NEW YORK, Nov. 5, 2015– Today, at the Xlab 2015 Conference presented by the Society for Experiential Graphic Design (SEGD), Planar Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: PLNR), a global leader in display and digital signage technology, announced it is sponsoring the first-ever Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) transparent display design competition, created to stimulate innovative uses of this breakthrough display technology.
The Clear Concept Awards competition, co-sponsored by the SEGD and Digital Signage Expo (DSE) along with Planar Systems, is designed to encourage inspiring new applications for see-through installations, which represent the next wave of digital signage. The grand prize winner of the contest will receive an expenses-paid trip for two to Las Vegas to attend DSE 2016, and will be honored with an award and participation in a panel luncheon celebrating his or her work. The winner also will receive a newly debuted Planar® LookThru™ OLED transparent display for his or her own studio or showroom use.
The design contest comes as Planar Systems debuts its Planar LookThru OLED transparent display, a breakthrough product that creates a new category for see-through displays. The first-of-its-kind 55-inch transparent display utilizes cutting-edge OLED technology, overcoming one of the major hurdles to transparent LCD display adoption by making it possible to create truly see-through installations unobstructed by backlights or enclosures.
“Transparent displays have captured the imagination of filmmakers, futurists and designers for decades,” said Jennifer Davis, vice president of marketing and product strategy at Planar Systems. “This design competition celebrates that ingenuity and provides opportunities for professionals and students alike to imagine new applications for transparent displays, expressing themselves in activated glass.”
Entrants to the Clear Concept Awards must submit a sketch or rendering that demonstrates a specific use of an OLED transparent display that is both technically feasible and illustrates creative innovation. Submissions must also include a sketch or sample of the on-screen content and user experience. The contest is open to all U.S. residents excluding employees of Planar Systems, SEGD and DSE.
The deadline for submissions is January 8, 2016. Winners will be selected by a panel of select judges that includes:
- Design Director at Stimulant, Nathan Moody
- Editor of Digital Signage Today, Christopher Hall
- Design Director at Downstream, Brian James
- Director of Experience Design at Digital Kitchen, Anthony Vitagliano
- Senior Vice President at Technomedia, Dan Moalli
- Vice President at MHTN Architects, Robert Pinon
Winners will be announced on March 16, 2016 at the Digital Signage Expo APEX Awards Reception in Las Vegas, with all finalists and honorable mentions featured on the Planar Systems website.
Already, the design community is embracing the Planar LookThru OLED transparent display, planning never-before-possible applications that appeal to customers across a broad range of industries. “Transparent displays hold exciting promise for the experience design community,” said Darren David, founder and CEO of Stimulant, a San Francisco-based interactive and design development studio. “Our clients are looking to push the envelope of technology, and this new transparent OLED offering from Planar suits many of these projects. The Planar LookThru OLED transparent display offers a truly unique visual presentation that lets us create highly differentiated and standout experiences for our clients.”
Complete information about the Clear Concept Awards competition is available at www.planar.com/ClearConcept. Watch a video to learn more about the innovative new Planar LookThru OLED transparent display or visit www.planar.com/LookThruOLED.
About Planar
Planar Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: PLNR) is a global leader in display and digital signage technology, providing premier solutions for the world’s most demanding environments. Retailers, educational institutions, government agencies, businesses, utilities and energy firms, and home theater enthusiasts all depend on Planar to provide superior performance when image experience is of the highest importance. Planar video walls, large format LCD displays, interactive touch screen monitors and many other solutions are used by the world’s leading organizations in applications ranging from digital signage to simulation and from interactive kiosks to large-scale data visualization. Founded in 1983, Planar is headquartered in Oregon, USA, with offices, manufacturing partners and customers worldwide. For more information, visit www.planar.com.
