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Various elementary and middle school campus locations in the greater San Jose area, California
September, 2018 - August, 2020
10mm and 5mm Outdoor SMD LED Displays
In the fast-paced educational environment of San Jose, California, effective communication is critical. When the San Jose Unified School District (SJUSD) needed to modernize their signage across five key campuses, they turned to Ad Art Electronics.
The project scope was ambitious: design, build, and install a mix of new monument signs with integrated LED screens and wall-mounted LED displays. The upgrades targeted five specific locations: Bachrodt Academy, Castillero Middle School, Galarza Elementary, Gardner Elementary, and Williams Elementary.
However, bringing high-tech digital signage to established school grounds is rarely straightforward. Ad Art Electronics faced a gauntlet of logistical and technical challenges—and overcame them through smart engineering and precise coordination.
The project launched with a tight budget and strict deadlines. Ad Art Electronics adopted a "work smarter" philosophy, streamlining their fabrication and installation processes to maximize value without cutting corners. By optimizing their workflow, they delivered premium digital solutions that fit the district’s financial and time constraints.
Every site presented a hurdle: existing signage had to be removed before new installations could begin. This required more than just demolition; it required orchestration. The Ad Art design staff worked in lockstep with SJUSD facilities staff to ensure the transition was safe and smooth. This close coordination ensured that school operations were not disrupted and that the sites were perfectly prepped for the new hardware.
One of the most complex technical hurdles was the existing infrastructure. The schools had specific power and data conditions that could not be easily overhauled. Rather than demanding expensive electrical upgrades, Ad Art designed their systems to work within these constraints. Careful thought was put into engineering displays that were energy-efficient and compatible with the schools' current power and data grids, saving the district significant infrastructure costs.
Several of the chosen locations faced direct sunlight—the enemy of digital displays. Standard screens often appear "washed out" or unreadable when hit by high ambient light, particularly affecting black and dark colors.
To solve this, Ad Art Electronics implemented a high-contrast solution. They utilized LED modules equipped with specially designed and coated masks (louvers). These masks shade the individual LED diodes from the sun while allowing the light to project outward, ensuring the text remains crisp and the blacks remain deep, even on the brightest San Jose afternoons.
Finally, the hardware needed a brain. The district required a system that was easy to use and accessible from anywhere. Ad Art provided a robust, web-based Content Management System (CMS). This allows school administrators to update messages, emergency alerts, and event notifications remotely, ensuring that the screens are always current without requiring a physical presence at the sign.
By balancing technical innovation with logistical expertise, Ad Art Electronics transformed the visual landscape of these five schools. The San Jose Unified School District now possesses a reliable, high-visibility communication network that serves students, parents, and staff effectively.
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Ad Art Electronics is a division of Ad Art Inc. Their primary focus is delivering reliable and performant digital signs to various markets. As a system integrator that is part of a full service sign company, Ad Art Electronics Division is prepared to handle any project, large or small. Their commitment is to their customer's complete satisfaction during the life cycle of their digital sign.
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