Financial institutions are increasingly turning to digital lobby enhancements to modernize customer experiences and improve branch aesthetics. In Fort Worth, Texas, SNA Displays recently completed a significant upgrade for EECU, a credit union with 22 locations across North Texas. The project involved installing custom digital centerpieces at two branches, utilizing the manufacturer’s ACCENT LED lighting sticks to create functional and visual updates to the lobby environments.
The new installations transform standard ATM areas into visually engaging spaces. By using vertical LED strips, the design creates “brand fins” that serve a dual purpose: they beautify the financial centers with dynamic lighting and act as effective LED privacy screens for members using the ATMs.
Functional Art and Digital Privacy Screens
The upgrades at the EECU branches move beyond traditional digital signage by integrating technology directly into the architectural flow of the room. The installations consist of 16 vertical LED strips arranged to form a wall that spans 6 feet 7 inches wide.
While the primary function for customers is privacy, the visual impact is significant. The screens display abstract patterns, color washes and lighting effects designed to mimic flowing air or water. Each stick stands 7 feet 11 inches tall and is equipped with a diffuser. This addition ensures the light pattern is soft and uniformly distributed, avoiding the harsh glare often associated with direct-view LEDs (DVLEDs).
According to the project details, the displays create a cohesive image from a distance. After business hours, these digital lobby enhancements function as an animated billboard, maintaining brand presence even when the branch is closed.
Processing “Empty Pixels” for Seamless Visuals
A key technical differentiator in this project is how the video content is handled across a non-traditional canvas. Unlike a standard rectangular videowall, the ACCENT LED lighting sticks have physical gaps between them.
Tim Allen, director of sales for the central U.S. at SNA Displays, noted that the uniqueness of the installation lies in the technology’s ability to process “empty pixels.”
“These installations process the ’empty pixels,’ the spaces between sticks, providing a seamless visual experience compatible with other dynamic components such as LED and LCD video display technology,” Allen says.
This processing method ensures that video content is not stretched or distorted to fit the strips. Instead, the system accounts for the negative space between the sticks, maintaining spatial accuracy and allowing the human eye to fill in the gaps to perceive a complete image.
Technical Specifications of ACCENT LED Lighting Sticks
The technology used in the EECU branch upgrades is part of SNA Displays’ THRUMEDIA line. The ACCENT LED lighting sticks are designed to bridge the gap between conventional architectural lighting and full-matrix video displays.
Key features of the installation include:
- Pixel Pitch: 10 mm
- Dimensions: 7’11” height by 0.5″ depth
- Control: Individual pixel control for precise video mapping
- Scalability: Sleek form factor allowing for custom spacing and arrangement
The sticks offer a flexible solution for interior designers and architects looking to add digital elements without the bulk or expense of a solid video wall. As demonstrated in the EECU project, these LED elements can be scaled to fit specific architectural needs while providing modern digital utility.
As financial centers continue to evolve from transactional spaces to relationship hubs, the integration of ambient technology like ACCENT LED lighting sticks offers a blueprint for balancing privacy, branding and modern design.
