How to Use Neon in Your Designs

neon

Neon, a colorless, odorless, inert gas, is one of six Noble gases that can be made to glow when passed an electric current. When the electrons of a neon gas (it can also be argon or other gases) absorb an electrical current, they jump to a higher energy level and emit light (also known as photons). The color of the emitted light depends on the type of gas used.

This unique chemical element, first discovered in 1898, is part of the rare group of elements called Noble Gases because it is unreactive and doesn’t react with other substances. It is most commonly used as a bright, long-lasting, durable lighting source, but it is also found in diving equipment, lasers, high-voltage switching gear and as a refrigerant for very low temperatures.

For your designs, neon works well with a variety of shades, from the deep violets and red-oranges in this palette to the lighter greens and blues. Try mixing your colors to get even more variations in the light—for instance, Shocking Pink and Web Dark Orange pair well together, or Spring Green and Lemon Lime.

Psychedelic-inspired neon is also popular with designers, and it works particularly well when combined with darker backgrounds that help the colors pop without overpowering the rest of the design. You can balance out the brightness with a neutral like camel or biscuit, or add a little black or white text to help your text stand out against the backdrop.