Adapt Social Media and Other Non-Standard Content for Digital Signage Displays

Adapt Social Media and Other Non-Standard Content for Digital Signage Displays

Creating engaging content for digital signage can sometimes mean working with graphics or videos designed for different platforms and screen sizes, such as Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook. Instead of starting from scratch, you can adapt your existing content to fit the dimensions of your digital signage screens. 
This guide provides tips for repurposing non-standard content for digital signage, ensuring it looks professional and visually appealing.

Why Adapt Content for Digital Signage?

Digital signage screens typically require specific resolutions, such as:
  1. Full HD (1920x1080)
  2. 4K (3840x2160)
  3. Custom resolutions for LED or stretched displays (e.g., 16000x768 for LED ribbons).
Graphics created for other platforms (e.g., Instagram posts at 1080x1080 or TikTok videos at 1080x1920) often don’t match these dimensions. Adapting them helps ensure your content displays correctly without distortion or black bars.

Steps to Adapt Non-Standard Content for Digital Signage

1. Determine the Target Screen Resolution
Before adapting content, confirm the resolution of your digital signage screen. Common examples include:
  1. Landscape Displays: 1920x1080 (horizontal Full HD) or 3840x2160 (4K).
  2. Portrait Screens: 1080x1920 (vertical Full HD).
  3. LED Displays: Custom resolutions like 16000x768.
Knowing the target size ensures your design fits perfectly.
2. Create a Background Canvas at the Target Resolution
Open your design tool (e.g., Adobe Photoshop, Canva, or Figma) and create a new project at the target screen resolution. This will serve as the foundation for your adapted content.
Notes
  1. Use a color palette that matches your brand or the original graphic.
  2. Incorporate gradients, patterns, or textures to fill blank space while keeping the focus on the main content.
  3. Leave margins for text overlays or other design elements, if needed.
3. Embed and Position the Original Content
Import the original graphic or video into the new canvas. Depending on the aspect ratio, you may need to center it or align it creatively within the available space.

Placement Ideas:

  1. Square Content (e.g., Instagram posts):
    - Center the content with decorative sidebars or a background that complements the graphic.
  2. Portrait Content (e.g., TikTok videos):
    - Center the content vertically and horizontally, filling blank areas with branding or additional design elements.
  3. Landscape Content (e.g., Facebook cover images):
    - Place the graphic within the canvas and extend the background or add branding to fill the unused space.
4. Enhance for Digital Signage
Take advantage of the larger screen and viewing distance by optimizing the content:
  1. Readable Text: Ensure all text is large enough to be legible from a distance. Avoid clutter.
  2. Call-to-Action (Optional): Add a short, bold call-to-action (e.g., "Visit Our Website" or "Follow Us").
  3. Animation (Optional): Subtle animations like fade-ins, scrolling text, or moving elements can make static graphics more engaging.
5. Test for Clarity and Quality
Preview the final design at full size to ensure it displays correctly and looks sharp. Check for any distortion, pixelation, or unreadable elements.

Tools to Simplify Adaptation

  1. Adobe Photoshop or InDesign: Use artboards or templates to adapt content for different screen sizes.
  2. Canva: Set custom dimensions for digital signage and create reusable templates.
  3. Figma: Use responsive design tools like constraints to resize content dynamically.
  4. After Effects: Add animations or subtle motion to still images for added engagement.

Tips for a Streamlined Workflow

1. Create Reusable Templates:
  1. Design templates at common screen resolutions (e.g., 1920x1080, 1080x1920) with placeholders for imported content.
  2. Include branding elements like logos, taglines, or call-to-actions that you can reuse.
2. Organize Assets:
  1. Keep a library of backgrounds, logos, and design elements for quick access.
3. Use Automation Tools (Optional):
  1. Batch resizing tools like Photoshop’s actions or Canva Pro’s resizing feature can save time.
4. Plan for Multiple Screens:
  1.  If you're designing for a network of displays with varying resolutions, prioritize the most common size and create secondary versions as needed.

FAQs

Can I use non-standard content directly on digital signage screens?
You can, but it may not display properly. Non-standard resolutions may cause stretching, black bars, or cropping. Adapting the content ensures it looks professional.
What if my screen resolution is unusual, like an LED ribbon?
Design content specifically for the custom resolution or adapt your existing graphics by resizing and adding complementary background elements to fit the unusual dimensions.
Should I add animations or keep the content static?
Animations can make your signage more engaging, but static content works well too. Choose animations sparingly to avoid overwhelming viewers.
By following these guidelines, you can efficiently adapt content designed for other platforms to fit any digital signage screen, ensuring a polished and professional appearance. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact our support team!