Digital Signage Content Creation Guidelines

Overview

Create content that will effectively communicate your message on the digital signage. What might work as a poster might not work for a message that appears briefly on a sign.

Keep the word count on a single message slide to under 20 words. If you can’t say what you need to say in that amount of words, consider creating a series of slides (a Powerpoint slideshow) and submitting your message as multiple slides saved as a presentation.

Use basic design principles when creating your message:

  • Use as few words as possible.
  • Light lettering against a dark background reads better than dark lettering against a light background.
  • Sans serif fonts read better than serif fonts.

Tell the viewer:

  • What you want them to know
  • When they can attend/act on information
  • Where the event is (if applicable)
  • Who or what is the contact person or sponsoring office

For example:

Flu Shots Available
Tuesday, November 1 through Thursday November 3
10 AM to 5 PM
Lakeside Cantina
Sponsored by the People Center

Design Specifics

Applications: You can create content in a variety of desktop applications, (Photoshop, inDesign, etc.) or for simple text and image messages, use PowerPoint. Static content not created in a PowerPoint template should be submitted as JPEG file.  PDFs will not display on digital signage and must be converted to JPEG.

Typeface: Arial Black

Type sizes for creating content in PowerPoint:

  • Headlines: 40 points
  • Body Copy: 32 points
  • URL/Call to Action: 28 points

Size and Resolution: All content that is running on digital signage system should be created at 1920 pixels wide by 1080 pixels high and a resolution of 72ppi (pixels per square inch). If using PowerPoint, be sure your slide design will fit.

Orientation

The content windows in the signage system are mainly Full Screen (1920x1080). In Transportation Hubs, the screens display an interactive campus map that shows the shuttle bus location and then a rotating ad slot that measures 875 pixels wide by 750 pixels high. If you have created a message that is formatted for  an 11x17 poster or an 8.5x11 poster, please re-create that content to fit the 1920x1080 size.  If we determine that the ad should run on Transportation Hubs, we will decrease the image size to fit.

Using Images in Content/Messages

For maximum clarity, ensure that images are at least 72dpi when viewed at 100 percent. Using low-resolution images will resort in pixilation, distortion and a low-quality effect when viewed on digital signage. Images used for designs that do not meet the minimum quality standard will not be accepted.

Playlists

A playlist is a collection of content that is scheduled in the Digital Signage System. All messages submitted by campus users will be played on the “General Ads Playlist” which plays on main campus signage and at Lakeside. Content for specific audiences such as Employees or Campus Visitors runs on separate playlists managed by Marketing.

Message/Content Naming Convention

Messages submitted to the digital signage system should be named by the following convention: EXPIRATION DATE.DEPARTMENT.MESSAGE NAME

For example:

EXP1211.SustainChamplain.Recycle Kitten

Ready to Submit?

You can submit a message by using our webform or by emailing your message to digitalsignage@champlain.edu