Want to learn more about digital signage in the sign & graphics industry? From how to create content to how to sell the equipment, the below industry-specific resources will help guide you through a transition to digital signage.
Click on the name of each resource below to read a description, see the cost, and register. Reach out to education@signs.org with any questions.
ISA online learning courses in digital signage
This course will help you discover where to find new business in digital signage. Potential customers are waiting for you to find them and this course will show you the way to increase your bottom line with your current staff.
- Speaker: Lyle Bunn, BUNN Co.
- Price: $35 for ISA members; $100 for non-members
- Estimated time to complete course: 1 hour
Who exactly are the potential customers for digital signage? This course will take a “thinking outside the box” approach and show who the customers are and how to use your current skills and expertise, with a little education about digital signage, to increase your business with both current and new clients.
- Speaker: Lyle Bunn, BUNN Co.
- Price: $35 for ISA members; $100 for non-members
- Estimated time to complete course: 1 hour
Digital signage is, not only, about the initial design, but about the installation of the product so that everything works together in harmony. This seminar discusses the basics of system design and provides an overview of each of the parts that go into a digital signage network, how they work and interact with each other along with a review of common terms used to describe each one. This will include components such as displays, mounts and cables along with the hardware and software technologies and those who you can partner with for profit.
- Speaker: Johnathan Brawn, Brawn Consulting
- Price: $35 for ISA members; $100 for non-members
- Estimated time to complete course: 1 hour
The be all and end all of signage is content – the finished product. This seminar recognizes the differences between static and dynamic sign content, content life cycles and the effect content has on the viewer. Explore the different types of dynamic content and delve into the various methods of content creation for the sign shop. Recognizing that sign shops come in all types and sizes, the seminar explores what can be created in house, what to outsource and who to partner with. Learn about recurring revenue and discuss what to charge for content creation.
- Speaker: Jim Nista, Insteo
- Price: $35 for ISA members; $100 for non-members
- Estimated time to complete course: 1 hour
At one time or another we all require directions. In a given space this is called wayfinding and at its core, wayfinding encompasses all of the ways in which people orient themselves in an environment and navigate from place to place. Orientation is the attempt to determine one’s location. Then there is the route decision which is the selection of a course to follow. In more sophisticated systems there is route monitoring and checking to make sure that the selected route is heading towards the desired destination. The final phase is a notice of when the destination is recognized. This seminar will speak to how wayfinding is used in educational environments and show how that can correlate to other applications as well.
- Speaker: Spencer Graham, West Virginia University
- Price: $35 for ISA members; $100 for non-members
- Estimated time to complete course: 1 hour
The majority of failures for those entering the digital signage industry can be directly traced to a lack of planning and due diligence up front. This course covers topics that will help you to understand the major business issues that face the digital signage industry and will ultimately enable you to create a solid business plan.
- Price: $35 for ISA members; $100 for non-members
- Estimated time to complete course: 45 minutes
This course introduces the basics of digital signage. After exploring digital signage market growth, the course delves into The 7 Key Elements of Digital Signage, which are comprised of business, content, design, software, hardware, connectivity, and operations. Understanding these concepts and trends in each area are important first steps to incorporating digital signage into your sign shop.
- Price: $35 for ISA members; $100 for non-members
- Estimated time to complete course: 45 minutes
This course will look at trends in signage, explore the areas where static and digital signs converge, and shows how this all fits together in the overall signage picture.
- Price: $35 for ISA members; $100 for non-members
- Estimated time to complete course: 35 minutes
Digital Signage: What exactly is it? What’s the market size and growth potential? What are the applications? Ultimately, how do I add it to my business and sell it? This course will answer all of these questions, and more.
- Price: $35 for ISA members; $100 for non-members
- Estimated time to complete course: 50 minutes
After all is said and done a sign, either static or dynamic, must be installed. There is no magic wand to wave in midair and “get er done.” This final step in delivering a sign is all the more complex with dynamic digital signage because of all the parts that need to be delivered, installed and then connected and tested on premise. This seminar discusses the logistics of getting everything in the right place at the right time, project managing the installation, verifying the operation of the system, and training the end user on the operation. Finally, we will introduce the importance of service contracts after the installation to insure that the end user becomes a repeat customer and is well served over the long term.
- Speaker: Paul Gilmartin, iTeam, Inc.
- Price: $35 for ISA members; $100 for non-members
- Estimated time to complete course: 1 hour
Sign shops have proven that dynamic signage is a perfect product for many of their clients, and these shops have already blazed a trail for success. Use these proven tactics to build a dynamic sales strategy that fits your shop and engages your clients! Discover the optimal types of “static sign” clients for sales of dynamic signage, and then learn techniques to ignite their interest in DS. Match the product to the prospect and hear what you need to include in a winning dynamic sign proposal. Find out what the most popular pricing strategies are for sign shop sales of DS, and see a case study from introduction to ongoing relationship. This seminar is perfect for beginners or those who want to polish their current dynamic signage sales system!
