Difference between revisions of "Digital Signage"

m (moved Guide to Creating Digital Signage Images to Digital Signage: Simpler titles are better!)
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[[Dining Services]] has embarked on a pilot project with GTS to provide digital signs in the Market Place. The sign works by cycling through a series of images. To get your message on the sign, you must create an image and submit it to Dining Services for approval and inclusion in the rotation.
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[[Technology Services]] has embarked on a pilot project with a handful of departments on campus to provide a '''digital signage''' solution, to help these departments communicate certain information to the 鶹Ƶ community in public spaces. The digital signs are wall-mounted televisions which display a looping series of image slides, and are moderated solely by individuals from the departments who have purchased them.
  
==Creating an image to go on the sign==
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While technically anyone may submit a slide to be run on any digital signs on campus, the approval of such slides happens at the discretion of the department(s) who moderate each sign. Individuals should be aware that departments may generally prefer (or strictly require) that submitted slides relate directly to their department.
===Open the template in PowerPoint===
 
#First open one of the following templates in [[PowerPoint]]
 
  
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The slide you submit must be an image file saved as one of the following file formats:
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* .PNG
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* .JPG
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* .GIF
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For best results, your image should be exactly '''1920 pixels wide''' and '''1080 pixels high''' (a '''16:9 aspect ratio''').
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==Using Microsoft PowerPoint==
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A variety of software can be used to create image files for slides, but Technology Services highly recommends using [[Microsoft PowerPoint]]. PowerPoint is designed to create short, informational slides for use in presentations, and has design goals that greatly overlap with digital sign slides.
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===Open a PowerPoint template===
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To reinforce 鶹Ƶ branding and avoid overly-distracting background images, Technology Services highly recommends you use one of the following PowerPoint templates as the basis for your slide:
  
 
[[File:Dsign-blue.gif|200px|link=/gts//images/b/be/Dsign-Blue.ppt]]
 
[[File:Dsign-blue.gif|200px|link=/gts//images/b/be/Dsign-Blue.ppt]]
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[[File:Dsign-gold.gif|200px|link=/gts//images/5/5d/Dsign-Gold.ppt]]
 
[[File:Dsign-gold.gif|200px|link=/gts//images/5/5d/Dsign-Gold.ppt]]
  
#You may manipulate these slides in any way (e.g. changing text or adding and deleting slides); however, you ''must keep the background the same'' and ''should not use less than 26 point fonts'' so that your text will be readable at a distance.
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Download and open one of these slides in Powerpoint.
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===Edit your slide===
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Add text and images to your slide. All text should be at least 26 points, to be readable at a distance. You should also try to keep your text concise and only include the most important details, since most passive viewers walking by will only see your slide for a few seconds.
  
===How to save slides as pictures===
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===Save your slide===
 
====Windows====
 
====Windows====
To have your image display in the Market Place must save the slide(s) of your PowerPoint presentation as pictures, and send those to Dining Services.
 
  
 
# Selecting the proper image size (for PowerPoint 2007)
 
# Selecting the proper image size (for PowerPoint 2007)
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## Underneath the menu bar, on the far left, select "Page Setup"
 
## Underneath the menu bar, on the far left, select "Page Setup"
 
## A screen will appear displaying two scroll menus. One labeled "Width" and the other labeled "Height"
 
## A screen will appear displaying two scroll menus. One labeled "Width" and the other labeled "Height"
## Change the width to 20 inches, and the height to 11.25 inches (this gives you an image size of the Market Place TV, 1920 pixels by 1080 pixels).
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## Change the width to 20 inches, and the height to 11.25 inches (this gives you an image size of the digital sign TV, 1920 pixels by 1080 pixels).
 
## Click the "OK" button.
 
## Click the "OK" button.
 
# Select the desired slide in the thumbnail view (the slides on the left hand side of the screen).
 
# Select the desired slide in the thumbnail view (the slides on the left hand side of the screen).
## If the thumbnail view is not visible, select "view" on the menu bar at the top of the screen, and scroll to slide sorter.
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#* If the thumbnail view is not visible, select "view" on the menu bar at the top of the screen, and scroll to slide sorter.
 
# [[image: Icon.jpg|35px|right]]From here, select the [[Microsoft Office]] icon in the upper left-most corner of the screen (as shown to the right).
 
# [[image: Icon.jpg|35px|right]]From here, select the [[Microsoft Office]] icon in the upper left-most corner of the screen (as shown to the right).
## If using a Microsoft Office older than 2007, select "File" from the menu bar.
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#* If you are using a version of Microsoft Office older than 2007, select "File" from the menu bar.
 
# Click "Save As", and a screen should appear asking for the name and file type in which you want to save your slide.
 
# Click "Save As", and a screen should appear asking for the name and file type in which you want to save your slide.
# Type in a name which you find relevant for the slide show, and then scroll down to JPG as a file type.
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# Type in a name which you find relevant for the slide show, and then scroll down to one of the following file types:
# After you click save, PowerPoint will display an option to export the entire slide show as individual images.[[image: Powerpoint.gif]]
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#* PNG Portable Network Graphics Format (*.png)
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#* JPEG File Interchange Format (*.jpg)
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#* GIF Graphics Interchange Format (*.gif)
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# After you click save, PowerPoint will display an option to export the entire slide show as individual images: [[image: Powerpoint.gif]]
 
# Select "Current Slide Only".
 
# Select "Current Slide Only".
  
 
====Macintosh====
 
====Macintosh====
 
# Select the desired slide in the thumbnail view (the slides on the left hand side of the screen).
 
# Select the desired slide in the thumbnail view (the slides on the left hand side of the screen).
## If the thumbnail view is not visible, select "view" on the menu bar at the top of the screen, and scroll to slide sorter.
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#* If the thumbnail view is not visible, select "view" on the menu bar at the top of the screen, and scroll to slide sorter.
 
