What Draws Attention…

By Alan C. Brawn CTS, ISF-C, DSCE, DSDE, DCME, DSNE, DSSP

As we all know, the purpose of any display is to be noticed and have the information shown be recalled. In a boardroom or classroom, this isn’t a problem… because the display is typically the focal point of the environment. However, outside the confines of a space dedicated to presentations it is another matter. In this case think about digital signage, and all the verticals that it serves.

With the proliferation of displays that invade our daily lives it is the “sameness” that runs the risk of causing viewers to take displays for granted… or even ignore them outright. One could argue that in some cases there are simply too many things competing for our attention. If every display is a flat panel (or occasionally a projected image) in a 16:9 aspect ratio, in order to stand out it becomes at matter of size, brightness, and color vibrance.  Even then, these sorts of displays tend to look the same. The solution as a colleague of mine points out is to “think outside of the rectangle”.

One approach to being noticed is to consider displays that break away from the constraints of the 16:9 mold. In a sense, atypical displays or aspect ratios may be seen as “magic”. If you see a magic trick, you become engrossed and can’t take your eyes off it. In wonderment you ask how did they do that? The answer is not forthcoming, only that it is magic… and so it could be with the following displays that will draw attention. Each one takes a differing approach but are using enough magic to be attention grabbing and memorable.

Let’s kick off our magic show with a very non-traditional take on a common display technology – HYPERVSN. A HYPERVSN display is based on direct view LED display technology, with a unique twist (pardon the pun), built as a fan with strips of LEDs mounted in the fan blades. The blades rotate at a high speed and produce extremely impressive 3D holographic visuals that appear to be floating in mid-air. You create and customize 3D content without any specific design skills using their HYPERVSN 3D Studio. You can also select ready-made 3D visuals from their content library and manage it using their HYPERVSN Pro Management Software. You can display 3D visuals up to 75cm in size with their Solo device or merge Solo devices into HYPERVSN Wall to display visuals of virtually any size. Having seen it at the various trade shows, suffice it to say that it draws a lot of attention.

The Epson LightScene is another showstopper.  It is a compact projector but with a significant difference both in form factor and intended applications… well beyond a conventional display. For those who have not seen it, it looks like a small spotlight fixture in every respect including the mount. It features laser 3 LCD technology with illumination and comes with a built-in media player and CMS software package. Remi Del Mar, Senior Product Manager at Epson notes that “LightScene is a unique form of accent lighting technology that is designed to create digital experiences through signage, as well as deliver experiential and contextual information. In addition, with LightScene’s unique form-factor, users can transform a space instantly, then get their wall space and décor back, when the projector is not in use.” She goes on to point out a few practical applications, include experiential wayfinding or product demonstrations and activations such as spotlighting certain aspects, or calling out certain features of a product in a dynamic way. Users can also optimize empty spaces like glass and table-tops, or narrow hallways to provide contextual information. Magic? You bet.

 Although not a product specific to one manufacturer, projection mapping certainly fits the label of display magic. Projection mapping is a projection technology typically used to turn irregularly shaped objects into a display surface for video projection. These objects may be complex industrial landscapes, such as buildings, small indoor objects or theatrical stages. By using specialized software, a two- or three-dimensional object is spatially mapped pixel by pixel on the virtual program which mimics the real environment it is to be projected on. As a projection expert friend notes, “Projection mapping is used by artists and advertisers alike who can add extra dimensions, optical illusions, and notions of movement onto previously static objects. The video is commonly combined with, or triggered by, audio to create an audio-visual narrative.” All the big screen projection manufacturers have their own version so there is plenty to pick from. What I can say for certain is that once you have seen it done well, you will never forget it!

I would be remiss if I did not mention edge blending of projectors. In its basic form, edge blending occurs when you overlap (about 20%) the edges of two projectors in a multiscreen setup. Simply put, you have two or more projectors lined up next to each other creating one solid and seamless image. This can become the definition of thinking outside of the rectangle. Imagine a huge stage with a seamless image from stage right to stage left. Imagine short throw projectors on a long wall for an architectural effect. The good news here is that all the high-volume projection providers have units with edge blending built in and even short throw models where the application fits.

I will leave the realm of projection now and turn to the new 55” transparent OLED displays by LG.  Transparent OLED signage illuminates’ spaces that once were hidden away behind the display. Transparent OLED technology features self-lighting pixels and maintains accurate and vivid colors even when the display becomes transparent. While clearly showing objects behind the screen, transparent OLED signage overlays information right over them so that viewers can easily see both the object and the relevant information without having to change their view. Once again, this rates highly on the magic index.

There are other atypical display applications like the use of traditional displays matrixed in unusual aspect ratios or in a mosaic. Direct view LED can provide seamless displays and do so in a unique format (even 3D) , unlimited sizes, and resolutions that suit the application. The point is to look for displays that cannot be ignored, that are not the same old same old. A quote from Maya Angelou says it all. “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” When looking at a display ask yourself, how does that make me feel? Let the emotion sink in and trust me you will remember it.