- Speaker: Teresa M. Young, Sign Biz, Inc.
- Price: $35 for members; $100 for non-members
- Estimated time to complete course: 1 hour
The restaurant menu board business is booming, and digital signs are leading the way! Learn how this exploding market is rapidly becoming the domain of the “traditional” sign shop. Learn the recipe for a successful sale, how these systems work and gain the confidence to proceed. See real-world case studies of dynamic menu boards in both interior and exterior food-service environments – it’s easy as pie!
- Speaker: Teresa M. Young, Sign Biz, Inc.
- Price: $35 for ISA members; $100 for non-members
- Estimated time to complete course: 1 hour
This course is dedicated to understanding partnerships as a two way street that can result in a profitable win/win situation for both parties. It will help you and your company discover what is practical to outsource and what needs to remain in house. It will touch on the process of discovery and evaluation of potential partners for outsourcing and look at both profitability and how this leads to risk abatement resulting in expanded market capabilities and penetration that is controllable in the entire process.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the true meaning of partnerships in digital signage
- Learn how to maximize the value of partnerships
- Learn when to partner and what to keep in house
- Speaker: George Yunis, Allure Global Solutions, Inc.
- Price: $35 for ISA members; $100 for non-members
- Estimated time to complete course: 1 hour
Read Up on digital signage
How to engage an audience and make the most of digital signs.
- Author: Watchfire
- Price: $0 (Free)
Digital signs are a relatively new technology that is rapidly evolving while communities are often trying to play catch up. Until cities and towns can make digital signs a part of their environmental vocabulary, manufacturers and sign builders will be required to take a leadership role in the approval process. Here are the trends and best practices in having digital signs approved.
The Exterior Digital Signage article series is split into four parts. Download each separately:
Part 1: Selecting and Developing Exterior Digital Signs
Part 2: Exterior Digital Signs Legibility and Content
Part 3: Architectural Integration: Making Digital Signs Part of a Place
Part 4: Digital Sign Codes and Design Best Practices
- Author: Craig Berger
- Publisher: International Sign Association
- Price: $0 for ISA members; $24.95 each for non-members
According to its author, Justin Ryan, this e-book provides a non-technical fast track to understand the components, build a foundation of knowledge and learn best practices and usage of digital signage.
ISA provides this e-book as an additional resource for those sign companies interested in pursuing or advancing their understanding of digital signage. ISA was not involved in any way in the writing of this e-book and does not represent or warranty its content.
- Author: Justin Ryan
- Price: $14.98 for ISA members; $18.99 for non-members
Recorded Webinars About Digital Signage
Two live sign company panels who have profited from new opportunities provided by digital signage discussed how best to venture into selling LED/LCD/digital signage and some of the pitfalls to avoid. This educational experience is for anyone looking to get into digital signage or expand their capabilities and efficiencies in this sector.
- Speakers: Chris McCaffrey, Ulrich Signs; Trey Watts, Springfield Sign; James Fuchsel, LaCrosse Signs; Daryl Kirt, Scenic Signs; Levi Stutzman, FASTSIGNS – Erie PA
- Price: $15.00 for ISA members; $30.00 for non-members
Sponsored by Daktronics
Most sign companies have years of experience selling, permitting, and installing electronic message centers. But your EMC project might not be complete when the sign is turned over to your customer. Learn from ISA’s experts all about key technical issues that could limit your ability to keep your customers satisfied and in compliance with municipal, state and federal regulations and permitting requirements.
- Speakers: Ron Koerner, Product Manager, Daktronics; Brett Wendler, VP of Design and Development, Daktronics; Jason Boeve, Electrical Design/Regulatory Compliance, Daktronics; Kenny Peskin, ISA
- Price: $0 for ISA members; $15 for non-members
Are your customers at risk for fines from the federal government? If you purchase, sell or install digital signs you may be surprised to learn you’re subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations regarding radio transmissions. Companies that do not understand these rules can face fines, have imports blocked, or face lengthy investigations. Hear from FCC officials and specialized FCC lawyers to learn how to ensure you and your customers stay out of trouble. Specific topics include testing, marketing, labeling, importation, use restrictions, record keeping — and what to do if the FCC enforcement Bureau sends you a Letter of Inquiry.
- Speakers: Leslie Barnes, FCC Enforcement Bureau; Rashmi Doshi, FCC Office of Engineering and Technology; Paul Margie, Harris, Wiltshire & Grannis LLP; Rob Carter, Harris, Wiltshire & Grannis LLP; and Jason Neal, Harris, Wiltshire & Grannis LLP
- Price: $0.00 for ISA members only
