How to turn LED into creative retail applications
LED has always been a staple in retail stores and activations. A high-resolution, customisable screen that can display content and brand campaigns. Having recently invested in a large fleet of 1.9mm curved LED products (to complement our 1.9mm and 2.5mm straight and edge LED), we are always keen to share how an LED screen can be used creatively.
Here’s our process:
1. Finding the right technology - straight, curve or edge?
Due to LED’s modular system it’s possible to create custom designs out of LED panels, to any shape or scale. For example, we’ve helped clients use LED to design a 5.5m high screen in the middle of Westfield London, in the shape and proportions of a fragrance bottle. This was created using straight 2.5mm LED panels.
Another creative application used 1.5mm ultra-fine pitch LED screens in a u-shape design, creating an immersive room that you can see here.
These projects show what’s possible with straight 1.9mm and 2.5mm LED panels. However, we have also extended our retail fleet to include 1.9mm true curve LED and 1.9mm edge LED products. These allow you to create any design you can think of!
A stepped-style LED counter and column created from edge LED panels.
When working with VAST we’ll help you decide whether straight, edge or curve LED is best for your creative idea.
2. Custom LED project mock-ups
When LED is custom-designed it naturally needs to be tested prior to the retail installation. We usually do this in our warehouse, or sometimes even at our clients’ premises.
A custom LED project being mocked up in our warehouse recently.
The custom LED project is built to scale, giving us a chance to review the structure and make any customisations necessary, as well as test content on the actual display that’s going to be installed within the retail environment.
3. Custom rigging and metalwork
Where needed, we design custom rigging and metalwork to support the use of our LED within a build.
With our 1mm and 2mm high-resolution LED products we offer ground stack systems, flying bars or custom metalwork, depending on what’s required to bring the project to life.
4. Interactive elements
Most retail projects require an LED display that can show the latest brand and promotional content on a high-resolution display. However, some projects call for a further interactive element. In this case we work with clients to add an additional interactive layer. LED screens are one of the best canvases for interactive experiences as they’re high-resolution, easy to be viewed from a distance and create an immersive feel.
A 2.5mm LED display used as an interactive backdrop for a TikTok dance challenge.
Using microswitches and other forms of technology, we can allow store visitors to control what’s on the LED wall and interact with brand elements and products.
To speak to us about about using creative LED for your next retail brand event or activation, get in touch today.