections with your audience.
4. Higher Education
LED video walls and LCD video walls are transforming the campus experience and modernizing the way institutions engage with students, faculty, and visitors. As you walk through a university campus, video walls use multiple screens to bring the spirit of the institution to life, showcasing vibrant scenes of student life, groundbreaking research, and historic milestones.
For the generations of incoming students who don’t know a life before screens, large LED and LCD video wall displays with compelling and dynamic content can be as big of a recruiting differentiator as safety and cost are to the parents.
During campus tours, video walls dazzle prospective students, turning a simple visit into a visual experience that highlights what life at the university is truly like in high definition.
Across entertainment, classroom learning, lecture halls and student centers, video walls increase participation with a modern experience that helps students better absorb the high amounts of information they’re expected to take in on a daily basis. Monotonous lectures are out.
Today’s students want engaging, multimedia presentations that make complex concepts easier to grasp and retain. This isn’t about replacing the traditional classroom experience. It’s about complementing it with cutting-edge technology that aligns with the modern learner’s expectations.
Video walls in higher education bridge the gap between tradition and innovation. Universities are adept at blending their rich heritage with contemporary advances, ensuring that these tech upgrades resonate with both long-standing values and future-forward thinking.
By integrating video walls and digital signage, institutions not only modernize their facilities but also reinforce their commitment to providing an engaging and inclusive educational environment.
5. Faith & Worship
Video walls and digital signage are modern-day stained-glass windows. They help to tell the story and convey the message to drive engagement, connection, and a more immersive worship experience.
Imagine walking into a sanctuary where every seat feels like front-row center, where the message isn’t just heard but seen with crystal-clear clarity. That’s the power of video walls in these spaces.
Whether it’s the lyrics of a hymn, a scripture reading, or dynamic images, video walls ensure that every word resonates deeply with the congregation. In a world where attention spans are shrinking faster than ever, these screens keep the audience engaged, making the message impossible to miss.
Digital signage can also promote inclusivity and make services more accessible to worshippers. Whether you’re in a megachurch with thousands of attendees or a small community chapel, video walls can be customized to fit the space perfectly. The technology integrates seamlessly, enhancing the worship experience without overshadowing the sacredness of the environment.
The tech itself—high brightness, sharp resolution, and wide viewing angles—ensures that the content is crystal clear, even in larger venues with diverse lighting conditions. When it comes to faith and worship, video walls and digital signage are more than tools—they’re conduits for connection, inspiration, and community, making every service feel both intimate and grand, all at the same time.
7 Questions to Ask Before Deploying a Video Wall Display Strategy
Before you start picking out displays and dreaming of eye-catching content, it’s best to take a step back. You have to know your destination before starting any journey. The difference between creating an impactful experience and a forgettable one often comes down to asking the right questions upfront.
Whether you’re looking to boost your brand’s presence, spark emotional engagement or create a deeper connection to your message, a well-executed video wall display and content strategy can be a game-changer.
Here are 7 of those to consider; we hope they will inspire and help focus on the best strategy for your unique situation:
1. What’s the primary goal of your video wall and digital signage?
Are you aiming to enhance brand visibility, improve engagement, provide real-time information, or enable stronger retention and connection? Video wall and digital signage projects are a big investment, and if implemented without a clear goal and purpose, then your end result is likely to fall flat.
Identifying a strategic goal to align your signage to along with objectives that serve as the building blocks will ensure you make an impact and generate ROI. Include all stakeholders in the design and planning stages, and work with a strategic integrator to leave no stone unturned and get the most out of your investment.
2. Where will the video walls be located?
Location is everything when it comes to digital signage. High-traffic areas are prime spots, but you also need to consider the viewing angles, weather conditions, lighting conditions, and how the display integrates with its surroundings. A video wall placed in a poorly lit corner or where foot traffic is minimal won't achieve its full potential.
Think about the flow of people through the space and position your displays where they can capture the most attention. Also, consider how the environment might change over time—what works today might need to be adjusted next year.
3. What type of content will you display?
The content you plan to showcase drives both the technology you’ll need and how your audience interacts with the display. Are you looking to run static images, dynamic videos, or interactive content? Each content type has different hardware and software requirements. For example, dynamic video content demands high-resolution displays and robust processing power, while interactive programs require touch capabilities or motion sensors. And what you need could also have implications for other infrastructure updates, like internet or speaker upgrades.
