Digital Signage: Create Content with Good Visibility

Communications at a Glance

• Your viewers grab a glimpse of content at a time, then walk away.
• Keep your words few and short; rewrite a few times to get it progressively more concise.
• Write in phrases rather than full sentences.
• Use active voice and action verbs.

Text should be easily visible at a reasonable distance from the sign:

• Always ensure that text colors have high contrast with the background color. Use a Color Contrast Analyzer to check the contrast.
• Avoid dark backgrounds with neon colors and white characters.
• Avoid ALL CAPS text; use Title Case or sentence case instead. This improves readability.
• Keep your font sizes large, especially for your main messages.
  • To test size, create a test screen with lines of different font sizes and have people view the screen at the farthest practical distance.
  • The exception to this would be for screens meant for interaction, where the user is standing directly in front of the screen. Keep in mind viewers with low vision who have difficulty with small text.
• Digital signs are the wrong medium for paragraphs of text. Keep your content as short as possible.

Recommended fonts:

• Freight Text for large headings and titles
• Helvetica or Proxima Nova for all other text

Other font options:

• Georgia for large headings and titles
• Gotham for all other text

Interactive signs should have alternative accessible designs

• Interactive elements (e.g., buttons, swiping, touch screens) must be placed between 36 and 42 inches when measured from the floor.
• Provide a monitor with a keyboard and mouse for those who need alternative access.
• Consider accessibility when designing any wayfinding content (such as maps directing people to stairs and accessible entrances).