Here are the top six top out of home advertising creative tips we’ve culled from a review of the 20 most recent articles we’ve published by other people on our of home design.
1. Be Concise:
2. Focus on One Message:
A billboard ad needs to be simple. Do not try to convey multiple ideas or messages. However, focus on one key idea and convey it as clearly as possible. Your average viewer is traveling 70 miles an hour, therefore, your message needs to be clear.
3. Make Your Font Readable:
Use a large and easy to read typeface, in other words, avoid fonts with thin strokes or ornate designs. As Zak Mroueh of Aulu Alpha Kilo explains in Open 3, “For a standard 10 x 20 ft billboard, if you count a maximum of 22 characters across from left to right, including spaces, it will always be readable…If mathematics isn’t your strong suit, there’s another technique that never fails: whatever the art director designs, make it 25% bigger.”
4. Use Contrasting Colors:
Contrast makes your ad memorable. Lamar for instance refers to research indicating high color contrast improves out-of-home advertising recall by up to 38%. Penneco adds that bold, fully saturated colors make a billboard stand out, while neutral and pastel colors blend in with the scenery. Check out what the OOH Color Combinations to Increase Visibility are for best design results!
5. Quality Images are Key:
A compelling picture can carry an ad. Above all, use big, impactful images that will print well at billboard size. Many outdoor advertisers recommend images be 300 DPI minimum.
6. Be Innovative and Creative:
Consider using humor, top-outs, side-outs, or extensions, or other unconventional integrations to make a unique and memorable billboard. After all, no one remembers dull.
Put it all together and you get the Rapala ad as seen above. In addition to the bold colors, this design includes one message, great image, humor, and great use of extensions. View other creative samples of OOH advertising on our Instagram!
Put your design skills to the test and advertise your brand with OOH!