< Previous10 Kiosk and Digital Signage “The industry is working in silos to address this problem, but what we all need, to address climate change, is collaboration” UniLED has collaborated with OPEN Media, Electric Glue and Starling Bank to trial a new Digital Out of Home (DOOH) Screen Energy and Emissions Report. This is the first time that ‘in-use’ DOOH screen energy use and emissions have been recorded live, in-situ, and reported at a campaign level and by audience impact, for a brand and media agency. The DOOH Screen Energy and Emissions Reporting functionality is being developed in the UniLIVE platform by UniLED, in response to an urgent need by the media industry to accurately measure and reduce its environmental impact. Its aim is to provide a singular, agreed methodology to capture a more efficient and accurate picture of the energy usage of a DOOH campaign. This will assist vendors in identifying the most significant drivers of screen energy consumption and help make more targeted reductions. To make this effective industry-wide, UniLED has issued a ‘call to action’ for more media owners and vendors to agree to share energy consumption data. DOOH screens are one of the largest, most visible and most trusted media formats on the market with a long legacy of innovation, funding and action to improve their environmental impact. However, as a result of inaccurate media energy emissions reporting, or media carbon calculators relying on estimations and incomparable methodologies that can provide a distorted picture, they are often victims of inaccurate assumptions about their energy consumption Brands, media owners and agencies are continuously looking for ways, not only to reduce their carbon footprint but also to adhere to multiple industry and company ESG, Climate or Net Zero pledges and promises. Not forgetting the regulatory reporting needs of the C-Suite. What brands, media agencies and owners really need urgent help with is being able to measure and report more accurately by having access to factually correct information. This will help them identify and focus on the priority actions to significantly reduce their media energy emissions. Abigail Cunningham at UniLED Software said, “The industry is working in silos to address this problem, and making progress in isolation but what we all need, to address climate change, is collaboration and transformative action now.” UniLED is currently inviting agency partners, media owners and industry stakeholders to feedback on the first trial methodology. It is inviting collaboration to agree on consistent metrics and outputs and share learnings while continuing to develop the UniLIVE platform to efficiently process, analyse and verify the data. The next stage in the development of the Energy Reporting Platform is to ingest more of the available data and test campaign variables. This will help UniLED to produce learnings and guidelines with the aim of helping the DOOH industry make significant reductions in the emissions from ‘In Use’ DOOH screens, without reducing campaign quality and performance for advertisers. UniLED DOOH Energy and Emissions Report NEWSKiosk and Digital Signage 11 London’s newest playable neighbourhood, Wembley Park, launched a unique, interactive digital PlayDays event concept across several dates in August. The PlayDays: Creatures of Wembley Park event turned the North West London neighbourhood into an interactive video game console where children of all ages could use everyday objects to make the urban landscape playable. The event was curated by Walt, a new studio led by Iain Simons, founder and creative director of northern England’s acclaimed GameCity Interactive Entertainment Festival, and co-founder of the National Videogame Arcade in Nottingham, together with Wembley Park. Visitors were able to take control of custom joysticks, jumbo buttons, and even a programmable banana to play a series of short games on two 9m tall, 360° wraparound digital screens on Olympic Way, directly opposite the iconic Wembley Stadium. Visitors also had the opportunity to spot and collect digital ‘creatures’ by playing a series of short games. Players completed mazes to help the creatures find their friends, enjoy balance challenges, practise their speed-count skills, complete colour memory challenges and more. For the very youngest participants, there were creatures that just want to play, with players able to tickle them and make them jump around. Each game lasted 90 seconds. PlayDays builds on Wembley Park’s reputation as an open-air canvas for interactive and immersive art. Since 2018, the neighbourhood has hosted immersive seasonal installations and experiences and a series of fascinating digital artworks as part of its free public art trail. A new anti-vandalism screen enclosure for bus shelters, created by digital signage consultancy, Saturn Visual Solutions, has been shortlisted in the 2023 AV Awards in the category of ‘Support Technology of the Year’. Saturn Visual Solutions created a new design for D6 single and double- sided bus shelter screen enclosures which would improve their resilience and make maintenance easier, while keeping a sleek, modern look/feel. The new enclosures, which are designed to protect 85in high bright, roadside advertising screens, have proven to be highly effective in preventing screen damage, with a 100% success rate to date. The new design has also improved safety for installers/engineers by making screens much easier to access. Saturn’s CEO, Chris Welsh said, “This new enclosure design has the potential to save out-of-home digital media owners and their insurance companies hundreds of thousands of pounds every year. “Our custom screen enclosures design team not only developed and produced a product that really works, they did it in half the time of a standard enclosure design project, and with a minimal carbon footprint. “I’m thrilled that our team’s work is now being recognised around the world and we look forward to helping more DOOH companies use our enclosures to solve this common problem.” Anti-vandalism bus shelter screen enclosure named as finalist in 2023 AV Awards Giant digital screens become video games consoles at Wembley Park12 Kiosk and Digital Signage T he RICS Commercial Property Market Survey found in early 2022 that office space rentals were bouncing back following the pandemic. Despite some uncertainty over the last year, its most recent report