Video displays are everywhere. Your television, computer, and smartphone are just the beginning. Pay attention, and you’ll spot out-of-home video on gas pumps, at airports, in stores…basically anywhere human eyes might land. That means you have almost endless opportunities to put your message in front of viewers.
In our work as video creators and animators, we’re hearing from more clients who want videos suitable for unconventional display. But video display trends shift rapidly. Unless you keep up, your video–and your message–could be left behind.
How Popular is Out-of-Home Video?
Business and property owners see video displays as an opportunity to sell more ads, reach more customers, or improve the overall visitor experience. Meanwhile, market factors are making video displays more affordable and more common.
The global display market size was valued at more than $157.8 billion USD in 2023. In the next five years, that number could top $187 billion. In-vehicle displays and healthcare uses account for a portion of that, but video walls and digital signage drive most of this growth.
Factors influencing video display trends
Most video displays outside the home are used for marketing, but some are purely for information or entertainment. Museums, public buildings, and even schools use video displays to connect with visitors. A few key factors make video displays a useful tool.
First, the marketing space is crowded. Video can help capture viewer attention. It also allows a single space to share several messages depending on time of day, who’s watching, and other criteria. A single video screen can do the work of ten billboards.
Second, pixel sizes are shrinking. That means displays can be bigger without pixelation and smaller without loss of detail. Overall, there are more opportunities to share high-quality videos. Thanks to ever-evolving technology, LED screens can be thinner and larger than ever.
Third, LED screens are becoming less expensive. They offer better color consistency and easier maintenance than LCD or projection. At the same time, the technology has become more durable. That means they can be installed in more places with better results.
In 2023, Daktronics installed the largest outdoor end zone display in professional football. The curved display is 60 feet tall and 370 feet wide. That’s roughly the size of a five-story building.
All of this technological development is blinding. Already 8K resolution is replacing 4K. Soon the inorganic light emitting diode might make its way into everything from wall displays to home televisions.
What are the video display trends for 2024?
The latest video display trends are immersive, unique, and often interactive. These five trends are impacting the video display market in 2024 and beyond.
1. Shaped displays
Common aspect ratios no longer constrain video displays. As foldable and wrappable displays become more accessible, the only limit to your video display shape will be your imagination and budget. For example, when we created videos for the jumbotron at Madison Square Garden, we included an accompanying animation that completely circled the area on a ring mounted on the edge of the balcony.
2. Immersive displays
Video walls have become a common sight in many public places. Now, video displays are spreading to floors and ceilings for a completely immersive experience. They’re being used for everything from advertising to immersive art installations. The video below shows the music and entertainment arena known as the Sphere in Las Vegas.
3. Interactive displays
Instead of simply playing videos on a loop all day, interactive displays are responding to viewers. A hotel might have a video that plays when a new guest walks through the door. Geofencing can even customize the video to the user so every person who walks by gets a targeted experience. With touch screen technology, viewers can interact directly with the content.
4. Responsive digital signage
Signs that can change based on the weather, foot traffic and other outside factors are a game changer for retailers. GIFs, short videos, and animations capture attention and help convey important information on digital signage.
In short, video displays have become a standard part of the business toolkit. Digital signage pops up everywhere from the retail space to the conference floor. Massive, immersive video displays have even made their way to the keynote stage.
These trendy displays can be eye-catching and expensive. A simple digital poster for a conference booth can cost thousands of dollars. You’ll only get a positive return on that investment if your display shares quality content.
Planning Videos for Trendy Displays
Marketers and video creators should plan videos based on where they will be displayed. What looks great on a mobile phone might lose something in translation when moved to a large, shaped screen. To design your video with the display platform in mind, consider:
- Size. Investigate basic video specs like display size, dimensions and resolution. All three can affect your final product.
- Shape. Work with unusual shapes, folds or seams to enhance the experience. The best videos use all of the available space. They look like they were built to fit this unique setting. See this in action on the ABC Supersign below.
- Surroundings. Some displays stand alone. Others are part of a more complex installation. Think through whether the display might get blocked by people, vehicles, or objects.
- Level of Attention. Noise, crowds and other distractions can pull viewer attention. Envision how viewers will experience your display: will it be an interruption, entertainment, or part of the scenery?
The best time to think about display options is during the early video planning phases. Let your video production company know if you’re planning a trendy display so they can design accordingly. The display environment might impact design, story, color scheme, audio and other elements of your video.
Finally, remember that the trendiest option isn’t always the best choice for your brand. What matters is your message. Make sure you’re delivering it in ways your customers can get excited about. For help creating a video for any display platform, contact the video experts at IdeaRocket.
