Want to learn more about electronic and digital displays 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 a resource below to read a description and see purchasing options. Reach out to education@signs.org with any questions.
Note: Online courses and on-demand webinars are accessible only by the purchaser.
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Online Courses
This online course is designed to help you achieve profitability in the electronic and digital displays industry by focusing on selling benefits, not technology. You will learn how to identify opportunities where digital signage is already deployed, and where a need exists for improved content and services. The course highlights that the largest revenue potential lies in content creation and emphasizes how to align static and dynamic signage. You’ll learn to understand client objectives first, then create content to achieve those objectives, and finally, integrate the required technology. This course will guide you to demonstrate how electronic and digital displays can improve communication, increase sales, enhance brand awareness, and reduce costs. You’ll learn how to use impact data, develop targeted content, help clients reuse media assets, and apply effective sales tactics, all while prioritizing your existing clients. You’ll also learn how to identify customer frustrations with current communication methods and how to position electronic and digital displays as a solution.
- Price: $60 for ISA members; $80 for non-members
Learn how to determine how electronic and digital displays can enhance the customer experience in different retail environments in both size and type of store. Using case studies on best practices in digital strategy the panelists will discuss how video, art, interactive displays and mobile engagement can best be utilized.
- Price: $60 for ISA members; $80 for non-members
Wayfinding encompasses the ways in which people orient themselves in an environment and navigate from place to place. Learn how wayfinding is used in educational environments and how that can correlate to other applications as well.
- Price: $60 for ISA members; $80 for non-members
The majority of failures for those entering the electronic and digital displays industry can be directly traced to a lack of planning and due diligence up front. Gain an understanding of the major business issues that face the electronic and digital displays industry and enable you to create a solid business plan. After completing this course, you will understand the importance of:
1. The Seven Key Elements of Electronic and Digital Displays
2. Articulating the Objectives
3. Content and a Call to Action
4. Return on Investment, Return on Objectives, and Total Cost of Ownership
5. Metrics, Measurements, and Analytics
6. Partnerships
- Price: $60 for ISA members; $80 for non-members
Electronic and digital displays are not only about the initial design, but about the installation of the product so that everything works together in harmony. Learn the basics of system design and gain an overview of each of the parts that go into an electronic and digital display network, how they work and how they interact with each other along with a review of common terms used to describe each one.
- Price: $60 for ISA members; $80 for non-members
After all is said and done a sign, either static or digital, must be installed. This final step in delivering a sign is all the more complex with digital signage because of all the parts that need to be delivered, installed and then connected and tested on premise. Learn 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. Gain an understanding of 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.
- Price: $60 for ISA members; $80 for non-members
The key to achieving success in electronic and digital displays is to understand the major elements that are involved. Learn specific ways you can increase your revenue by expanding your business with a minimal investment of dollars and time as well as how to capture the reoccurring revenue benefits that come from electronic and digital displays. Learn what is involved, where to go for help and who you can partner with to become successful by expanding your business at a pace you can accommodate.
- Price: $60 for ISA members; $80 for non-members
Sign, graphics and visual communications companies have proven that electronic and digital displays are a perfect product for many of their clients. Learn proven tactics to build a sales strategy that fits your business and engages your clients. Discover the optimal types of static sign clients for sales of electronic and digital displays, and then learn techniques to ignite their interest. 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 sales of electronic and digital displays and see a case study from introduction to ongoing relationship.
- Price: $60 for ISA members; $80 for non-members
Electronic and Digital Displays: What exactly are they? 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: $60 for ISA members; $80 for non-members
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.
- Price: $60 for ISA members; $80 for non-members
Partnerships are a two way street that can result in a profitable win/win situation for both parties. Learn what is practical to outsource and what should remain in-house. Gain an understanding of the process of discovery and evaluation of potential partners for outsourcing. Understand what goes into determining profitability for electronic and digital displays.
- Price: $60 for ISA members; $80 for non-members
Sign Research Foundation
Full Report
This report provides an in-depth analysis of the current trends, technologies, and methodologies shaping digital printing in the sign and graphics industry. It covers key trends such as in-house investment in large format digital print processes, the integration of graphics with architectural environments, and the use of digital printing to enhance or replace traditional materials. The report includes insights from industry experts and discusses various printing technologies like direct to substrate, vinyl, fabric printing, and embedded graphics. It also addresses the challenges and opportunities in areas like brand environments, building wraps, wayfinding, and the balance between temporary and permanent solutions.
- Price: $30 for ISA members; $40 for non-members
Executive Summary
This summary explores the transformative impact of digital printing on the sign and graphics industry. It covers advances in inks, coatings, and processes, highlighting the increased durability and versatility of digital prints. The report discusses the shift of printers becoming fabricators and vice versa, and the entry of new players into the market. It emphasizes the importance of quality, durability, and adaptability in both interior and exterior applications. Additionally, it showcases the potential of digital graphics in enhancing or replacing traditional materials and includes insights from industry influencers. The report also addresses the evolving opportunities and competition within the industry, driven by technological advancements and experimentation with new materials.
- Price: $15 for ISA members; $20 for non-members
Full Report
This is a comprehensive study conducted by researchers from Texas A&M University. It examines the relationship between on-premise digital signage and traffic safety. The study involves collecting and analyzing large datasets of sign and crash data from several states, including California, North Carolina, Ohio, and Washington. Using the empirical Bayes method, the researchers performed a before-after statistical analysis to determine the safety impacts of digital signs. The findings indicate that the installation of on-premise digital signs does not lead to a statistically significant increase in crashes on major roads. The study also explores the effects of sign characteristics such as color, size, and business type, concluding that these factors do not significantly impact traffic safety.
