Michigan State University
Controller's Office
The purpose of this guideline is to create a consistent user experience across all digital signs on campus, to ensure that they meet accessibility and safety standards, and to display appropriate and relevant content. Digital signs are defined as any permanently mounted digital screen that is displayed in a shared space with the primary purpose of disseminating general information to multiple people. This guideline is needed for the following reasons:
Campus-wide - all of Michigan State University, East Lansing campus
Closed system - one in which the information can only be accessed through the digital sign. An example would be an ATM machine. If it is not a closed system then it is an open system.
Digital signage - any permanently mounted digital screen that is displayed in a shared space with the primary purpose of disseminating general information to multiple people.
Interactive signage - a digital sign that allows the user to control the interface, whether through touch, voice, or any type of input device.
Limited access - areas not commonly accessed, unless for a specific purpose.
Local - refers to a specific audience, such as a unit, department, or building.
Non-interactive signage - a digital sign that cannot be controlled by a user.
Open system - one in which the information is available through some other pathway, such as the internet. If it is not an open system, it is a closed system.
Public access - all common areas in a building or permanent structure.
Restricted access - spaces that cannot be accessed by the general public.
Variable Message Signs (VMS) - for the purposes of this document, VMS is synonymous with digital signage. Digital signs are referred to as variable message signs by Section 508 of the ADA Accessibility guidelines.
This guideline applies to all interactive and non-interactive digital signage on Michigan State University East Lansing campus. Digital signs that are excluded from this guideline include menu boards, artwork, scoreboards, televisions, video projectors and system monitors.
In addition to the requirements outlined in this guideline, all digital signs must adhere to the following MSU and federal guidelines:
Digital signage on campus is divided into three types of access:
Contact MSU IT Technology AV/IT Integration at tech.msu.edu for assistance determining if a sign location is considered public, limited, or restricted access.
For each signage access type above (i.e. public, limited and restricted), there are required, recommended, and optional content for interactive digital signs.
Table 1: Requirements for Displaying Digital Content, Based on Content Type and Classification of Access Areas identifies which content type is required, recommended, and optional for each interactive signage access type. Additional information for each content type is available under Content Types
Table 1: Requirements for Displaying Digital Content, Based on Content Type and Classification of Access Areas
Alerts | Required | Required | Required |
Directory - campus-wide | Required | Recommended | Optional |
Directory - local | Optional | Recommended | Optional |
Events - campus-wide | Required | Optional | Optional |
Events - local | Optional | Optional | Optional |
Gallery | Optional | Optional | Optional |
Map - campus-wide | Required | Recommended | Optional |
Map - local | Required | Recommended | Recommended |
News - Campus | Recommended | Optional | Optional |
Social Media | Optional | Optional | Optional |
Weather | Optional | Optional | Optional |
The only content required for non-interactive signage is the ability to display alerts. This is required for public, limited, and restricted access areas. See the Alerts section below for more information.
Exterior digital signs are not permitted unless reviewed by the Campus Planning and Infrastructure Work Group (CIPWG) and approved by the university administration. All exterior digital sign requests should be presented to the CIPWG chairperson including:
Digital signs shall not include non-MSU related advertising, or any inappropriate or offensive material. All digital signs must follow the MSU Acceptable Use Policy for MSU Information Technology Resources. Access to sensitive information on digital signs, such as fire panel controls and detailed floor plans, must require a user login or passcode.
MSU does not require that any specific software, hardware, or vendors be used as long as they meet the requirements set forth in this guideline. Certain content types that may be required will necessitate specific technical capabilities. Please contact MSU IT Technology AV/IT Integration at tech.msu.edu for more information on current requirements.
For recommended digital signage packages from a preferred vendor, please contact MSU IT Technology AV/IT Integration at tech.msu.edu for more information.
MSU’s Energy Transition Plan challenges the campus community to avoid wasteful energy practices. See energytransition.msu.edu/ for more information. The university also has an aggressive plan to reduce waste sustainability.msu.edu. To reach these goals, faculty, staff, and students are requested to make thoughtful decisions about how resources are used. Please do the following when making a plan to include digital signage:
As digital sign usage on our campus increases, we must be mindful of accessibility issues and challenges. Digital signs may present challenges for individuals with physical disabilities. However, innovative technology may provide solutions to many of these challenges. These guidelines will not only help individuals with disabilities but will also help all users.
