How the popularity of neon signage has spread…

What do you think of when you hear the term neon? Many would picture old American movies with the flashing neon signs at motels, or the different signs that light up the strip at Las Vegas. Neon has always been used to draw the eye, its earliest implementations used only by those who could afford its high price tag.

In more modern times, neon has evolved in its uses, no longer a product just for those with deep pockets, or for large installations. Neon has become vastly popular among artists, with their ideas being turned into neon creations. It has also grown in its use by visual merchandising, or ‘VM’ Companies for events and pop up shops.

Neon’s evolution has been  an interesting one. It started off as a tool used for experiments in laboratories, before being discovered as a method of lighting. Its use within signage began at the heights of society due to its price tag, before its red light became known as a symbol for some of the less reputable areas within a city. However when the possibility of alternative colours was discovered, neon changed once more into not just a way of advertising, but an art form.

Musician’s, artists, architects and businesses are now turning to neon for use in their spaces. It has warm glow that cannot be matched. The hand bent method of manufacture removes the coldness that comes from mass produced machine made alternatives and guarantees that every single shape, letter or outline produced has a slight differences that make each piece unique. Neon has also become popular in the celebrity sphere, with icons like Elton John and comedian’s like Keith Lemon having neon signs custom made for their uses.

A neon sign is a unique way to express your creativity and when used correctly with your colour scheme, it can bring an office space or home room to life. As each neon sign or art piece starts its life out as a series of hollow glass tubes that are then heated and shaped into its desired form, it can be used to recreate almost any shape, design, word or logo and is with this versatility, it truly is no wonder that the popularity of neon has continued to grow throughout the years.

Top 10 Facts About Neon

Neon was first discovered in its elemental form in 1898 and in less than 20 years it was used not just as a scientific tool, but as a product. The first demonstration of neon in a modern form was in December 1910, by a man called Georges Claude at the Paris Motor Show, who displayed two 12 metre long tubes filled with the gas. From that point, the world has been fascinated with neon and its popularity and uses have evolved over the many years. In today’s world neon signage is not just a decorative piece, or something to enhance your business space, it is a way of expressing yourself and adding a creative feel to your space.

Take a look at these top 10 facts about neon…

Real neon lights are only reddish-orange colours

One of the lesser known neon facts is that there is only one colour for neon. When you fill a clear tube with pure neon gas, it lights up a reddish-orange colour and is that warm glow that is often thought of when neon is mentioned. To obtain other colours, there are a variety of methods used that include powder coated tubes, combining neon with other noble gases such as Argon, or even using coloured glass tubes. In some cases, all of the above are done to achieve some of the most vibrant colours you will see.

Neon is used in television sets and lasers

Having unique properties means that neon has many uses in everyday life, it’s used in advertising signs, vacuum tubes, wave meter tubes, lighting arrestors, high voltage indicators, television tubes, plasma tubes and helium-neon lasers. Nowadays liquid neon is commercially available and used as cryogenic refrigerant, so it’s not just common on the streets of Las Vegas, it’s in your home as well!

Neon gas is rare

A rare gas is another name for a noble gas. These six gases form approximately 1% of Earth’s atmosphere. Neon, discovered by two British Scientists in 1898, is the fourth most abundant element present within the universe, however it only forms 0.0018% of Earth’s atmosphere.

The first neon light was revealed in 1910

As mentioned previously, Georges Claude displayed his neon lamps at a Paris exhibition, he created it by combining an earlier discovery with a new one. George’s business was in air liquefaction and the neon gas was originally produced as a byproduct.

Neon is a Greek word

Neon gets its name from the Greek word ‘neos’ which means new.

The first neon light sign was sold in 1912

In 1912, Georges Claude’s associate, Jacques Fonseque sold the first neon advertising sign to a barber in Paris in 1912. Next, in 1913 3 ½ foot tall letters were installed on the Champs-Elysees, they spelt out ‘CINZANO’, the name of the famous Cinzano company which manufactured Italian products.

