Screen size & placement considerations

Proper screen placement is crucial before investing in a digital signage platform. If your screens are not easily visible, they will not effectively serve their purpose. When planning screen locations, carefully consider your target audience, the screens’ intended function, and the ambient lighting conditions to ensure your content is clearly visible to viewers.

Viewing distance

The appropriate screen size and placement will vary based on the intended viewing distance in your industry. For instance, banks and credit unions often position screens behind the teller line, where viewers may be 10 feet or more away. In healthcare practices, digital screens are commonly placed in small waiting rooms, resulting in a shorter viewing distance. Manufacturing facilities frequently install screens on the plant floor to communicate safety information to employees, with viewing distances of 20 feet or more. Meanwhile, corporate and office settings tend to place screens in employee break rooms and common areas.

Field of attention

The field of attention, or attention zone, is the area where a viewer’s eyes naturally focus when looking straight ahead. This is a crucial consideration for effective digital signage placement. If screens are positioned too high or low relative to the typical viewer’s line of sight, the message will be less impactful and less likely to capture their attention.

These are the fields of attention for three different viewing distances:

• From 5 feet away, the field of attention is within 2 feet of eye level
• From 10 feet away, the field of attention is within 4 feet of eye level
• From 20 feet away, the field of attention is within 8.5 feet of eye level

To determine the optimal screen height, consider the average viewer’s field of attention. Assuming a viewer who is 5’6″ tall with eyes 4 inches from the top of their head, the screen’s center should be mounted approximately 5’2″ from the floor for a 5-foot viewing distance.

The greater the distance between the viewer and the screen, the larger the viewer’s field of attention, providing more flexibility in positioning the screen at the appropriate height.

General placement considerations

Consider the type of content you’ll display on your screens. Will it be predominantly promotional animations, or will you feature extensive educational text that viewers will want to read? Placement is crucial for text-based content to ensure it can be easily viewed and comprehended.

Position your screens in areas with minimal visual distractions to maximize their impact. Opt for an empty wall or a space with at least 5 feet of clearance on all sides of the screen.

Be mindful of the sun!

Outdoor screens (or those in windows) must compete with the sun, requiring a higher brightness commercial model. Some good brands to investigate for this are Sunbrite and Peerless. To adapt to varying light conditions, the best outdoor screens can automatically adjust their brightness, much like the digital dashboard in a car.