Abstract: Compact powered devices are provided. The powered devices include a substrate, a battery, an activation element and an output device in electrical or optical communication. The compact powered device can be a card that, when subjected to an outside influence or stimulus, displays a message or illumination. The illumination can be circumscribed within a graphical design of the card. The card can be a gift card, a loyalty card, a novelty card, a financial card, an identification card or a smart card. The output device can be a light guide film that distributes light from an illumination device such as an LED which, when activated, illuminates a side of the light guide film. The output device is configured to display a number, a graphic, a logo, or another pattern or message in response to the stimulus.