It’s all about messages that get heard and stand out from a flood of information. Always on the lookout for new ways to do visual communication, this year’s viscom frankfurt will once again offer a platform for the “rebels” and innovators of the industry. From 2 to 4 November 2016, first-timers will showcase their creative ideas – anything from a printable panel heating system to futuristic 3D and intelligent signage solutions to nanotechnology developed specially for the advertising market – in a dedicated forum in Hall 8. For the eighth time in a row, the area is sponsored by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi), which supports trade fair participation by young, innovative companies.
Open Monitor by the University of Münster and PolyTaksys (Source: Global Innovations Germany)Open Monitor works. It looks like a sticker and adheres to things like takeaway coffee cups. Once the top tab has been peeled off, the label-like sticker reveals information such as a prize code. But not immediately, only in a few days. Thanks to a message letting them know what to expect, users won’t throw away the cup straight away; instead, they’ll keep it until the promised information becomes visible. That way, advertisers can control the timing of when to incentivise customers to return to the POS. Open Monitor was developed by the University of Münster and is being produced and introduced into the market by PolyTaksys. Patented in 137 countries, this nanotechnology product reveals data at a specific point in time. Open Monitor can be affixed to virtually any product or used as a standalone card. It works without batteries and is tamper-proof.
Mobile panel heating system FRAME by thermofer® GmbH (Source: ©Jörn Wolter_thermofer©)Another new product is the mobile panel heating system FRAME by thermofer® GmbH. The infrared heating element has been integrated into an elegant aluminium frame fitted with a printable polyester fabric that’s easy to exchange. The innovative system can be mounted to a wall or displayed on a freestanding pedestal. Thanks to the printable fabric, it turns into a high-impact advertising vehicle with changing motifs. The system enables users to create local heating zones, for example for a seating area at the POS, with an effective built-in display system.
While thermofer® is primarily focused on developing interior solutions, LUXGLAS Technology GmbH from Altdorf near Nuremberg supplies a product specifically for outdoor use: 1.50 metres wide and 2.10 metres high, the waterproof LUXGLAS AQUA LED display case can be evenly illuminated either as a TFT solution or with a 3,800 Lux NANO LED panel. A clamping system makes it easy to mount the posters or backlit film to be displayed in-between the viewing screen made from ESG safety glass and the LED panel. The frameless viewing screen’s sturdy aluminium frame and ceramic mount are customisable.
Sensape GmbH, one the leading providers of interactive digital signage, will introduce a new solution for the retail industry. Still in the testing phase, the augmented reality application developed specially for Mondelez playfully draws the attention of store visitors and encourages them to pick up a specific product. An optical recognition algorithm detects the package and offers up discount coupons or matching recipe ideas. Alternatively, additional augmented reality elements might be used to pull customers even further into the world of the respective brand. Sensape works without proprietary radio technologies such as beacons or NFC.
Working not just with augmented but also with virtual reality, the creative agency Dingsbums from Osnabrück is set to present a range of different VR solutions. IntelliSpot from Heppenheim will highlight their virtual presenter “vPromoter”, which is able to futuristically project products in all shapes and sizes with hologram effects. Similarly creative 3D solutions are offered by ds.Xpress from Bargteheide, whose DREAMOC™ brand marries 3D productions with state-of-the-art technologies.
Speaking of modern technologies: ORBITVU, the specialist for automated 2D, 360° and 3D product photography, offers compact solutions perfectly attuned to the demands of online product presentations. By contrast, LiveReach® by Gorilla GmbH is a cloud-based, highly scalable software and hardware system which can be deployed to visualise, disseminate and analyse brand-relevant user-generated content. Stoerkens GmbH, meanwhile, is best at conveying unique brand content. The Bavarian startup’s lovingly produced “Explainr” explanatory videos are made in cooperation with distinguished film and television screenwriters.
It goes without saying that the young innovators are also busy reinventing packaging. Paper Addicts GmbH is one the companies with exciting ideas. The young company from Berlin develops custom packaging solutions, most of which are produced by hand. From wheat beer cups to super cups, the digital printing experts at Cup to Drink from Dreieich specialise in customising reusable cups. SEWPER Steffen Marks Dienstleistungen offers automatic sewing machines and feeder systems for banner sewing and plans sewing machine pools and automated production for flat welting, tent welts, fleece/Velcro tape, to name but a few applications. Rounding off the range of young, innovative companies is Ort & Kolb KG, a manufacturer of screen and digital printing products and supplier of advertising systems.
www.viscom-messe.com
