Lights, video walls, action
Smart Display is taking an exciting new direction towards increased audio-visual branding, spearheaded by an increased client demand for AV elements. Although LED lighting, video walls and neon elements are not new concepts, Smart Display is increasing its focus on the incorporation of such features, following several successful projects in 2023.
Most recently, Smart Display upgraded its design for SA Catapult with a 4 metre high video wall and a neon map, featuring engraved channels in acrylic illuminated by LED lighting. The elements featured on the brand’s stand at UK Space in Belfast last month and, before the show had even opened its doors, the map in particular was the talking point of the exhibition.
“SA Catapult wanted a striking way to promote where its agencies are located around the UK,” says Smart Display’s exhibitions stand designer Sarah Addison. “For brands whose products aren’t particularly visually-orientated, something like this can really create an impact, and the finished feature was very effective.”
Such features are made more accessible to clients because the creations are manufactured in-house by Smart Display’s team of skilled craftsmen. Negating any inflated costs by outsourcing the service to third-party providers, Smart Display is able to maintain full control of its lighting elements, creating bespoke and unique features for clients on a case-by-case basis.
Gary Pickles, Smart Display’s in-house print technician, was tasked with creating the map, and maintains that the process can be widely adapted for a range of eye-catching features.
“We use a V-groove router bit to cut into the acrylic or Perspex, and illuminate the channels with LED lighting,” he explains. “The end result is very effective, and relatively low energy and low-cost for the client.”
The colour and speed-change of the lights can even be controlled by the client via a remote control or an app, making for an adaptable feature than can be amended from one season to the next.
Video walls are also increasing in popularity, thanks to the increased impact the striking structures can have in comparison to a standard TV screen.
“We are seeing more briefs that request an upgrade from a standard screen to a video wall,” says designer Sarah. “The video walls are made up on LED skin tiles that make for seamless graphics. We can even take the tiles around corners, which offers a lot of design potential. Video walls are one of those features that clients want as soon as the see the overall impact they can create.”
For engineering firm MJ Church, introducing a video wall into its stand was an investment that paid off at Highways UK earlier this year.
“Our stand – and the video wall in particular – was the first thing everybody saw when they entered the hall,” says head of civil engineering Aidan Boyle. “The impact was amazing and it certainly did the job of attracting visitors to our brand. We will definitely be having a video wall again next year.”
Of course when it came to designing its own stand for the B2B Marketing Expo last week, Smart Display’s design team were only too happy to push the boundaries of audio-visual elements. The stand’s focal point was a rotating, hanging neon structure, complemented by a striking neon logo created by Gary Pickles.
The counter meanwhile became the talking point of the show, thanks to its resin-filled lettering, illuminated with colour-changing LEDs that responded to sound.
“Visitors were stopping in the aisles to admire our neon features, LED lighting, living wall and overall statement design,” says Smart Display managing director Chris Stewart. “We lost count of the number of visitors who congratulated us on having the best stand at the exhibition.”
If you want to find out how Smart Display can use audio-visual elements to make sure you have the best stand at your next exhibition, get in touch today.