in 2023 suggests there is optimism that the market is now stabilising once again. There is a renewed need for signage in workspaces, to help reduce business risk and create efficient environments that are conducive to work. Especially now, with new office spaces being rented and companies returning to private and shared spaces, after many were left empty across the UK. With these new work environments, comes the need for implementing and reviewing the space’s signage needs. Signs are an important tool for communicating information with employees, clients, customers and the public. They are not only essential from a legal or health and safety standpoint but, to create more efficient and pleasant experiences too. Creating more hygienic workspaces The need to reduce the spread of germs has been widely accepted by the public and hygiene related signage can support this awareness further. Maintaining a healthy workforce helps to keep employees in work, reduce sick days, and meets legal requirements. In general, healthier employees are more productive according to the CDC. Including signs that indicate expected best practice relating to hygiene (such as, handwashing reminders) can help prevent the spread of germs in the workplace. They can also help indicate how certain areas and materials should be cleaned, preventing confusion and maintaining a germ-free eanvironment. Preventing accidents and reducing workplace risk One of the most important reasons to take time implementing an appropriate signage strategy is to ensure a safe environment. Signs are crucial to help prevent accidents, from reducing the risk of slip and trip hazards, to important reminders on how to use equipment, and highlighting hazardous waste. 565,000 workers sustained a non-fatal injury at work, according to self-reports from the Labour Force Survey in 2021/22 and so the more that can be done to reduce this number, the better. Five reasons to invest in signage for a safe and efficient workspace Tom Armenante, director at cable tie company GTSE – https://gtse.co.uk/ 565,000 workers sustained a non-fatal injury at workKiosk and Digital Signage 1314 Kiosk and Digital Signage A risk assessment should mention signage throughout, as a preventative measure to mitigate risk. These assessments should be regularly reviewed and updated, including whenever changes are made to the working environment. Avoiding legal action and fines ‘Employers must provide safety signs if there is a significant risk that can’t be avoided or controlled in any other way, such as through safe systems of work or engineering controls.’ That’s according to HSE and the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996. Failing to erect and maintain the necessary signage could lead to legal action from employee or customer lawsuits, negatively impacting your business finances. Any legal action could also leave you with reputational issues, making sales more difficult, and even lead to challenges with supplier and talent retention. Professional environments and organised spaces Signposting where certain equipment is stored means that the responsibility to keep things tidy doesn’t fall on the shoulders of one or a few people. Everyone can take ownership for finding and replacing equipment. Whether that’s simply finding a mug for a coffee, new cables to connect a monitor or emergency cleaning supplies. Functional signage which makes a space more organised can leave a great first impression on visiting clients and customers. Hygiene related signage as mentioned above can be reassuring, signalling that your workspace can be trusted. No one wants to eat, work or sleep in a space that is perceived to be unclean. Better experience and more efficient working Even relatively small workplaces can be difficult to navigate for those who are unfamiliar with them, which is why signage can benefit spaces of all sizes. While a large warehouse, retail space or manufacturing business will likely need much more signage than a small office, what is clear is that the easier it is to navigate, the better. Not only will easy navigation reduce time wasted from asking questions and going to the wrong area of the workplace, it can also help ‘Employers must provide safety signs if there is a significant risk that can’t be avoided or controlled’Kiosk and Digital Signage 15 Not only will easy navigation reduce time wasted from asking questions and going to the wrong area of the workplace, it can also help reduce frustration and stress. reduce frustration and stress. A more efficient office is more productive and happier, making the implementation of clear and concise signage a positive business decision. In addition, you could also consider inspirational signs to reinforce your company values and provide motivation. Just don’t go overboard, as too many signs can become confusing. Perhaps consider digital signage which allows the message to be changed as needed. Taking time to review and implement a best practice signage strategy brings with it many business benefits. While it may seem like a simple solution, there are many considerations to take into account in the planning phase. Alongside balancing essential signage required for legal reasons against more helpful and inspirational signage, you should consider its placement and accessibility too. Thinking about who will be reading the signs and why, can help with decision making. Think about factors such as, how big it should be, where it is hung, font sizing and colours. You should also ensure signs are properly fitted with secure fastening such as cable ties. This will help with maintenance, making the review process easier.16 Kiosk and Digital Signage A s part of our B2B marketing and business development strategy, we surveyed more than 1000 people to try and understand how much signage actually impacts consumer behaviour and we were quite astonished by the results. They make for interesting reading, especially for customer- facing business. In these tough economic times it can be difficult to allocate a budget, but looking at these stats, can business owners afford to have substandard signage? Wayfinding matters Some 77% of respondents (that’s nearly four in five) have previously had trouble finding a business due to poor signage or no signage and more than 76% had previously visited a store or business due to attractive signage. Just over 75% reported having purchased something in the past