20 Creative Billboards That You Need to See
3D Billboards
These billboards incorporate 3D effects to recreate the depth of a real-world object. Oftentimes, they use holograms or dynamic animations, which can be viewed from multiple angles and seem to pop out of the screen.
However, some 3D billboards use tangible displays, such as sculptures and other props to create depth.
1. Cat 3D LED Billboard
Located at Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, Japan, this 155-square-foot 3D curved billboard has become a popular tourist destination. This cutting-edge technology allows people to see 3D effects without special glasses and in broad daylight, too.
Although the giant calico cat is a crowd favorite, the billboard also shows other popular anime characters, including those from *Dragon Ball*, *One Piece*, and *Pokémon*.
The billboard’s content is updated frequently, from ads promoting local festivals and concerts to global brands such as Nike and Louis Vuitton.
2. Netflix’s Army of the Dead 3D Billboard
This 3D billboard was installed in central London in 2021 to promote *Army of The Dead*, a zombie-themed film starring Dave Bautista and Ella Purnell.
The billboard featured a 3D zombie tiger that appeared to step out from the ruins of post-apocalyptic Las Vegas. Renowned visual effects artist Marcus Taormina and his team tracked the movements of tigers at Big Cat Rescue to create animations that were both chilling and captivating.
3. Coca-Cola Robotic LED Billboard
Considered as the world’s first 3D robotic billboard, this Coca-Cola sign in Times Square, Manhattan, New York City is made of 1,960 moving and static LED cubes that produce this captivating three-dimensional coordinated effect.
The electro-kinetic sculpture-cum-billboard measured 210.22 m² (2262 ft² 117 in²) and could detect inclement weather conditions and temperature changes.
4. Infinity LED Wall by Nexen and D’strict
South Korean tire manufacturer Nexen commissioned D’strict to create a 30-meter wide and 7-meter high LED video wall that combined visual arts and technological innovations. The billboard was installed in the company’s main headquarters in Seoul, and it showed dynamic content, including a captivating waterfall and a multicolored tornado that transformed into different figures.
5. HBO’s House of the Dragon 3D Billboard
Although Times Square is peppered with 3D billboards, the one promoting HBO’s popular TV series *House of the Dragon* easily became a crowd favorite.
The billboard used naked-eye 3D technology, allowing viewers to enjoy dynamic animations, including a fire-breathing dragon that looked like it would fly out of the screen.
Interactive Billboards
Interactive billboards allow viewers to interact with the content through various technologies, including touchscreens, motion sensors, augmented reality (AR), and QR codes, just to name a few.
Although increased audience engagement is one of the goals of interactive billboards, they also allow marketers to collect data about how people interact with the content. This way, they can improve marketing campaigns in the future.
6. The Economist’s “Lightbulb” Billboard
Installed in 2005 by the renowned advertising agency BBDO, this minimalistic yet thought-provoking billboard featured a giant lightbulb on a bold red background.
The creative media design company used electronic motion sensors that caused the light bulb to illuminate as people walked in front of the interactive billboard. The design did not include any images or texts except *The Economist* logo.
7. British Airways Digital Billboard
In 2013, British Airways installed two digital billboards in London featuring a child who pointed his finger every time an airplane flew across the sky.
The signs were equipped with a surveillance system designed to track actual planes, ensuring that the video synchronized with them. The billboards also displayed the flight number and origin of a British Airways plane flying across the sky.
8. Netflix’s Daredevil Billboard
In 2016, Netflix installed an outdoor billboard at Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square to promote *Daredevil* and encouraged fans on social media to “Join The Fight” by tweeting with the hashtag #DAREDEVIL, #PUNISHER, or #ELEKTRA, depending on their favorite character.
The character who received the most mentions would then “attack” the other characters, causing their images to have bruises, cuts, and bullet holes. The billboards were updated every 48 hours to illustrate the “damage.”
9. Reebok’s Speed Test Campaign
As part of their campaign to promote *ZPump 2.0* shoes, Reebok installed an interactive billboard in Stockholm designed to challenge pedestrians to run as fast as they could.
The interactive billboard used movement-tracking technology combined with a speed camera, and Reebok gave away new trainers to those who could beat the set time, which was 10.5 miles per hour.
