A reflective display device based on frustratable total internal reflection, comprising: a semi-retro-reflective display sheet having a plurality of partially embedded high refractive index transparent convex protrusions to reflect light in a narrow angle relative to the direction of the incident light; a directional front light system comprising: a light source (118, 120) light extractor elements; and a light guide to receive emitted light from the light source and to direct the received light to said light extractor elements, the light extractor elements being configured to direct light in a perpendicular direction toward an outward surface of the semi-retro-reflective display sheet; the reflective display device, further comprising: a transparent front electrode on the surface of the convex protrusions; a rear support; a rear electrode on said rear support; an optically transparent, inert, low refractive index fluid disposed between the front and the rear electrodes; a plurality of electrophoretically mobile particles suspended in the optically transparent fluid; and a voltage source in communication with the front electrode and the rear electrode to selectively move the electrophoretically mobile particles in the fluid; and wherein the light extractor elements cause uniform extraction of light. a semi-retro-reflective display sheet having a plurality of partially embedded high refractive index transparent convex protrusions to reflect light in a narrow angle relative to the direction of the incident light; a directional front light system comprising: a light source (118, 120) light extractor elements; and a light guide to receive emitted light from the light source and to direct the received light to said light extractor elements, the light extractor elements being configured to direct light in a perpendicular direction toward an outward surface of the semi-retro-reflective display sheet; the reflective display device, further comprising: a transparent front electrode on the surface of the convex protrusions; a rear support; a rear electrode on said rear support; an optically transparent, inert, low refractive index fluid disposed between the front and the rear electrodes; a plurality of electrophoretically mobile particles suspended in the optically transparent fluid; and a voltage source in communication with the front electrode and the rear electrode to selectively move the electrophoretically mobile particles in the fluid; and wherein the light extractor elements cause uniform extraction of light. a light source (118, 120) light extractor elements; and a light guide to receive emitted light from the light source and to direct the received light to said light extractor elements, the light extractor elements being configured to direct light in a perpendicular direction toward an outward surface of the semi-retro-reflective display sheet; the reflective display device, further comprising: a transparent front electrode on the surface of the convex protrusions; a rear support; a rear electrode on said rear support; an optically transparent, inert, low refractive index fluid disposed between the front and the rear electrodes; a plurality of electrophoretically mobile particles suspended in the optically transparent fluid; and a voltage source in communication with the front electrode and the rear electrode to selectively move the electrophoretically mobile particles in the fluid; and wherein the light extractor elements cause uniform extraction of light. a transparent front electrode on the surface of the convex protrusions; a rear support; a rear electrode on said rear support; an optically transparent, inert, low refractive index fluid disposed between the front and the rear electrodes; a plurality of electrophoretically mobile particles suspended in the optically transparent fluid; and a voltage source in communication with the front electrode and the rear electrode to selectively move the electrophoretically mobile particles in the fluid; and wherein the light extractor elements cause uniform extraction of light.