In an exclusive interview with
Website Planet, Baoli Zhao shared how a simple conversation with a struggling artist sparked the idea behind Vieunite.
What began as a desire to support creatives evolved into Textura Pro—a display that fuses curated fine art with cutting-edge digital canvas technology. Businesses across hospitality, corporate, and educational sectors are now using Vieunite to elevate communication through emotionally resonant, visually stunning content.
With strategic gallery partnerships and a powerful CMS, Vieunite is redefining digital signage—and how we experience both art and messaging.
What inspired Vieunite to combine curated fine art with digital canvas technology through its Textura Pro display, and how does this redefine business communication?
The inspiration actually came from a conversation with a friend of mine who’s a very talented artist. We were catching up over coffee, and she shared how difficult it was to make a living from her work. I was surprised to learn that the average income for artists in the UK is far below the minimum wage—it’s truly a struggle for many of them.
She knew I had been working in digital display technology for over 18 years, particularly in digital signage, like the screens you see in places like McDonald’s displaying menus or ads. She asked, “Why don’t you use your expertise to help artists?” That question sparked something in me.
I started thinking about how I could use digital displays to support artists while also bringing value to businesses. Over time, digital screens have become so common that people often ignore them—they’re everywhere, and the novelty has worn off. But what if we could combine the emotional impact of curated fine art with digital signage?
That’s where the idea for Vieunite and the Textura Pro came from. It’s a way to help artists share and monetize their work, support galleries in reaching a broader audience, and at the same time, allow businesses to communicate in a more meaningful and visually engaging way. It’s about blending artistry with commercial messaging to redefine how we experience both.
How does the Texture‑Accurate LCD in Textura Pro faithfully replicate artwork texture and detail, and why is this important for audience engagement?
Absolutely. You’ve probably noticed that when artwork is displayed on typical computer monitors or TV screens, it doesn’t really feel like real art. Most screens have a glossy, glassy surface that reflects light, which takes away from the authenticity of the piece.
With Textura Pro, we wanted to create a display that closely mimics the texture and feel of real artwork. To achieve this, the LCD panel uses a matte finish instead of a glossy one, reducing reflections and preserving the natural look of the piece.
Additionally, we developed specialized hardware and software that can recognize and replicate the texture of the canvas and the brush strokes. By understanding the weave of the canvas and the finish of the paint, the screen can faithfully reproduce the subtle details and depth of real art.
This texture-accurate display is crucial for audience engagement because it gives viewers the sense that they’re looking at an authentic piece of art. That authenticity creates a stronger emotional connection and makes the display much more impactful.
Can you explain how the Vieunite Pro Portal CMS enables remote management of content playlists, including art, promotional messaging, and internal communications?
When we designed the Vieunite Pro Portal CMS, simplicity was our top priority. Whether you’re a hotel manager organizing a single screen in your lobby or running a large retail chain with hundreds of screens, the system is built to be easy and intuitive.
Our platform allows even non-technical users to effortlessly schedule and manage playlists that combine curated art, promotional messages, and internal communications—all in one place. It’s basically plug-and-play: you just click, send, and the content is updated instantly.
Inside the portal, users have access to an extensive master-class art collection with over 300,000 pieces. They can easily search and filter artwork by color, theme, gallery, or genre to find exactly what fits their brand or space. Then, with a simple click, they can publish their chosen content to any screen they manage.
What strategic advantages do your partnerships with galleries like the Estorick Collection and Art Institute of Chicago provide for clients using Vieunite?
Absolutely. Content is everything. We want to provide our clients with the best possible art, not just a basic display with limited options. By partnering with prestigious galleries like the Estorick Collection, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the National Gallery of Scotland, we give our customers access to a vast selection of world-class artworks.
For example, if a hotel lobby displays a master-class piece of art from one of these renowned institutions, it not only enhances the ambiance but also elevates the brand’s prestige. These partnerships provide our clients with exclusive, high-quality content that serves as a powerful strategic asset to boost their brand image.
That’s the core reason we collaborate with such esteemed galleries — to offer our customers the very best both in content and brand impact.
How have businesses in hospitality, corporate, and educational sectors—such as Keble College’s HB Allen Centre—benefited from incorporating Vieunite Pro into guest and employee experience?
Certainly. One of the most important benefits is how Vieunite Pro enhances communication and engagement across different sectors like hospitality, corporate, and education.
In corporate settings, internal communication can be a real challenge. Companies often rely on emails or printed posters to share messages, but these methods are easily ignored. By combining curated art with internal messaging on dynamic digital displays, messages reach team members more effectively and in a more engaging way.
For hospitality, such as hotels, guests experience a much richer environment. Instead of generic or low-quality decor, they see beautiful, carefully curated art, which elevates their overall experience and leaves a lasting impression.
Regarding education, Keble College’s HB Allen Centre at the University of Oxford is a great example. The historic architecture combined with stunning digital art creates a unique and memorable experience for visitors and students alike, adding significant value to the institution’s brand.
Looking ahead, what new features or industry integrations are you planning to enhance the role of Vieunite Pro as a transformative UX and CX communication medium?
Great question. Currently, our hardware offering is a 27-inch display, which suits many environments well. However, for larger spaces like hotel lobbies, a 27-inch screen can feel too small. That’s why we’re developing a larger 55-inch version, set to launch by the end of the year, to better serve those open areas.
On the software side, we already offer access to a curated collection of over 300,000 artworks from prestigious galleries. Moving forward, instead of limiting this content to our own platform, we plan to open up our assets via API to third-party digital signage software providers. This way, their customers can also benefit from our extensive art library.
Looking further ahead, we aim to partner with various hardware manufacturers—such as TV and laptop makers—so our artwork can be integrated as screensavers or display content across a wide range of devices. This is part of our long-term vision to make Vieunite Pro a truly transformative medium for user and customer experience communication.
Find out more at:
www.vieunite.com