Please be mindful that MSU has implemented a Web Accessibility Policy which will likely have implications on technologies used to provide signage on campus. MSU has numerous helpful resources and links for employees to use in complying with the guideline, all of which can be found at webaccess.msu.edu.
MSU is also required to follow the law including the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act in all areas of the institution, including providing signage. If you have any questions about the guideline, or the law, in general, please contact the ADA Coordinator in the Office for Inclusion, 517-353-3922, inclusion.msu.edu.
Digital signs can be either open or closed systems. Whether a system is open or closed affects the implementation of accessibility guidelines. The preferred method of designers is to make digital signage content open.
To make a digital sign’s content open, the sign should present content from a centrally located website that is maintained and updated. This website will provide alternate access for individuals using smart phones or computers. This website must be compliant with the University’s Web Accessibility Policy. To assist users in navigating to this web URL we suggest the following three methods:
If a digital sign displays content that is not available through alternative access, it must provide an accessible user interface. Contact MSU IT Technology AV/IT Integration for more information on how to make closed-system signs accessible and for additional resources on accessibility and digital signs.
All digital signs should include proper representation of the Michigan State University brand through consistent and appropriate use of logos and marks. MSU brand standards, including acceptable methods for identifying colleges and units may be found at brand.msu.edu.
The tabs/buttons for interactive digital signs should have the following order and labels:
See Accessibility section for additional requirements on user interface controls.
Digital sign owners are required to register all their digital signs with MSU IT Technology AV/IT Integration. Registering digital signs makes it possible to communicate digital signage related information and content updates to the various owners.
All digital signs on campus must show the MSU Police alert. If currently installed hardware/software does not permit showing alerts, the software/hardware should be updated to allow the showing of alerts as soon as reasonably possible.
MSU Police will supply the website for an emergency RSS feed to be displayed. Systems should be programmed to search and pull information from this RSS feed every 5 minutes. The system will display all information from the RSS feed to include date and time of message. The system will also display any additional messages (updates) at the same time as the original message. Messages will have an expiration time set by sender after which the screens will return to normal functions. The emergency message will be programmed to take over the full screen.
All alert messages include locations of where to find more information related to the alert/update messages.
A local map (i.e. floor plans) should be displayable on all interactive digital signs in public access areas and are recommended in limited and restricted access locations. A local map on non-interactive signs are optional in all locations.
All digital signage must follow the MSU Policy for Access to Facility Information and Critical Data. This policy addresses distribution of facility information, including floorplans. Visit wayfinding.msu.edu for more information on how to directly access floor plans designed specifically for digital signage.
All interactive digital signage in public areas should have a campus-wide map. In limited access areas, a campus map is strongly recommended. A campus map is optional in restricted areas. In most cases, the interactive digital signs should use the official web-based interactive campus map, when available, that has been designed for use with digital signs on campus. Showing a campus map is optional for non-interactive signs in all locations.
If it is not possible to use the web-based map, then use the official campus map in PDF form. The sign should link to the PDF map directly, if possible, or download it at least on a bi-annual basis. Upon updating the equipment so that it is capable of displaying web-based content, switch the sign from using the PDF form to the web-based interactive campus map.
For information on software and hardware requirements to display the web-based map, how to integrate it, and choosing the correct campus map, Contact wayfinding.msu.edu for more information.
Provide campus-wide directory information on all interactive digital signs in public access areas. This practice is recommended in limited access areas and optional in restricted locations. Additional local directory information is recommended in limited access areas and optional in public and restricted areas. Showing directory information on non-interactive digital signs is optional in all areas.
Interactive digital signs should show important campus-wide events. No specific campus-wide events are required, but events that are current and of a broad appeal are encouraged in public spaces. Showing local events in public locations is optional. In limited access and restricted locations, showing campus-wide and local events are both optional. Showing events is optional in all locations for non-interactive digital signs.
Galleries, Campus News, Social Media, Weather and other content types are not required for any digital sign. However, if they are included they must follow the guidelines of this policy. For more information on integrating optional content types and access to additional campus-wide data services for digital signage, Contact MSU IT Technology AV/IT Integration at tech.msu.edu for more information.