# Select "File" from the menu bar.
 
# Select "File" from the menu bar.
 
# Choose "Save As Image...", and a screen should appear asking for the name and file type in which you want to save your slide.
 
# Choose "Save As Image...", and a screen should appear asking for the name and file type in which you want to save your slide.
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# Save.
 
# Save.
 
# After you click save, PowerPoint will notify you that every slide from your presentation was saved as a picture in a folder with the name and location that you selected.
 
# After you click save, PowerPoint will notify you that every slide from your presentation was saved as a picture in a folder with the name and location that you selected.
# Select the image you want to go into the sign's rotation and submit it to Dining Services.
 
  
===Submit your presentation===
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==Submit your presentation==
* Proofread your presentation. Really! Dining Services will not be able to correct your image, and typos are embarrassing.
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* '''Proofread your presentation.''' After you submit your slide, the manager of a department won't have the ability to manually correct any mistakes in your image, so please make sure your slide is free of typos and that you've double-checked facts like dates and times, etc.
* E-mail your '''proofread''' image to [mailto:market-place-sign@gustavus.edu market-place-sign@gustavus.edu].
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* Visit [https://gustavus.edu/signs/?pr=user&pr2=upload https://gustavus.edu/signs/?pr=user&pr2=upload] and log in using your [[鶹Ƶ username]] and [[password]].
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* Follow the on-screen instructions for submitting your slide to a certain department.
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* A department manager will review your submission and approve or deny it.

Revision as of 11:57, 19 April 2010

Technology Services has embarked on a pilot project with a handful of departments on campus to provide a digital signage solution, to help these departments communicate certain information to the 鶹Ƶ community in public spaces. The digital signs are wall-mounted televisions which display a looping series of image slides, and are moderated solely by individuals from the departments who have purchased them.

While technically anyone may submit a slide to be run on any digital signs on campus, the approval of such slides happens at the discretion of the department(s) who moderate each sign. Individuals should be aware that departments may generally prefer (or strictly require) that submitted slides relate directly to their department.

The slide you submit must be an image file saved as one of the following file formats:

  • .PNG
  • .JPG
  • .GIF

For best results, your image should be exactly 1920 pixels wide and 1080 pixels high (a 16:9 aspect ratio).

Using Microsoft PowerPoint

A variety of software can be used to create image files for slides, but Technology Services highly recommends using Microsoft PowerPoint. PowerPoint is designed to create short, informational slides for use in presentations, and has design goals that greatly overlap with digital sign slides.

Open a PowerPoint template

To reinforce 鶹Ƶ branding and avoid overly-distracting background images, Technology Services highly recommends you use one of the following PowerPoint templates as the basis for your slide:

Dsign-blue.gif Dsign-green.gif Dsign-gold.gif

Download and open one of these slides in Powerpoint.

Edit your slide

Add text and images to your slide. All text should be at least 26 points, to be readable at a distance. You should also try to keep your text concise and only include the most important details, since most passive viewers walking by will only see your slide for a few seconds.

Save your slide

Windows

  1. Selecting the proper image size (for PowerPoint 2007)
    1. On the menu bar, select "Design"
    2. Underneath the menu bar, on the far left, select "Page Setup"
    3. A screen will appear displaying two scroll menus. One labeled "Width" and the other labeled "Height"
    4. Change the width to 20 inches, and the height to 11.25 inches (this gives you an image size of the digital sign TV, 1920 pixels by 1080 pixels).
    5. Click the "OK" button.
  2. Select the desired slide in the thumbnail view (the slides on the left hand side of the screen).
    • If the thumbnail view is not visible, select "view" on the menu bar at the top of the screen, and scroll to slide sorter.
  3. Icon.jpg
    From here, select the Microsoft Office icon in the upper left-most corner of the screen (as shown to the right).
    • If you are using a version of Microsoft Office older than 2007, select "File" from the menu bar.
  4. Click "Save As", and a screen should appear asking for the name and file type in which you want to save your slide.
  5. Type in a name which you find relevant for the slide show, and then scroll down to one of the following file types:
    • PNG Portable Network Graphics Format (*.png)
    • JPEG File Interchange Format (*.jpg)
    • GIF Graphics Interchange Format (*.gif)
  6. After you click save, PowerPoint will display an option to export the entire slide show as individual images: Powerpoint.gif
  7. Select "Current Slide Only".

Macintosh

  1. Select the desired slide in the thumbnail view (the slides on the left hand side of the screen).
    • If the thumbnail view is not visible, select "view" on the menu bar at the top of the screen, and scroll to slide sorter.
  2. Select "File" from the menu bar.
  3. Choose "Save As Image...", and a screen should appear asking for the name and file type in which you want to save your slide.
  4. The name and location are up to you, but be sure to set the format to a JPEG.
  5. Click the button labeled "Options..." on the lower right of the Save box.
    1. Under "Save slides as graphics files," select the bubble next to "Size".
    2. Select the size 1920 (wide) x 1080 (high).
  6. Save.
  7. After you click save, PowerPoint will notify you that every slide from your presentation was saved as a picture in a folder with the name and location that you selected.

Submit your presentation

  • Proofread your presentation. After you submit your slide, the manager of a department won't have the ability to manually correct any mistakes in your image, so please make sure your slide is free of typos and that you've double-checked facts like dates and times, etc.
  • Visit /signs/?pr=user&pr2=upload and log in using your 鶹Ƶ username and password.
  • Follow the on-screen instructions for submitting your slide to a certain department.
  • A department manager will review your submission and approve or deny it.