A neon sign once sold for $48,300!

Earlier this year, in January 2017, a neon sign sold for $48,300 at a auction night in Maine, USA, the sign was from the legendary Los Angeles rock club, ‘Whisky a Go Go’ and 13ft long.

The Paris Opera House was decorated with Neon

In 1919, Georges Claude manufactured a design which involved decorating the world-renowned Paris Opera House with red and blue tubes, giving the colours their name of ‘Opera Colours’

A neon tube can last a very long time

The average life span of a standard neon sign is approximately 30,000 hours. However, in 2012 during a renovation of a restaurant, a neon light panel was found still on, after running for approximately 77 years.

All neon lighting is handmade

Even though electrodes and most glass tubes are prefabricated, neon lighting is still a handmade art and creators use blow torches to heat glass tubes before bending them into place and sealing them together.

Working Neon into your Décor

Neon signs and neon artwork are an increasingly popular trend for interior design and décor. The ability to create either a strikingly unique look or subtle, easy on the eyes warm glow. With the right design and a skilled glass bender, a neon sign can transform a work or living space.

Neon can brighten up an office space or provide a soft glow for your home. Whether it’s business or pleasure, take a look at these ways to work neon into your décor, whether it be your premises or your home.

Decorating your space with neon

Regarding interior design, inspiration is always the key, helping to bring your ideas to life, take a look at these was to help bring a neon touch to your space…

Neon and neutral

A great interior design tip, which is becoming very popular, especially with today’s ‘minimalist’ interior approach, is pairing neon colours with neutral colours. If you want to add some excitement into your space, a neutral coloured room is a perfect backdrop for some bold pops of colour, so let your neon take centre stage whilst the rest of your room is calm and subdued.

Create ‘fun rooms’ where you can use neon

Whether it be a craft room, a play room or your child’s bedroom at your home, they’re great places to have a play around and experiment with colour, without having to be too serious. In the work place, breakout areas are a good place to start spreading your neon cheer.

Know your area, know your neon

The key to having neon is knowing just how to effectively utilise the effect in the space you are placing it. A mass of colour and complexity in a small area can sometimes be confusing to the eye and cause an effect that is the opposite of what you intend. Likewise, neon that is too understated or spread out over a large space can disappear in the background and not draw the attention you need to your area.

Another really important thing to consider when bringing neon into your home is the location of the neon pieces, correctly placing and mounting the piece can increase the effectiveness and attraction of the sign, whereas choosing a less effective area, or a backing that does not meet the requirements you need can detract from. If you want to appreciate the honesty of the neon, including the wires and the transformer that powers the sign, then a clear acrylic panel or case is ideal for your sign. If you prefer to have a nice tidy sign that has all the wiring and parts hidden from view, then an aluminium composite tray panel is a great option to go for. There are a variety of options to choose and their suitability and effectiveness is completely dependent on the purpose of your sign and area you wish to place it in

Turn down the lights

If you are looking to wind things down rather than liven them up, neon can still be a great addition to your space. With the ability to dim the light, neon can be used in a variety of forms as mood lighting or even as a night light for a child that then operates as a room decoration as they grow.

Neon signs

Creating your own neon signage, not just adds a personal touch to your space, but also allows you to incorporate a creative flare into your home, office or commercial building. At A1deSIGNS our signage designs don’t just bring your ideas to life, but also your space. We can work our bespoke service to make your neon artwork become the focal point of any room. We can help you find the right combination of colour, design, size and mounting option to both suit your needs and budget, so to start working on your next project, get in contact with us today!

Using Neon Signs for Visual Merchandising

The different ways to use neon for visual merchandising

Neon has many uses, especially when in signage form. Neon signs can be used to create eye catching messages, both domestically and commercially, with many homeowners and business owners turning to neon to add visual appeal to their respective properties.

When it comes to visual merchandising, or VM for short, there’s a lot that can be done with neon. As A1deSIGNS are often commissioned to create signs for a variety of sectors, we thought we would look into the different ways neon can be used for VM.

