Brightness and contrast enhancement of direct view emissive displays

Emissive displays are disclosed that include a plurality of independently operable light emitters that emit light through one or more transmissive layers. The emissive displays further include elements disposed between the light emitters and the transmissive layers to frustrate total internal reflections that can occur at one or more of the interfaces created by the transmissive layers, such as at an interface between the light emitter and a transmissive layer or at an interface between a transmissive layer and air. By frustrating total internal reflections, the brightness of the emissive display can be enhanced. Elements for frustrating total internal reflections include volume diffusers, surface diffusers, microstructures, and combinations of these or other suitable elements.