
Designing for campus screens is all about clarity, simplicity, and making sure your message looks great at a glance. Here’s how to set your content up for success:
Design for the Right Screen Size
Most campus screens are landscape, not vertical.
- Use 1920 × 1080 pixels (16:9) for digital signage.
- Avoid using vertical poster designs (like 11″ × 17″)—they won’t translate well and could appear distorted or cropped.
Keep Messaging Short and Eye-Catching
People only view digital signage for a few seconds, so your design should make key information instantly clear.
Focus on:
- Short, simple text
- Event essentials: title, speaker, date, time, location
- A clear call to action: short URL or QR code
- Urgent reminders or important announcements
When to Promote on ScreenCloud
Timing Matters!
- Share content one week before your event for the best visibility.
- For recurring events or items with deadlines, longer promotion windows may be appropriate.
- When uploading to ScreenCloud, use the calendar in the “Availability” tab to schedule content.
Where to Send Your Digital Signage
- Send all final ScreenCloud graphics to:screencloud@davidson.edu
- This ensures that all screen managers receive your content.
- Please avoid sending signage to individual screen managers.

Communications Corner
This blog is a resource for answers to frequently-asked questions and detailed insights into College Communications processes and services.
Got questions? We’re always here to help. Contact Zee Holmes at zeholmes@davidson.edu.