Visual merchandising with Neon Signs

Traditionally, neon would have mainly been associated with sex shops and red-light districts in popular cities. These days, with its larger range of colours and unique look that comes from each piece of glass being hand bent, neon has become popular in both commercial and private settings.

Retail space is extremely important in any store. Providing it’s utilised properly, it can play a massive role in the success of a business, offering opportunities to engage with potential customers. The lighting used within visual merchandising can add value to any display, enhancing its overall look and helping to make sure products/services/offers are seen by those close by.

Whether you are looking to draw customers into your bar or shop, or you have a slogan you want to display in your restaurant, neon can be used effectively to catch the eye of passers-by or those inside.

Check out some of the recent examples of where neon signs have been used for visual merchandising purposes below, using a variety of techniques for different brands.

Levi’s

In this case study, the aim of the project was plain and simple; use the Levi’s slogan to create an eye catching sign that would be positioned in the store window. Using white neon, A1deSIGNS were able to manufacture a bright sign that will be seen and read by a high percentage of people passing by.

Christian Louboutin

The Christian Louboutin brand has become something of a global phenomenon, with shoes and other products proving to be extremely popular among women of all ages.

The visual merchandising for this well-known brand included a non-subtle blend of neon signage and light bulb signs, as we looked to create a huge window display that would be almost unmissable.

Uniqlo

The visual merchandising for Uniqlo is large and vibrant, showcasing a range of the company’s clothing products, but with a twist.

Uniqlo’s clothing range includes jackets, jumpers and shirts, all of which were used to create this unusual visual merchandising display for them to use in store.

Victoria’s Secret

For those of you that don’t know, Victoria’s Secret models often wear angel wings when strutting their stuff on catwalks or at global events. When they asked us to commission a neon sign to promote their wings, A1deSIGNS were more than happy to oblige. Check out the neon wings below!

Giorgio Armani

The universe seems to love neon, and Giorgio Armani are just one of many high-end brands that wanted to utilize the unique look of neon to help enhance their marketing efforts. When you use their branding as part of a neon sign, it highlights the elegance of their logo.

Topshop

When a new Topshop store opened locally, A1deSIGNS had the pleasure of commissioning this beautiful neon sign to form part of their visual merchandising.

Visual Merchandising for Retailers

Used effectively, neon can be a great tool for visual merchandising and advertising. We are happy to talk to you about any ideas you have, whether you are looking to promote products in store or you need something to shine bright in your shop window. With a combined experience of over 150 years within our currently active team, we have the ability of providing you with VM that you and your potential customers will love.

A1deSIGNS love all things neon related! Why not contact us today to talk to us about commissioning neon signage for your business brand?

Why Are Neon Signs So Popular?

A Brief Look at the Reasons Why Neon Has Become So Popular!

More and more people are turning to neon to create stunning visuals, not only for marketing, but for decorative purposes too. With its massive surge in popularity in recent years, it’s really got us wondering; “why have neon signs become so popular?”.

Let’s take a brief look at the history of neon signage first and the way it has changed.

The History of Neon and How it has Evolved.

In the past 100 or so years, neon has made its way from lab experiments to the dizzy heights of Las Vegas and London, lighting up some of the most famous buildings in the world’s most recognised cities. Today, neon can be found in shops, restaurants, bars, at events and even in homes. But where did it all begin?

Neon emerged into the world as a high-end luxury item, with the first signs sold in America bought for thousands of dollars. In the 60’s and 70’s its red glow became synonymous with some of the less reputable areas of the world, however as time has progressed, it has evolved into more than just a medium for signage, it has become an art form. These days, musicians, architects, artists and business owners are all warming to the idea that neon signs can be used to create eye catching works of art that can be used in a variety of ways.

For whatever reason, neon is back in the spotlight once again, providing visual merchandising opportunities for some big brands names, such as Armani, Levi’s and Topshop. Neon has gone from being widely associated with motels, sex shops and red light districts to a world involving music, arts and commercial marketing.