because a sign caught their eye, and almost 85% of consumers indicated that they found themselves drawn to bright and colourful signage. For a customer- facing business owner, this is definitely a stat that should be factored into signage design strategies. Our poll showed that signs containing a lot of text were the least aesthetically appealing. Business owners should really view their signage as bait, bright vibrant signage is definitely more likely to land you a catch. In recent years we have definitely seen this trend reflected in the types of signs businesses are ordering. No longer are signs used just to Clare Jones, global outreach manager, Custom Neon Customneon.com Why you can’t afford to have substandard digital signage 72.20% of respondents believe that good signage is more important for a business than social media Kiosk and Digital Signage 17 highlight a business name or show they are open for business. Sign designs have changed to reflect the demand for people eager to create content for their socials. Cheeky sayings, and plays on words are what we are seeing more of and it’s actually a strategic marketing tactic by businesses. Not only are they drawing crowds attracted by their signage, they are also getting tags and shares on their socials, so, free advertising and brand awareness. Good signage reflects good quality Some 66% of respondents have had a poor opinion of a business because of its signage and nearly 79% of the consumers polled believe that signage reflects the quality of a business and the product or service offered. The fact that so many of the consumers polled believe that signage reflects the quality of a business or the products and services offered should be a real eye-opener for businesses. While in tough economic times owners may not want the expense of purchasing or updating existing signage, the financial losses resulting from poor signage can be far greater than the cost of a new sign. A one-off investment Surprisingly, 72.20% of respondents believe that good signage is more important for a business than social media or newspaper advertisements and just over 75% of people polled reported having purchased something in the past because a sign caught their eye – this is an awful lot of opportune sales. Unlike other forms of marketing, signage is a one-off investment. Once your signage is installed, there are no further costs. When you consider the longevity of quality signage, the number of people your signage will reach, from pedestrians to motorists, it’s an incredibly cost-effective marketing method. Some 66% of respondents have had a poor opinion of a business because of its signage18 Kiosk and Digital Signage T FT (Thin Film Transistor) displays, a common type of LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), have revolutionised the world of digital display technology with their high resolution, low power consumption and compact size. At the heart of this technology lies the intricate structure known as the ‘optical stack’, a combination of multiple layers, each with a specific function contributing to the overall performance of the display. Introduction to TFT displays TFT displays leverage the properties of liquid crystals sandwiched between two glass panels. Each pixel in a TFT display consists of a tiny thin-film transistor that controls the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, thus regulating the light’s passage through the pixel. Anatomy of the optical stack The optical stack is a critical part of the TFT display and is composed of several layers: Backlight: The bottommost layer of the optical stack is the backlight. It produces the light that will ultimately pass through the various layers to create the image seen by the viewer. The backlight commonly uses LEDs, offering high brightness, longevity and energy efficiency. Light guide plate: This layer guides the light from the LEDs evenly across the display. It uses a series of microscopic dots to direct the light towards the viewer. Diffuser: The diffuser ensures that the light is spread uniformly across the entire display, eliminating any hotspots or irregularities, and contributing to a consistent image quality. Prism sheets: These layers enhance the brightness and viewing angles of the display by refracting the light from the diffuser towards the viewer. Polariser: The first polariser, known as the lower polariser, ensures that the light entering the liquid crystal layer vibrates in only one direction. Glass substrate with TFTs and colour filters: This layer houses the tiny thin-film transistors that control the orientation of the liquid crystals. Each pixel also has a colour filter (red, green, or blue) that gives the pixel its colour. Liquid crystal layer: The liquid crystals in this layer rotate under the control of the TFTs, thereby modulating the light’s passage through the pixel. Upper polariser: The upper polariser, oriented perpendicular to the lower one, permits or blocks the passage of light based on the orientation of the liquid crystals. Working together to create the final image The operation of a TFT display involves the seamless interaction of all these layers. The backlight emits light which is then guided, diffused and directed by the light guide plate, diffuser and prism sheets, respectively. The polarised light then passes through the TFT and liquid crystal layers, where its intensity is modulated to create the grayscale value of the pixel. The colour filter assigns the pixel’s colour, and the final image is then observed through the upper polariser. TFT displays exemplify how meticulous design and fine layering in the optical stack can result in vibrant, high-resolution images. The understanding and optimisation of these layers are crucial for enhancing display performance, thereby pushing the boundaries of what is possible in digital display technology. The beauty of a TFT display is much more than skin deep. Behind the vibrant colours and sharp images lies a complex world of optical engineering and materials science, a testament to human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of technological advancement.Kiosk and Digital Signage 19 Unveiling the optical stack: the construction of TFT displays John Stone, sales director, Relec Electronics – https://www.relec.co.uk/ TFT displays exemplify how meticulous design and fine layering in the optical stack can result in vibrant, high-resolution images.Next >