Neon signs have been a fixture of global architecture since the late 19th century. It is estimated that there are over 25,000 neon signs pink on the planet, which illuminate night-time cityscapes and public spaces. And while neon signage has continually evolved to meet contemporary needs and tastes, these ten global trends in neon sign design make perfect sense as we head into 2020.
One fascinating trend is a return to retro styles of term in neon signage, but with updated materials such as LED technology for added sustainability and energy efficiency. In fact, LED technology is so prevalent in neon signage that there are now entire sites on the internet dedicated to modern neon signs.
In recent years, neon signs have begun to make a comeback, but not exclusively on the streets of cities. Insiders have been realizing that it is possible to create a custom neon sign for any occasion or event. Neon sign design website masterofneons.com offers one such project: a 1,000-pound neon sign designed with a specific purpose in mind. The custom design was created by the firm Urban Works of Dublin and incorporated into an interior design assignment at a high-end residential building project at Marcus Island, Dubai.
The art and craft of neon signage has never been more popular, with a number of artists creating stunning and sometimes bizarre designs. From classic robots to unicorns, neon can be found on everything from canvas to wood objects. And while neon is not the most versatile material when it comes to light, the design of LED lights can give neon signs the unique light they need.
Neon signs are often associated with the ’50s and the heyday of pop art. New designs, however, are moving away from traditional, round shapes to more complex geometric shapes. One example is the recently designed neon Neonsign by Sonnenschoen in London. The site-specific design, which measures 2m x 1m x 1m and weighs in at 3.6 tons, has a highly geometric shape that was inspired by the building’s original facade and surrounding architecture.
Another global trend to keep an eye on is retrofuturism and its influence on glass blowing techniques and neon sign design. Since the 1940s, neon signs and glass blowing techniques have been used together to create some of the greatest public works of art of all time, including the iconic font Comerica Bank Tower in Dallas, Texas. In late 2015, a special exhibit at the National Building Museum in Washington D.C., showcased a number of different examples and concepts that blend retrofuturism with neon sign design.
Given that neon lighting uses no less than 30% more energy than standard bulbs, it is not surprising that these days there has been a lot of research into eco-friendly options for neon sign design. One of the most innovative developments to come of this has been the use of LED lights in neon signage to maintain the classic aesthetic while also saving on energy. This has opened up new possibilities for businesses and public buildings alike.
One reason why neon is making a comeback is that it allows businesses to create a unique identity and branding strategy, at a fraction of the cost that it would take to create something from scratch. In fact, any business can have their logo or name recreated in neon. On top of that, there are actually companies out there which offer completely design-free services, allowing businesses to select from an array of existing designs or create something completely new for their location.
So what’s next for the neon sign trend? It remains to be seen whether or not these unique signs will continue to capture the imagination of business owners and design lovers, but one thing is for certain—no matter where you are, there is always going to be a place that makes you want to stop and check out the neon.
Several years ago, an LED light was created specifically for retrofuturist neon signs. In a very limited capacity, it was in turn able to become part of the planet’s atmosphere by lighting up the night sky. People have been able to see this new kind of lighting displayed above the skies of many cities around the globe via mobile apps.
When you are shopping around for a neon sign design or renovation package, you are likely to come across several companies which offer an installation service as part of their offering. While this may seem like an obvious choice to some, there are actually many companies out there which do not offer this service, instead allowing business owners to take care of any necessary preparations for the signage installation themselves. This can be a good thing for some, as custom-designing a neon sign often requires special and advanced skills.
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