LED digital signs are currently experiencing an explosion in both innovation and growth. It’s been estimated that by the end of 2025, the market size will be almost $31.7 billion-dollars. This rapid expansion is fueled by retail, medical, and government organizations taking advantage of the vast array of benefits that digital offers over traditional signage options.
Digital signs have a distinct advantage over traditional billboards in that they can offer a much richer user experience, and this directly translates into a higher customer engagement.
With each passing year, we’ll see more and more futuristic technologies being applied to digital signs such as haptic feedback, bendable 8K displays (such as the ones that Samsung are currently developing), and even signs that are responsive to the local environment.
Here are the Upcoming Trends In Digital Signage that you can expect to see in the near future:
Increased Interactivity
One of the main advantages that digital signs offer is the vast potential for user interactivity. Whereas a traditional billboard or sign is static and does nothing more than display a static advertising message, modern technology has enabled digital signs to provide a rich level of user interactivity.
3D Touch screens, voice/facial recognition, GPS, and compatibility/interactivity with IoT devices and cell phones are all features that are currently being tested in certain markets.
Upcoming Trends In Digital Signage – Blending into the Environment
The success or failure of a digital sign can be directly attributed to how well it blends into the environment it’s being displayed. Is it an eyesore that looks out of place? Or does it seamlessly and organically look like it should be there?
Thinner, sleeker, and better-looking sign designs are being used to seamlessly blend in with the local environment. Bendable 8k displays will enable advertisers to wrap and bend the screens so they can be mounted almost anywhere.
Responsive Content
Responsive content now allows manufacturers to create digital signs that can automatically change their content based on a set of predetermined criteria such as:
Traffic – If the traffic is terrible the sign can display alternative routes)
Weather – The sign can reveal the location of the nearest ice cream or soft drink vendor if the temperature rises to a predetermined point. It can also show ads for products or services based upon the temperature or local forecast.
Time – Screens can display targeted information that ties in with the time of day, such as morning rush hour, or afternoon lunch time.
A More Personalized Experience
People tend to ignore signage that isn’t relevant to them. Advances in IoT technologies over the past few years have allowed advertisers to create a more personalized experience for each individual.
By personalizing the ad, it helps improve customer engagement which enables consumers to have a more relevant and meaningful experience.
Such new technologies as facial recognition are currently being tested in specific markets. It can instantly capture demographic information about those who view or interact with the sign and then display ads that are relevant to that group.
3D Way-finding Solutions
Traditional way-finding signs are bland, passé, and rarely used by people because they’re oftentimes challenging to read and decipher.
3D mapping tools will allow the user to zoom, rotate, and pinch the interactive 3D screen to quickly understand where they are and what route they need to take to get to where they need to go.
Several industries are currently experimenting with 3D signs:
• Cruise ships
• Casinos
• Trade Shows
• Large Offices
• Malls
Better Security
As digital signs grow increasingly complex and can interconnect with the outside world via the IoT, the risk of digital hackers becomes very real. Whether it’s for bragging rights, digital graffiti, or more sinister reasons, hackers will find digital signs a very appealing target.
A hacked sign can cause significant damage to the brand and reputation of a company. This is why specialized software and hardware are being currently being tested and developed to thwart digital hackers.
The Blend of Digital and Physical
As time goes by, the line between physical and digital will be blurred. Digital signs will become an integral part of the user experience and even interact with smartphones and tablets.
For example, geofencing and beacon technology will give a person who enters a predetermined physical area the option to download an app that will allow them to interact with the local digital environment. Trade shows are just one of the many industries that can benefit from the increased user engagement that this new technology provides.
What Does the Future Hold?
With digital sign technology expanding at a rapid pace, it’s hard to say what the future will hold. Many sign manufacturers and advertisers are experimenting with augmented and virtual reality that will allow for an encompassing user experience.
If you’re looking to get more from your digital signage, give us a call at (888) 315-7446 or reach out to us via email. At Mega Signs, we specialize in manufacturing and selling of visually stunning LED displays. Give us a call today to learn more how we can make you and your message stand out in a sea of advertising.
