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Newsletter Archives
Backgrounds:
Often Seen First
When creating visual messages, we often
concentrate our efforts on the text and select the background as an
afterthought. Of course, the design should always be secondary to the
content, but keep in mind that people often notice graphics before text.
This is especially important in digital signage, where the viewer is
some distance away from the display
and you have only
seconds to grab their attention. Many
times, your background may be the first thing to catch their eye.
Your backgrounds should be considered in
terms of what they can add to your messaging strategy. They aren’t
independent of the
visual rules that apply to content design.
Consider these questions and suggestions
when choosing your background:
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Will this background draw attention to
my message?
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Will my background overpower the
content?
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Keep in mind that light text should
be on darker backgrounds and vise versa.
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If your bulletin has inserted
graphics, you may want to keep the background simple.
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Will this be seen in concert with other
content (other bulletins, videos, crawls, audio, etc.)?
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Does the background contain graphics
that work with my message?
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Background designs can suggest
themes or moods.
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For example - don’t use a dark,
sober background to announce a Spring Fling.
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Should my bulletin(s) follow a color
scheme?
Remember to keep your content fresh by
infusing your background library with new selections periodically.
Staying abreast of current design trends popular with your audience in
magazines and on Web sites can be a great resource for background ideas.
A good tip is to have a printed library of
your backgrounds that you can reference. If possible, categorize them
and cross-reference for quick, easy selection.
Don’t think of your background as a
backdrop, but as the foundation of your message.
Copyright 2006. Visix, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Consider your audience and choose
backgrounds to appeal and attract.