Where to Place Digital Signage in Colleges
Digital signage is one of the most effective tools for campus communication. Therefore, it’s no surprise that 70% of colleges have adopted the use of digital signs. From wayfinding signs and digital notice boards to digital menu boards in the campus cafeteria, different options make up college digital signage. Effective communication enhances the learning and overall campus experience for students. It improves collaboration among faculty members, providing an environment where everyone thrives.
Too often, the emphasis is on what you put on college digital signage. However, it’s important to remember that where you put these signs is just as important. Location is a critical consideration when deploying digital signage solutions, as it will influence not only your signs’ visibility but also the level of engagement you can achieve for effective communication. In other words, proper placement of digital signs throughout the campus will ensure you get value for the money you invest in the signage.
Benefits of Digital Signage in Colleges
By allowing colleges to get information to those who need it, where they need it, and when they need it, digital signs provide many benefits. Digital signage solutions are also easy to manage, customizable, and scalable. Here is a rundown of the top five advantages of deploying digital signage on campus.
Enhanced Campus Communication
Information on digital signs isn’t only easily accessible but also visually appealing in that it attracts the attention of the target audience. While students and faculty members alike may miss that email communication, you can be sure they will see the digital sign and get the message, especially if you are strategic with the sign placement.
Increased Engagement
Elements such as animations, videos, QR codes, and more add to the essence of interactive digital signage. These elements will make the target audience more eager to interact with your content, further reinforcing the message in the signs.
Enhanced Wayfinding
Digital signs can help students, staffers, and visitors to easily find their way around campus. Building directories and interactive maps can take the hassle out of campus navigation, helping to create a great experience even for that person who is visiting the campus for the first time.
Events Showcasing and Promotion
Events and activities are an important part of the campus experience and help to build a sense of community. Up to 80% of students agree that participation in extra-curricular activities enhanced their college experience. You can leverage college digital signage to advertise upcoming events and highlight event details to generate excitement and boost attendance.
Improved Safety and Security
Safety information, emergency alerts, and protocols displayed on the digital signs can help enhance the level of safety and security on campus. In the event of an emergency, everyone will be safer, as they will know what to do and where to go.
Factors to Consider for Placement
Student hubs, administrative buildings, and outdoor spaces are top on the list when considering where to place college digital signage. Of course, you will need to consider a few factors when narrowing down the placement location and the type of sign to place in a particular location. The top three among these factors are as outlined.
Contextual Relevance
The content of the sign will determine where to place it. For example, the hallways are a great place to place a digital sign with educational resources and campus event updates. On the other hand, signs with updates for the faculty members belong in the admin buildings and would definitely be out of place in areas such as the student hostels. Similarly, you will want to place wayfinding signs at entrances and decision points, such as the intersection of corridors and elevators.
Foot Traffic
Find high-traffic areas if you would like your signs to have maximum impact. Walk around campus and find out where the students spend most of their time, such as the student hub. High traffic is an important consideration for point-of-transit and point-of-wait viewing patterns.
Visibility
Some architectural elements, including pillars, can be obstructive. Factor in these elements and how they may affect the visibility of your signs when choosing where to place your college signs. You should also consider a location that doesn’t have visuals that will be competing with the sign for the audience’s attention,
Best Practices for Placement
Now that you have narrowed down the locations for your signs pay attention to the following top placement best practices.
Pay Attention to Viewing Height and Angles
Mount your digital signs at a height and angle that allows for easy viewing and interaction. Consider the average height of the students, and aim to mount the displays at eye height. Also, factor in ADA compliance when selecting the mount height. Similarly, angling down your digital displays will encourage longer interaction times.
Avoid Clutter
It’s best to place your signs in a location where they will not be competing with other visuals for the audience’s attention. For example, you may want to steer away from the gallery wall. Keep in mind that the average human attention span is 8.25 seconds.
Integration with Existing Architecture
The existing architecture may not always be an obstruction. You can use elements in your architecture, such as receding walls, to integrate your digital signage seamlessly. Your digital signs will not prominently stick out, and you can make use of space that would otherwise be left to waste.
Seek Engagement Opportunities
Areas such as entrances and waiting areas are excellent for digital signage. People are more likely to stop and take time to interact with the content on your signs in these areas.
Case Studies: The Proven Success of Digital Signage
Eastern Kentucky University is one of the colleges that has partnered with Mvix to deploy an effective digital signage strategy. Mvix was able to deliver on the university’s need for a platform that continues to boost participation in school events and activities and drive campus engagement.
The digital signage solution has also greatly modernized the university’s buildings. Mvix provided the software for displaying school announcements, building directories, and event listings for the institution’s six health sciences buildings.
As the provider of premier digital signage solutions digital signage solutions for educational institutions, Mvix has worked with several other colleges. In addition to Eastern Kentucky University, other higher-learning institutions in our portfolio include:
- Olivet Nazarene University
- Western Michigan University
- Brandeis University
- Montgomery Community College.
Future Trends for Digital Signs in Colleges
Digital signage is an ever-evolving landscape. Digital signage trends that are poised to take over campus communication include the following.
Interactive Digital Signage
Interactivity will certainly get bigger, enhancing engagement and delivering a personalized experience. Students and faculty members will be able to enjoy a better experience by interacting with wayfinding signs and kiosks, news boards, and menu boards.
Personalized Content
Integration of technologies such as facial recognition will enhance the delivery of personalized content across college digital signage solutions. Hyper-personalization and delivering tailored content will enhance customer satisfaction and drive more students and faculty members to interact with the signs.
Integration with Mobile Devices
Walk around, and you will see almost all the students with their faces buried in their phones. Integration of digital signage in colleges with mobile phones will enhance interactivity and ensure everyone can enjoy a highly personalized experience.
Prioritize Strategic Placement
Location is everything for college digital signage. Consider factors such as contextual relevance and the surroundings when choosing where to place your digital signs. With our professional installation services, you can be sure of strategic and seamless deployments of your signs with the best on-site quality support.