So, Why do People Love Neon?

There’s plenty of reasons to love neon and the people of the world are really starting to agree. Below, we look at the top 5 reasons why we believe neon has become popular once more:

1. Colours – Though neon’s trademark colour is red, with the assistance of powdered tubes, there is now a range of other colours available, meaning that signs can be made to compliment a brand or add a burst of colour into a room.
2. Versatility – Neon tubes are available in a variety of diameters and because it is hand bent, it means that almost any style that uses a consistent stroke width can be ‘neonised’.
3. It’s almost unmissable – You really can’t miss it. Business owners and marketing managers want their stores to be seen and neon is one of the best ways of achieving this.
4. It’s an art! – Neon really is an art. You only have to look at some of the examples below to see for yourself how easy it is on the eye.
5. It Glows – Unlike other traditional sources of illumination, neon glows, rather than lighting up. Because of this, the effect is always pleasant on the eye, as opposed to being too bright.

There’s dozens more reasons why neon is a strong contender for the most popular signage form out there, but we’ll not bore you with a super-long list. Instead, why not check out the different ways neon can be used to enhance the look of your home?

Commissioning a Neon Sign

It’s fun to get creative using neon. Depending on where you choose to display your sign, it can add light and colour to a room or window. Suitable for both internal and external use, neon is a unique way to draw the eye.

However you choose to use it, neon can be mixed with other styles and themes to create unique displays. So whether you’re a minimalist or you prefer a contemporary approach to design, there is no reason why neon cannot be used as an eye catching compliment.

If you are looking to use neon in your project, A1deSIGNS can commission a neon sign for you. Contact us today and we can get to work planning your very own neon creation.

Can Neon Signs Play a Significant Role in an Office Design?

Using Neon Colour Schemes in Offices

In the modern era, more and more businesses are turning to bright, vibrant colour schemes to liven up their offices. Wall decorations, lighting, furniture and even the floors and ceilings themselves can all play a significant role in the overall design of an office, and are all things that need to be thought about.

When it comes to using neon colour schemes in offices, it’s important not to go overboard.

The best way to do this is to choose either a single colour, or two complimentary colours. Keeping the neon sign to a neutral colour, or one in line with your branding allows you to create a sign that is both eye catching and subtle at the same time. Offices with white/light colour schemes can use neon to inject colour into the room, as can offices with dark colour schemes. Neon colours are attractive and eye-catching, providing businesses with a spectrum of opportunities to be creative with their décor.

Office Designs Involving Neon

Fusion Office Design are a prime example of a company that understands how to integrate neon into the design of an office, with years of experience specialising in office design, refurbishment and fit-out.

As you can see from the case studies provided, neon colours have been used in several ways to decorate the offices and other rooms in the building.

Neon Office Signs

A1deSIGNS have had the pleasure of producing a range of signs for offices, including:

• Illuminated Signage
• Directional Signage
• Inspirational Signage
• Branding Signage
• Neon Signage
• and more!

For those of you that need ideas, you can see a few of the neon sign creations that have been commissioned for offices in the past.

The above signs have been used in a diverse range of offices to inject life into colour schemes that would otherwise be quite plain, or to subtly complement the existing scheme.

Will it work?

If you are unsure about whether or not a neon sign is right for your office, use the examples provided to see for yourself the different ways it can work for different business types.

Neon signs can be used in a wide range of applications, including; home, office and other commercial uses. Bars and restaurants are prime examples of places where neon signs can be used to enhance the design and attract attention, with bar lights and signs proving to be extremely popular in pubs and clubs across the country.

Need help?

A1deSIGNS can commission a neon sign that will tie in with your office design. From simply creating, to designing and even rebranding, we have experience in every element of office signs and neon signs. We have designed, manufactured and installed a range of commercial signage for interior and exterior business use and can help you with your project. Get in touch with us to start discussing your next project, either by email, phone or feel free to pop into the offices.