Overview

How to get your message or advertisement on to the Digital Signs around Campus

Currently the Digital Sign Network consist of nearly 400 signs in various schools, colleges and administrative units across campus and in remote sites. While there is only one application/network tying them together which allows for services like "Emergency Messaging", the administration of individual signs is distributed and managed at the local level. Each unit may have their own protocols for what ultimately is displayed on the signs within their domain.

Best Practices

 One should design as if they are preparing a message for a "Billboard." 

Characteristics of a Billboard include:

• An eye catching graphic and/or color scheme

• A "concise" easily visible message intended for the passerby to retain

• Date, Time and Location for an event or

• Where inquiries may be made for more detail

There is no singular standard, your message may be displayed in a wide variety of sizes, locations, reading distances, and even the amount of time on the screen may vary from sign to sign. Most sign locations are in relatively high traffic areas, so readers are typically in motion. Messages need to be legible, short, and easily understood to be effective. As mentioned previously, administration and protocols controlling content on signs is managed locally by department so you may have little control over whether, where, and when your message is displayed.

Formatting

The vast majority of signs in the network use a 4x3 or 16x9 standard jpg image or a PowerPoint Slide shown in a particular "region" of the sign. This region may take up 1/3 to 1/2 or more of the available real estate of a sign for content that changes fairly regularly. As digital signage changes, larger displays and orientations are becoming more popular. As a result, some signs are now using a 9x16 portrait orientation. They may be few, but they are located in some of the most heavily student trafficked locations.

At minimum for each message, you wish to have displayed you should provide .JPG images in three aspect formats as follows:

• 4x3 (1440x1080x150ppi)

• 16x9 (1920x1080x150ppi)  

• 9x16 (1080x1920x150ppi)

Distribution

The distribution of your message will be handled as follows.

• To have your content distributed simply send an email with attachments to Eric Ferguson and/or Roger Merrill, they will announce the availability to the listserve of Digital Sign Admins and area Communications Managers. Please include:

  The three files in the following format: “expiration date_event title_size”  for example “2025_03_31_your_event_1440x1080.jpg”

  Title/File name: "expiration date_event title" 

  Start Date: ASAP (This date will allow Eric or I to batch drop the files/messages as close to the start date as possible.)

  Contact: (Someone that the Sign Admins may contact with any questions)

   

  • Please Note: Digital Sign admins and area Communications managers are under no obligation to display your content. Some displays have unique or singular purposes. We do however encourage everyone to participate especially when the messaging is to the benefit of our students.

  • Sign Administrators, automate playing all SU Content by following the instructions here Consuming SU Content - Digital Signage Network SU - Answers 

• You may want to consider joining the Digital Signage listserve. The listserve is used to distribute notifications about available content for members signs and occasionally updates about the application itself or requests for assistance with issues.

  • There is also a shared folder where images and PowerPoint slides are deposited for admins and content managers to "pick up" for display on signs.

I need a Digital Sign

If you are serious about having your own digital sign hardware, please see this article: Digital Signage: Process, Get Started with Digital Signage. It lays out everything you need to do.