LED video walls are a dynamic and highly visible medium that are perfect for multiple purposes. They are increasingly used at live events such as concerts and sporting events to provide a better visual experience, and keep the audience engaged and informed of any changes or incidents.
Video walls are also now widely used in the advertising industry, as they offer scale, flexibility, vibrancy of colour and clarity of image. They are also used in cultural venues to engage and inform audiences, and also for digital artwork displays.
Creating effective content for LED walls requires a slightly different approach to other forms of graphic or video content design. The scale and impact of the medium requires strong content to make the installation successful and offer the best possible return on investment.
Here’re some guidelines for using LED video walls
Resolution and pixel pitch
One of the most important factors to consider when designing for a video wall is the resolution of the images. This will depend on the type of images you want to display, whether there needs to be a lot of text, how far or near the viewing distance will be, and the overall crispness and clarity of the images.
The pixel pitch refers to the distance between each LED cluster. The lower the pixel pitch, the closer the pixels are together, and this will result in a clearer and sharper image. This means that high resolution images are needed to display without pixelation.
Fuzzy and distorted images detract from the impact of the video wall, and give an unprofessional and amateurish impression of the brand. It is particularly important to get the resolution right when displaying text, otherwise it will be difficult to read. However, it is not always necessary to have a low pixel pitch and use high resolution images.
For example, if the video wall will be viewed from a distance of 20 metres or more, the clarity of the image is less crucial because the fine details are not going to be noticeable, and large and bold works best. If the content contains very little text and mostly abstract images, then it will withstand a higher pixel pitch and lower resolution.
Brightness and contrast
LEDs offer high quality colour and contrast performance with high brightness levels. This makes it possible to create vibrant and eye-catching images with strong colour schemes. Make use of contrast to allow images to really stand out.
This is a big and bold medium, and subtle and spare images with light colour palettes will not draw attention and be unmemorable. It is not the time for quiet understatement; the deep intense colours of LED screens should be taken advantage of to really make your content pop.
Motion graphics
Movement grabs the attention of passersby in a busy world where static images are not always given a second glance. LED walls are ideal for displaying motion graphics, whether it’s a small micro animation or a short video.
Consider the pace and timing of the movements; rapid repetitive movement can irritate and repel viewers, whereas smoother slower movements will be easier to view for longer periods of time. Ensure that the frame rate matches the refresh rate to prevent flickering or a jerky transition that will have a jarring effect on the audience.
Clear and direct messaging
The LED wall is a large format that works best with clear and concise messaging. Bear in mind the environment in which it will be displayed. For example, if it is intended for a busy shopping centre or transport hub, then dense and cluttered designs will lose impact because they are too overwhelming to be understood in one glance.
Use large font sizes with unfussy typefaces if you need to include text. Keep the language plain and simple, and restrict headlines to five words or fewer.
Test on a smaller scale
Test out your design on a smaller scale LED screen or software simulation to see how the colours, contrast, layout and messaging work together. This will allow you to make tweaks or changes before committing to the final design. Ask for feedback from team members and consumers who fit into your target demographic.
