7 Billboard Design Hacks Every Brand Should Know

Imagine cruising down the motorway, minding your own business, when a billboard pops up with a message so bold and clever that you can’t help but remember it. That’s the magic of outdoor advertising! It commands people’s attention better than a lot of other forms of media, and if done right, can leave a lasting impression.

At Shout Media, we’re pros at placing billboards that stand out and stick. Ready to learn the tricks for a great creative? Here’s our top list of billboard design hacks every brand needs.

1. Keep It Simple and Bold

With drivers having only around 6 seconds to take in your message, you want to keep things sharp and snappy. Overloading a billboard with too much information or visuals is like trying to read a novel at a green light; it's not happening! Clarity and simplicity are everything in creating an ad that actually gets noticed.

Choose a bold, straightforward message and let it take centre stage. Keep it clean, keep it clear, and make sure your audience gets the point without delay. One powerful idea, front and centre, is a lot of what it takes for effective billboards.

2. Use High-Contrast Colours

Colour is your best friend in billboard advertising, but only if you use it right. High-contrast colours are key to making sure your message doesn’t get lost, especially from a distance or in shifting sunlight. Think of contrast as the megaphone for your message, which is why combos like black on yellow and white on red are some of the most eye-catching choices in billboard design.

3. Focus on a Single, Striking Image

People process visuals 60,000 times faster than words, so a well-chosen image is your billboard’s best friend. A bold, impactful picture goes beyond just grabbing attention. It practically shouts your brand’s message in a way that sticks.

Choose an image that’s unmistakably relevant to your business or campaign. Avoid anything too detailed or tiny, which might look like a mystery blob from a distance. Instead, go for a close-up or high-contrast graphic that stands proudly on its own and communicates your message loud and clear, even as people whiz by.

4. Make Your Brand Unmistakable

In billboard design, think of your branding as the main character. It should be bold, instantly recognisable, and impossible to miss! With a few seconds to make an impression, your logo, brand colours, and slogan need to stand out at a glance, reinforcing that all-important brand identity. People should spot your ad and know, right away, who’s talking.

A well-placed logo or a splash of your signature colours can be all it takes to make your company stick in someone’s mind. Keeping things clean, sharp, and uncluttered makes it easy for the audience to connect your message with your brand.

5. Leverage Humour or Emotion

A billboard that makes people feel something is a billboard they remember. Funny or emotional billboard designs are like conversation starters, giving your business a way to connect on a more personal level. With a clever line or a smile-inducing image, your advertising can make someone’s day a bit brighter, all while embedding your brand in their memory.

Take Coca-Cola, for instance. Its feel-good billboards create a sense of joy, while McDonald’s often makes us chuckle. These ads do more than sell. They deliver a message that resonates personally, helping the brand stand out long after people have moved on. When packed with personality, a good billboard design can capture attention and keep your brand front and centre, no matter where your audience is headed.

6. Include a Clear Call to Action

In billboard advertising, a strong call to action (CTA) is like a friendly nudge saying, 'Here’s what to do next!' Whether it’s 'Visit us online,' 'Stop by today,' or 'Call now,' a quick and clear CTA makes it easy for viewers to act on the message.

The best billboard design places the CTA so it’s visible but not overwhelming, keeping things clean and actionable. This approach invites real engagement with the company and gives the audience a straightforward next step, boosting both visibility and impact.

7. Keep Testing and Evolving Your Designs

A great billboard design is a living thing. It grows, it changes, and it keeps getting better. Regularly measuring the success of different billboard designs allows you to refine and adjust your approach. A/B testing, trying different layouts, colours, or messages, can reveal what really strikes a chord with your audience, letting you tweak your future designs for maximum impact.

Outdoor advertising is always evolving, so keeping up with trends and feedback helps your billboards stay fresh and engaging. By refining your designs over time, your ads become more responsive to audience tastes, ultimately making your advertising strategy even more successful.

Ready to Create Your Own Unforgettable Billboards?

Billboards can be a powerhouse in advertising, with the ability to command attention and leave a lasting impression in just a few seconds. From keeping it simple and bold to using high-contrast colours and focusing on emotion, the billboard design hacks in this article are all about creating impact.

Based in Auckland, Shout Media is all about innovative, head-turning designs that help brands shine. No matter if you're looking to create a single impactful ad or an extensive billboard campaign, we know how to make your message memorable, reach your target audience, and boost your brand’s presence.

Ready to get started? Partner with us for eye-catching mobile or digital billboards that will make your brand unforgettable!