Brands are constantly asking the question: how can I make my brand stand out in the next year? The next month? The next day? Preparing for 2025 is no different. Brands are evolving faster than ever, and the dynamism required to grab consumers’ attention and cultivate meaningful connections grows by the day. So what’s the next evolution of branding? And how can you capture it? We’ll look through the lens of signage and examine 5 emerging signage trends for 2025.
(P.S. #5 is the most important one!)
Signs of the Times
While signage is a mature industry, there are constant small innovations that will help make branding a little bit better with each improvement. Evolving technology, consumer preferences, and sourcing considerations will drive these trends. The future of branding will rely heavily on innovative approaches to signage that enhance customer engagement and provide memorable experiences. These implications should be chief of mind for any brands looking to expand brand presence and market share in 2025.
#1 Digital Signage & Interactive Displays
Digital signage is transforming the way brands engage with their audiences. Interactive displays will be at the forefront, allowing customers to engage with content in meaningful ways. Touch screens, augmented reality, and gamification are just a few elements that can enhance the customer experience, making signage not only informative but also entertaining. These interactive features encourage customers to spend more time with the brand, creating a lasting impression.
The use of dynamic displays will also increase, with brands opting for content that changes in real time based on various factors. For example, weather conditions, audience demographics, behavioral patterns, or even social media trends can influence the messaging displayed. This level of adaptability enables businesses to remain relevant and in tune with their audience’s needs and interests. Of course, the integration of artificial intelligence into digital signage will allow for even more sophisticated interactions. AI can analyze those elements noted above to deliver tailored content directly to individual consumers.
#2 Using NFC Tags for Brand Immersion
One interesting innovation is NFC tags. NFC tags, or near frequency communication tags, have been around for a while. Contactless payments are already made with Mobile Wallets like Apple Pay are powered by NFC. In 2024, there are an estimated 1.6 billion devices powered by NFC and the industry is worth an estimated $47 billion. In the last year, NFC tags have become key for brands to integrate personalized digital interactions into onsite experiences.
Essentially NFC tags are small computer chips integrated into signage, stickers, or other physical brand assets. When you bring your phone near them, the power output from your device activates the chip. Your device validates the information the chip sends and then takes you to that information.
Brands can use this to create a customized and immersive experience by communicating directly with consumers’ devices. It’s more cost-effective than physical digital signage and, when integrated with AI, can create a personalized experience.
Brands that want to stay ahead of the curve in 2025 will start to integrate NFC tags into their signage, cultivating interactive experiences at much lower costs.
#3 Nostalgic Design Trends
Minimalism is still having its moment, but in 2025 we’ll start to see more brands that trend toward nostalgic, vintage designs. Interior design often informs brand aesthetics and with a shift away from “sad beige” trends to interiors saturated in colors, textures, and patterns, we’ll start to see similar shifts in signage. Vintage aesthetics capture the blending of these elements perfectly, so more brands will begin to implement these trends in fresh ways in 2025.
We’ll see even more of this in 2025. along with a blending of nostalgia and modernity, like vintage lettering with sleek halo-lit designs.
#4 Bringing Sourcing back to the States
In a 2023 article, the Alliance for American Manufacturing reported that consumers’ enthusiasm for American-made products had increased 5% over the year. Another report from The Vision Council this year indicated that 52% of consumers value the “Made in America” label when shopping.
While these trends are often tracked in B2C settings, we know that purchase decision-makers are often even more emotionally tied to the buying decision they make on behalf of their companies. Brands should consider sourcing materials from American brands to identify with the buying preferences of over half of consumers.
#5 The Consumer as a Brand Character
The most important item to keep in mind throughout these trends is not just brand storytelling, but making your customer a part of your brand story. So any efforts toward greater technology integration are oriented toward engaging customers in digital experiences that connect them to the brand and communicate the larger mission and vision of the brand.
Likewise, sourcing is driven by consumer demand for sustainability, American-made materials, and products manufactured in ways that identify with consumer values. Brand aesthetics capture the design preferences of individual consumers and make the consumers think this is a brand that understands me.
Brands should make the customer, employee, shareholder, or anyone who interacts with the brand feel like they are an important piece of the brand’s larger story to foster loyalty and connection.
The Future of Branding and the Role of Signage in 2025
As we look towards 2025, the future of branding will be intricately tied to the evolution of signage. These 5 trends highlight the importance of adaptability, creativity, and attentiveness to consumers in a rapidly changing landscape. Brands that embrace these changes will be better positioned to connect with their audiences, foster loyalty, and leave a lasting impression. This leads to a more sustainable brand that resonates with consumers in the long term.
Discover how the team at North American Signs can help you integrate the latest design trends into your signage to give your brand a competitive edge!
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