Defining your content strategy early on helps ensure you choose the right technology and can deliver a seamless experience to your audience.
4. How will the content be managed?
Content management is the backbone of your video wall strategy. Do you have a content management system (CMS) in place, or will you need to invest in one? Consider how frequently the content will need to be updated and who will be responsible for this task.
A well-planned CMS allows for easy updates and consistent messaging across all displays. Without a solid content management plan, even the best displays can quickly become irrelevant, diminishing their impact and effectiveness.
5. What’s your budget?
Your budget sets the stage for what’s possible, but it’s not just about the initial cost of hardware and installation. Consider ongoing expenses like content creation, software licensing, maintenance, and potential upgrades. A well-thought-out budget helps you prioritize essential features without compromising on quality. On the flip side, if you spend your entire budget on system upgrades, will it matter if you don’t have the funding to create engaging new content?
Working closely with a strategic integrator can help you identify cost-effective solutions that meet your long-term needs while staying within budget. Remember, the cheapest option might save money upfront, but could lead to higher costs down the line due to maintenance or upgrades.
6. What are the technical requirements?
Technical specs are critical to the success of your video wall. Screen resolution, contrast, brightness, and connectivity are just a few of the factors you need to consider.
Does your chosen location have the necessary infrastructure to support the installation? Are there environmental factors like sunlight or temperature that could affect the performance? For outdoor installations, weatherproofing and durability are key concerns. Ensuring that your space can handle the technical demands of a video wall will prevent costly modifications later on.
That’s why it’s critical to have a strong technology partner that cares about more than just checking the boxes. Think of it like a vacation to one of your amazing bucket list destinations, and you’re in the driver’s seat. The GPS gives you all the directions you need, but a strong navigator by your side can help you consider which route is the right one to choose and what to do if there’s a roadblock GPS didn’t know about.
7. How will you measure success?
To understand the impact of your video wall strategy, you need to define what success looks like from the start. Are you aiming to increase foot traffic, boost sales, enhance viewer engagement, or something else?
When you’ve defined success, you also need to know how you’re going to prove that success. Establish clear metrics early on to track these goals, whether through analytics, customer feedback, or sales data. By setting measurable objectives, you can continually assess the effectiveness of your video wall and make adjustments as needed, ensuring long-term success and maximizing your investment. And when you keep the right stakeholders involved and collaborate with your technology partner, you can increase your chances that you’re not going to miss any of the critical metrics you need.
It’s So Much More Than “Just Signage”, Isn’t It?
Saying it’s just signage is like saying a Ferrari is just a car. Sure, it’s one of many displays we encounter in our day-to-day lives, but behind that screen, there’s a symphony of components working in harmony.
By the time someone sees that shiny message, a lot has already happened: the content's been created, pushed, measured, supported, and made dynamic. Oh, and of course it’s been monetized.
This isn’t just about hanging a display, streaming some content and calling it a day. It’s a complex, high-stakes operation designed to ensure that every pixel on that screen is helping you achieve your goal. Miss a step, skip a box, and suddenly your grand investment is costing you money instead of generating it.
To get real value out of your video wall digital signage, you need a solid plan that covers all the bases—because, at the end of the day, it’s about putting the screen and content to work for you.
Joe Mahurin brings over 25 years’ experience to Diversified as a business and technology sales leader. He specializes in helping clients solve complex problems with outcome-based solutions. In his role as Vice President of Digital Experience, Managed Service Sales and Product Solutions Group, he leads these global teams responsible for helping clients achieve their goals through consultative and strategic engagements. Throughout his career, he’s been recognized for developing high-performance teams and building specialized programs supporting the growth of company-client relationships. Joe is also a strong supporter of initiatives within Diversified and in the community promoting culture, education and partnerships playing a pivotal role in the development of his people and teams.
About Diversified
Diversified is a global leader in audiovisual and media innovation, recognized for designing and building the world’s most experiential environments. Our Emmy Award-winning team specializes in delivering solutions for the most complex, large-scale and immersive installations. Serving a global clientele that includes major media organizations and retailers, sports and live performance venues, corporate enterprises, and government agencies, Diversified partners with clients to create spaces that bring people together, and keep them coming back.
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