Innovation in creative technology has allowed event professionals to deliver experiences that are more engaging and dynamic than ever. Incorporating leading applications of LED technology into a design is a great way to draw attention to an activation and create a memorable environment. Check out the variety of LED options below for an overview of some of the most popular creative tech trends.
Pixel Pitch Know-How
If you’re designing LED into your experiences, you’ll need to understand the basics. Those fundamentals start with pixel pitch, which correlates with resolution and determines how clearly images will appear on an LED wall.
Pixel pitch measures density, or the distance between pixels, measured in millimeters. The smaller the pixel pitch, the less empty space there is between pixels and the higher the screen resolution.
When it comes to pixel pitch, the tighter the pitch, the more expensive and labor intensive it is. In general, designers prefer smaller LED video wall pixel pitch. However, for larger events where attendees will be farther away from the wall, you can use a higher pixel pitch and save money.
To determine the optimal pixel pitch for your LED wall, consider the distance that a viewer is away from the wall where they can properly see the LED image. This is referred to as “viewing distance.” Here’s an easy rule to keep in mind: 3.5 feet back for every 1mm of pixel pitch.
Indoor vs. Outdoor LED
Indoor LED allows you to play video over a large surface area and deliver movement to make spaces feel alive. Indoor screens typically have a lower pixel pitch (higher resolution). They are best used for high-level messaging and digital signage.
Compared to indoor LED, outdoor LED must be much brighter to compete with sunlight. Because they are typically viewed from a distance, outdoor LED video walls can have a much lower resolution. They are built specifically for outdoor use and can withstand the elements. They’re great to use for live events and Image Magnification (IMAG).
Creative LED Applications
Now that we’ve got a handle on the basics, let’s look at various creative LED applications and their uses.
Curved or Flexible LED is good for overhead canopy digital signage and theater presentations. Some of the tiles are curved, while others are faceted to make curves. This application allows you to adapt your screen to structures.
Corners can be used to create incredible visual effects and beautiful continuous media surfaces. That said, corner LED can be tricky! Outside corners require mitered tiles so that the corners can touch. Inside corners may require additional structural considerations. Corners are best used for signage that wraps LED around 90 degrees.
Triangular Tiles are now becoming standard to finish off LED walls at an angle. You can use triangular tiles to create different angular shapes and break up the redundancy of straight edges.
Transparent or Clear LED comes in all shapes, sizes, formats and densities, and isn’t actually transparent. It’s similar to looking through a screen door—you can see through the areas where the LED is off and the content is black. It becomes more opaque as the content lightens up, giving the illusion of content floating in space. Note that transparent LED is not structural—it needs to be hung.
LED Floors bring life to the floor by playing content below your feet. They are great for showcasing large products and can support heavy objects, like cars. And you can use add-ons to create interactive floor experiences. Although the resolution is low, the content can react to your audience in real time, creating magic at their feet!
LED Spheres are a nontraditional, eye-catching canvas. LED sphere technology is best used for showcasing large product overhead. It is often used to create interactive experiences triggered by gesture sensors. Note that you will have to create custom media, but templates are available.
If you’re on a tight budget, keep it simple and creative with LED Banners. You can use multiple banners to show image galleries and video instead of using an LED wall. LED banners are ideal for event digital signage—their small 1.9 mm pixel pitch allows for high resolution images and small text to be displayed at close viewing distances.
Today’s LED technology options allow you to create dynamic experiences that engage audiences in ways that were only imagined a short time ago. From small displays to large activations, events industry veterans have witnessed a creative revolution in the world of events, propelled by access to technology and lighting innovations.
