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.

Using Neon to Enhance the Look of your Home

With its strikingly unique look and unbeatably warm glow unlike any other light source, it is no surprise that many people are turning to neon signs to bring some colour and life into their businesses and more recently, their homes .

Where to display your neon sign

Neon is an incredibly versatile light source. Able to be dimmed, or flashed, it is more than capable of fitting into any environment around the house from being used as mood lighting within a living room or dining area to a more animated style perfect for a games room or ‘man cave’. The question is not so much ‘will neon be suitable for the home?’ but rather ‘where is it best suitable?’

Everyday use

If you want to make the most out of your neon, you will most likely want to have it displayed in an area where you can show it off on a regular basis. If you are looking to simply add a bit of colour to your home, then straight sections of neon are ideal to be placed either around your ceiling, or in a cove to have the warmth radiate out into the room.

Alternatively, a neon sign is a great gift for a child’s room and when equipped with a dimmer, can serve both as a nightlight for a younger child or a great keepsake as they grow into adulthood

Special uses

Recently converted one of your spare rooms into a game’s room or man cave? Or simply looking to liven up a room you spend a lot of time in with guests? Either way, a neon sign is a great way to add some colour and fun into your home. Neon draws the eye in a welcoming manner, the light is easy on the eyes and is guaranteed to be a talking point with your guests.

If you are throwing a party, a neon sign is the perfect centrepiece. With flashing capabilities, you can draw the attention of anyone in the room. Alternatively if you are looking to have a quiet evening with a few friends, the dimming option of neon helps create a nice calm relaxing environment in which to entertain.

Whatever the intended purpose, a neon sign will be remembered by your guests.

Deciding on your sign

As with many things, the hardest choice is often not whether to have something or not, but rather what to have. Your imagination is the limit with neon. With each tube being bent by hand, almost any font style or design is achievable.

Whether you have a design in mind, only have a rough idea or have no idea at all, here at A1deSIGNS we can help make your neon dream come true. With an in house design team, you can collaborate to achieve the sign you want and as every sign is made by hand at our factory here in the UK, you can even come and watch your sign get made. Feel free to get in touch with us to start discussing your neon sign today!

Neon Light Signs – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

Neon Light Signs

When you are a business wanting to get noticed by your customers, there is little doubt that the type of sign that makes the biggest impact are neon light signs, however not all companies are equal when looking to make a purchase.

So what do you look for when considering neon light signs?

The good….

Experience in the design, manufacture and installation of a neon light is very important, along with a good understanding of the regulations that need to be adhered to in order to make a neon light installation safe. Very few companies manufacture neon across the UK since the introduction of LED’s, which in some cases is a good thing, many of the problems in the past with neon were created by a poor final installation along with a poor approach to its manufacture. When manufactured and installed correctly, neon lights will give you years of pleasure with no problems.

At A1deSIGNS we have been manufacturing neon lights for over 35 years, and with a combined experience in excess of 200 years, we know the best manufacturing techniques to provide you with a neon light that meets your every expectation.

The Bad…..

When your neon light is being priced up, bear in mind the materials being used in conjunction with the neon light. Make sure you understand the way the sign is to be mounted, where and how it is going to be used, as this all makes a difference to the type of equipment that should be used when manufacturing and installing your light. Some companies will provide you with the cheapest option just to get the job, as opposed to providing a solution that meets your requirements to ensure the longevity of your neon light and you end up happy with what you receive. Also avoid any product that involves joins in cables between letters as this does not meet regulations and if not securely connected can cause a fire.

The Ugly ….

When it comes to a neon sign that doesn’t last, there are few places that manage it better than our Asian counterparts, their products tend to be cheaper, but then tend to only last in some cases as little as 3 months, at best they can last up to a couple of years. Not only that, their transformers don’t always meet up to EU standards some even have stamps for standards they have not achieved.

The workmanship is often poor, and customers don’t end up with what they expect, how do we know this? You may ask. We often get neon signs that were manufactured in china brought into us for repair, a recent sign need repair after delivery, but not only that the transformers were positioned without care and attention and the beer cup was put the wrong way up, live cables can be touched as they are not covered properly electrical connections are simply covered with heat shrink.

Due to the neon lights being imported, often customers also end up with a surprise import duty bill, along with a warranty that’s not worth the paper it’s written on.