How to Use Neon in Design

When used in design, neon is a bold and eye-catching color palette that demands attention. It’s perfect for creating out-of-the-box branding, vibrant illustration and photography, and striking posters and advertising. In this article, we’ll share some tips and tricks for using neon in your designs—and a few ways you can take the look to the next level.

Invented by Georges Claude in 1910, neon tubes first debuted at the Paris Expo. They glow when high voltage AC current passes through them. When this occurs, electrons from the atoms in the neon gas escape and gather energy at one of the tube’s electrodes. These accumulated electrons give the neon light its characteristic glow.

The element’s name, pronounced “neos,” comes from the Greek word for new () or renewal (). The neon sign was named after the gas’s discovery and its bright red luminosity. Neon is also the fourth most common element in the universe, but on Earth, it’s relatively rare, making up only 0.0018% of our atmosphere. It is also the most expensive noble gas. It is retrieved from the atmosphere by cryogenic fractional distillation of liquefied air and, according to Minerals Education Coalition, it’s also produced in massive stars through nuclear fusion.

Unlike most other gases, neon does not provide usable spectral absorption lines in the sun. As a result, its abundance in the sun must be deduced from its ratios with other elements. Luckily, neon does not react with other elements. It is therefore an excellent choice for use in scientific research and manufacturing where an inert environment is required, as it can prevent compounds and devices from oxidizing.

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