It’s finally complete. Your customer’s new digital signage solution is active, promoting hot deals and health procedures. But something’s wrong! As people stroll by the new display, their heads are down, mesmerized by their smart phones.

What’s going on? Digital signage is a common sight, and it’s becoming harder and harder for it to stand out.

Luckily, recent advances in digital signage technologies are driving exciting new user experiences. In fact, enhanced projection technologies are being integrated with digital signage for a truly robust and eye-catching experiential design.

Evolution in projection enable digital signage designers to now install projectors in more discreet locations, project onto innovative surfaces and environments, and capture the viewer’s imagination without the traditional limitations of walls. Enhancements in these technologies have removed some of the past resistance to projection, opening new opportunities for unique and creative installations.  

“When we couple new technologies with changes in human behavior, the expectation for more creativity becomes apparent,” said Patrick May, Digital Signage Solutions Specialist at Legrand | AV. “For example, when I consider my own behaviors, I know that I am frequently looking down at my phone when I’m in an airport or walking somewhere. Creative mounts like Chief’s VPAU allow for 180 degrees of installation flexibility, so customers can easily get their messages into my peripheral vision and capture my attention.”

The Projection Advantage

Have you ever considered putting projection onto a glass surface? It’s a fascinating way to captivate the viewer’s imagination and brings the in-store experience to the curb. Customers can absorb your messaging, and there’s no need to disturb the overall aesthetic of the storefront.  Additionally, creating washes of color on otherwise static surfaces gives new dimension to space and can create warmth on cold surfaces.  

In decades past, projection has illuminated surfaces at about 600-700 lumens, which was visible, but a bit dim. Modern projection systems illuminate at about 2600 lumens, making these washes bright and vibrant regardless of where they are being projected.

Displaying on glass is just one-way projection can lead to creative solutions. With traditional signage installations, your messaging and impact is limited only to the physical display installation.

Projection opens the possibilities of using projection mapping technologies to bring your architecture alive, using space that would otherwise be wasted. 

These days, customers almost expect a thrilling new experience each time they visit. You can provide it with new methods of projection; in fact, the ease of reconfigurability creates an almost immeasurable benefit.  Changes to the software, mapping and messaging don’t require installing new equipment, reinforcing walls or physically reconfiguring your space. This can speed up transitions and allow for more options. These benefits will reduce the total cost of ownership throughout the lifecycle, while allowing for greater flexibility.  

Eye-Catching Borders

All of these technologies and benefits are true of projection in more traditional installations as well.  With Da-Lite’s FullVision screens, you can create a truly borderless experience without the physical limitations for reinforcement that an LED wall may require.  The lighter weight also allows for more flexibility to hang the screens and can be customized to the perfect size for the desired installation.

Da-Lite's Fullvision Technology eschews borders to deliver a truly eye-catching experience.

This projection-based approach can lead to eye-catching digital signage at a fraction of LED’s cost.

“We’re so used to seeing displays hanging on walls, it has a tendency to become background noise, borderless solutions tend to be impactful and eye-catching. This creates a better experience for the user,” May said.

Minimal Maintenance

Maintenance, as well, has been completely addressed.  Remote, IP-based controls for projectors in digital signage allow for predictive alerts all the way through to changes in content and mapping.  Newer LED and laser-based projectors do not require maintenance to change out bulbs and clean filters every few months of continuous use, allowing you to place projectors in areas you don’t have to constantly access.

Both positioning and a borderless screen can contribute to vibrant projection-based solutions that enhance dwell time, make health protocols clear, and convey brand messaging. If you have questions about digital signage, be sure to click here for more resources. Our team of experts are well-versed in both projection and video walls and can help determine the right course of action for any project.