When used correctly, neon is a great way to add pop and radiance to your designs. Its bright hues are often used to re-create fluorescent signs, but they can also work well in images of cities at night. The example image below uses a wide range of colors, including Hot Magenta and Off Red, to create a striking illustration that’s hard to miss. However, the use of a dark background helps prevent the shades from clashing with each other and keeps the design from looking cluttered or chaotic.
Neon is a monatomic gas that produces a brilliant red-orange light when it is subjected to an electric discharge in a vacuum tube. It was discovered by William Ramsay and Morris Travers in 1898, and its most common use today is as illuminated signs. Its color is bright enough to stand out even in dense fog, making it perfect for beacon lights.
Unlike some other noble gases, neon does not react with other elements to form compounds. This makes it inert and nontoxic, but it is also a simple asphyxiant and can cause death if inhaled in large quantities. It is found on Earth mainly as a gas in our atmosphere (0.2 ppm), in sea water (18 ppm), and in fumaroles and hot springs, but can also be extracted from liquid air by fractional distillation.
Using neon in your designs can add a lot of energy and vibrance, but it can be tricky to get the right balance. This palette is a great example of how to keep your shades from looking too saturated or overpowering, and the varying shades of purple make it unique as well.