10. KitKat’s Massage-Giving Billboard
KitKat’s famous slogan *“Have a break”* was the main inspiration for the massage-giving billboards installed at bus shelters in Bogota, Colombia.
When people leaned against these interactive signs, they activated built-in motors that produced pleasant vibrations. To make it even more interactive, local commuters could find these massage kiosks by typing in words like *“tired”* and *“stressed”* on Google Maps.
Artistic Billboards
These billboards focus on displaying creative and visually stunning content, instead of solely promoting products and services. As a result, they often feature unique and imaginative designs, intricate patterns, and vibrant colors.
11. Panasonic’s Creative Nose Hair Trimmer Billboard
In this billboard, Panasonic incorporated the cityscape, specifically the dangling cables and wires that were made to look like unsightly nose hair.
Designed by ad agency Saatchi & Saatchi Indonesia, the billboards promoted the Panasonic nose hair trimmer, especially its safety cutting feature.
12. BIC Razor’s Grass-Cutting Billboard
This creative outdoor sign for BIC razors proves that using ordinary landscape combined with a bit of creativity can deliver interesting and memorable visual effects.
The actual billboard only served as a backdrop for the giant-sized razor surrounded by freshly cut grass that resembled the appearance of a clean shave.
13. McDonald’s and Burger King’s Billboard Rivalry
This McDonald’s billboard used a humorous approach against Burger King, one of its biggest competitors.
The lighthearted rivalry and playful tone generated a lot of attention from customers. Although it was a risky move to mention one’s business rival, this billboard campaign was a success because it generated a lot of buzz without being offensive.
14. IKEA Christmas Campaign
Home furnishings retailer IKEA has always been known for its quirky and creative oversized billboards.
This holiday-themed outdoor sign used furniture pieces arranged in a way that spelled out the word *“JOY.”* The props created a nice 3D effect while featuring the company’s products.
15. Formula Toothpaste Billboard
Designed by Ogilvy and Mather, *“The Bite”* billboard successfully delivered a clear and simple message: The *Formula Tooth Care* brand can help strengthen teeth.
Advocacy-Related Billboards
These billboards are primarily designed to raise awareness, encourage support, or inspire action toward issues such as human rights, mental health, equality, hunger, climate change, animal welfare, and education.
Advocacy-focused billboards rarely promote products or services, or if they do, they typically do it in a discreet manner to avoid putting viewers off.
16. Women’s Aid Interactive Billboard
Launched by Women’s Aid, the *Look At Me* interactive billboard showed a close-up image of a woman’s face covered in bruises.
Interestingly, when people stopped by to look at the model’s face, the swelling and marks would slowly fade away. By contrast, the bruised face would reappear if no one was looking at the billboard.
This interactive outdoor sign was equipped with facial recognition technology to detect when people stopped and looked at the screen.
The message of this billboard is loud and clear: We can help victims of domestic abuse by not turning a blind eye.
17. Dogs Trust Billboard Covered With Plush Toys
To help raise awareness of the growing problem of dog smuggling trade, the dog welfare organization *Dogs Trust* installed a giant billboard covered with 750 plush toy puppies, which passersby could take home for free.
Once all the plushies were gone, a message warning the public about the dog smuggling trade could be seen.
18. Road Safety Billboard for NZ Transport Agency
Some people think they can forego the use of seatbelts when they sit in the backseat.
Unfortunately, this misconception caused a lot of serious injuries and deaths that could have been prevented if only people were better educated about seatbelt safety.
To demonstrate the danger of not wearing safety belts in the backseat and in turn encourage people to wear them regardless of where they are seated inside the car, the *New Zealand Transport Agency* installed a billboard featuring a rear seat that was attached to a giant slingshot.
19. Wave of Waste Billboard
To raise awareness about marine pollution, beer brand *Corona* commissioned a billboard called the *“Wave of Waste”* that incorporated actual plastic waste collected in the UK.
Australian actor *Chris Hemsworth* was also featured in the billboard, surfing on the towering wave of plastic waste.
20. Road Safety Billboard for the Colorado State Patrol
The *Colorado State Patrol* used a chilling and visually striking billboard to demonstrate the danger of tailgating.
Featuring an image of a car colliding with the back end of a truck, the pleated and torn sign really made a lasting impact on the viewers’ minds.
