The best displays masterfully combine curiosity, a powerful message, and memorability.

When we released our Definitive Guide to Retail Signage earlier this year, we were caught off guard by how much attention the post got.

After all, it’s an almost 3,000 words guide on all things retail signage. So who knew it would rank with some of our most popular posts for the year?

On a separate note, a few months later BMW USA released a demo of their new Times Square 3D billboard.

This got our team thinking; with retail displays, signage, and billboards all overlapping in a Venn diagram of sorts, what are some of the most creative, dynamic, and strangest displays and billboards?

And what can we learn from how the masters combine curiosity, a powerful message, and memorability?

Well, lucky for you we compiled them into an easy-to-browse list. Enjoy!

Our retail environment design team turns ideas into custom retail fixtures, displays, and environments.

And as one of Canada’s largest custom fixture and display manufacturers, we will help you strategize, design, and deliver on all of your retail fixture needs. If you need help with your next project, contact our team to get a project plan and quote.

EDINA REALTY’S “REALTY BOXES”

BY MNFX

To build the billboard, MNFX fabricated everything out of solid materials and covered them with weather-resistant artwork to create the illusion of actual cardboard.

MCDONALD’S “FRESH SALADS”

BY LEO BURNETT CHICAGO

Creating a billboard out of organic plant life?  Sure.  What better way to communicate freshness?

MEXICO TOURISM BOARD’S “SNOW GRAFFITI”

BY LAPIZ

After an unexpected spring snowstorm rocked Chicago, Mexico Tourism Board’s agency, Lapiz hired the local street artist NosE Lanariz to whip up a few billboards made up of the cold white stuff.

KOLESTON’S “CHANGE”

BY LEO BURNETT

Strategically placed on a busy Lebanese promenade, backed by a lake and setting sun, the die-cut billboard allows the backlit light to change the hair colour.

TYROLIT’S “THE ICONIC RUST BILLBOARD”

BY HEIMAT WIEN

Over time, what started as a mysterious pure sheet of metal displaying the TYROLIT logo slowly revealed its true message. Within 30 days, the billboard was transformed with rust leaving only the iconic shape of TYROLIT’s Iceline knife and the Headline: FLAWLESS. FOREVER.

CALGARY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL’S “CRYING”

BY WAX

This billboard was part of a more extensive media campaign showing different creatives crying over the fact they didn’t get accepted to the film festival. Containing a built-in water feature, the featured man could now cry over his dashed hopes and dreams, presumably, forever.

BIC RAZOR’S “LAWN SHAVING”

An oldie but a goodie. It’s unclear who developed the campaign, but Bic supposedly placed this in Japan as a bit of guerilla marketing.

BBC WORLD’S “CORNERS: WOMAN”

BY BBDO NEW YORK

Like the BMW 3D display featured at the top of this post, it takes the right location to play the angles and make the impact. But having done so, they played the angles and made an impact.

DON’T IGNORE THE TOTAL IMPACT

You could quickly look at this list and consider investing in creative, high-impact displays and billboards as an attention grab (and a short-lived one).

However, if you look at the simple fact that the more attention-worthy something is, the more it cuts through the overcrowded market, it’s easier to justify the investment.

When done right, press, social media coverage, and organic reach booms. 

Not to mention the intangible brand and cultural boost you get from being seen as a creative leader. A brand that stands out.  

If you need help with your next project, retail display, fixture, or environment, contact our team to get a project plan and quote.