Main Project – Neon Lights and Pop Art Aesthetic

Main Project Plans and Inspirations 

For my main project, I would like to explore the aesthetic of neon signs. However, instead of using glass and neon gas, I would like to create the signs using a 3D printer and LED lights. I would like to explore the aesthetic of neon signs and what goes into designing one. I would then like to recreate that aesthetic by designing my own signs. I think this would be a good way to bring color and light to a room as it draws a lot of attention.  

The Aesthetic 

The aesthetic of a neon sign is a mix of retro-futurism, urban vibrancy, and nostalgic allure. Its glowing, saturated colors create a striking visual contrast against the dark, making it a staple of city nightlife, vintage Americana, and even modern minimalist design. The smooth, continuous lines of bent glass tubing give neon signs a handcrafted, organic feel despite their electrified glow, adding to their artistic appeal. To me, it’s a bit like a cyberpunk aesthetic mixed with mid-century Americana, bringing a bit of futurism mixed with an old-school charm. 

Photo credit: Ben Franske/CC BY-SA 4.0[1]                                                                                            Photo credit: Sebastien Cordat/ Unsplash [1]

Signs like the examples above became incredibly popular during the 1930s for advertising. The Coca Cola sign on the left shows a classic example of vintage Americana, while the Radio City Music Hall’s façade became a famous example of neon signs. [1]

In engineering terms, neon signs also embody resilience—much like how materials are tested for mechanical failure, neon tubes endure electrical stress and heat while maintaining their structure. 

The history of neon signs dates to the early 20th century and is closely tied to the development of gas discharge lighting. 

Brief History 

In 1898, Scottish scientist Sir William Ramsay and British scientist Morris Travers discovered neon as they worked on isolating noble gases [1]. They noted its distinct reddish-orange glow when electrically charged. Later, a French engineer and inventor Georges Claude, known as “the father of neon lighting,” developed a method to liquefy air and separate its components, including neon gas [2]. Then, in 1910, Claude demonstrated the first true neon lamp at the Paris Motor Show, showcasing the vibrant red-orange glow of electrified neon gas [1]. Then, just two years later, the first commercial neon sign was installed at a Paris barbershop [1]. 

The golden age of neon signs arose between the 1930s and the 1950s [1]. Neon signs became immensely popular for businesses, theaters, and roadside advertising, especially along major highways like Route 66 in the U.S. Cities like Las Vegas became known for their massive neon-lit billboards and signs, turning neon into an icon of nightlife and commercial advertising [1]. 

Photo credit: Science History Institute [2]

Above image shows the gas discharge tubes with the colors produced by different noble gases. Left to right: xenon, krypton, argon, neon, and helium. [2]

While LED technology has largely replaced neon in commercial signage due to efficiency and cost, traditional neon remains popular in art, retro-themed businesses, and specialty signage. Neon signs have left a lasting impact on advertising, urban culture, and artistic expression, maintaining a nostalgic and aesthetic appeal even in the age of digital displays. 

My Project 

To recreate the style of a neon sign, I would like to try and design some “pop art” and be able to light it up using LED lights. I would like to incorporate comic-book style elements and pop art typography to my design to make it stand out. I would like to bring out the retro look of comic books and combine it with a cyber punk aesthetic to achieve both the futuristic and vintage aspects of the aesthetic.  

AI created image of the pop art style. Courtesy of ChatGPT 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References 

[1] Sygns. (n.d.). Neon sign history. Retrieved from https://www.sygns.com/blogs/magazine/neon-sign-history 

 

[2] Science History Institute. (2018). A blaze of crimson light: The story of neon. Retrieved from https://www.sciencehistory.org/stories/magazine/a-blaze-of-crimson-light-the-story-of-neon/