- Price: $30 for ISA members; $40 for non-members
Executive Summary
This document provides an overview of a comprehensive study conducted by researchers from Texas A&M University. The study investigates the impact of on-premise digital signage on traffic safety using the Empirical Bayes (EB) statistical analysis method. The research includes data from 135 sign locations across Washington, North Carolina, Ohio, and California. The findings reveal no statistically significant increase in crash frequency after the installation of digital signs. The study also examines the effects of sign characteristics such as color, size, and business type, concluding that these factors do not significantly impact traffic safety. The research aims to provide a scientifically based national analysis to inform local sign codes and ordinance.
- Price: $15 for ISA members; $20 for non-members
Full Report
This comprehensive document, published by the Sign Research Foundation, delves into the key elements that enhance the visibility and readability of illuminated signs. It includes a thorough review of published research, technical reports, and standards, as well as findings from experimental studies. Learn about the impact of typographic and symbolic characteristics, photometric properties, and environmental factors on sign conspicuity and legibility. The report also offers practical guidelines for designing effective illuminated signs and measuring their performance in the field. Perfect for professionals in the signage industry, this document is a must-have resource for creating signs that capture attention and convey information clearly.
- Price: $30 for ISA members; $40 for non-members
Executive Summary
- Price: $15 for ISA members; $20 for non-members
Full Report
Designers and developers will lead the design and installation of new sign types that will accompany the evolution of the smart city (cities which utilize technology to meet current and future needs via data acquisition and IoT (Internet of Things) while allowing for growth and future needs via planning and developed infrastructure). This report seeks to understand the development of smart cities across the globe and to appreciate the importance of citizen participation and social equity in developing the policies which will govern the technologies. The authors chronicle emerging technologies that will shape signage and wayfinding in the near future and provide guidance to the approach cities should take to ready themselves for the role of signs in the future.
- Price: $30 for ISA members; $40 for non-members
Executive Summary
Technology platforms, such as 5G, provide an opportunity to collect data that enables companies to develop content that better serves their audiences. 5G provides a platform for data gathering for corporations and governments to help them better engage the public, but such information harvesting carries concerns about privacy protection. This executive summary to the full report for Smart Signage and Smart Cities: Regulating New Tech highlights the importance of signage in civic preparedness for 5G connectivity and highlights best practices for data collection and transparency.
- Price: $15 for ISA members; $20 for non-members
Electronic message boards are increasingly used by businesses as exterior on-premise signage. Are these signs, which allow businesses to communicate more information at a lower cost, associated with better store performance? This research provides new insights into the benefits of investing in electronic message boards, based on the latest performance metrics from a major retailer.
- Price: $30 for ISA members; $40 for non-members
On-Demand Webinars
The design and development of new sign types accompanying the evolution of the “smart city” creates new challenges for communities to ensure regulatory and privacy concerns are proactively addressed. This on-demand webinar seeks to help you understand the development of smart cities across the globe and to appreciate the importance of citizen participation and social equity in developing policies which will govern technologies currently being integrated and in development. The presenters have chronicled emerging technologies that will shape signage and wayfinding in the near future and provide guidance to the approach cities should take to ready themselves for the role of signs in the future. The presentation includes guidance for communities integrating smart technologies with their sign ordinances.
- Price: $10 for ISA members; $15 for non-members
Tools & Resources
Research paper from Texas A&M University that shows that electronic message centers are safe and do not cause driver distraction.
- Price: $0 for ISA members and non-members
Working with noted lighting expert Dr. Ian Lewin, ISA developed the EMC brightness guides to help communities regulate this important product. Hundreds of cities and several states have adopted these standards in their regulations. Updated August 2016
- Price: $0 for ISA members and non-members
Part 1: Selecting & Developing Signs
Digital signs are more popular than ever, but can be costly. Before clients develop a digital sign strategy and dive into the details of hardware and software, it is important to understand the return on investment (ROI) and to ensure a successful deployment by clearly laying out a complete development process. Part 1 of this series explores the selecting and development of exterior digital signs.
- Price: $0 member; $25 non-members
Part 2: Legibility & Content
Digital signs offer huge advantages over static signage, but creating high-quality, consistent, and legible content can be tricky. Part 2 of this article series explores exterior digital sign legibility and content.
- Price: $0 member; $25 non-members
Part 3: Architectural Integration
Digital signs have achieved considerable success in the last decades, but not without significant conflict in urban and suburban areas. Among the largest challenges is a perceived lack of digital sign integration with the landscape, architecture, and surrounding urban environment. When developing a digital sign approach, it is important that it be placed in the context of the overall design of the sign and building itself to be successful. Part 3 of this article series explores architectural integration: making digital signs part of a place.
- Price: $0 member; $25 non-members
Part 4: Sign Codes & Design Best Practices
Digital signs are a relatively new technology that is rapidly evolving while communities are often trying to play catchup. 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. Part 4 of this article series explores digital sign codes and design best practices.
- Price: $0 member; $25 non-members
This guide for planners and local officials answers common questions about electronic message centers (EMCs).
- Price: $0 for ISA members and non-members
