Neon colors are eye-catching and vibrant. You can use them to add energy and excitement to any design. However, because they are so bright, it is essential to use them sparingly. In this blog post, we will give tips on using neon colors effectively in your designs and explore how to use neon colors in your designs to create eye-catching and stylish results.
Fluorescent colors are having a moment right now. From bright clothes to statement home decor, these colors are everywhere. And as a designer, you may wonder how to use neon colors in your work.
Solid fluorescent or neon colors will add visual presence to a project. They are unapologetically confident and clear. A double hit of the color is advised to achieve the best result in offset printing. On-screen, fluorescent cyan, magenta, and yellow are aggressive but may read as technical and cold.
What are neon colors?
Fluorescent colors are extremely bright lights. Since neon colors are incredibly bright, they’re best described as highly luminescent primary and secondary colors. Neon colors can only be chemically created.
Fluorescent colors use a more significant amount of visible spectrum and lower wavelengths than conventional colors. As a result, your eye perceives a far more intense color. A traditional color reflects a maximum of 90%; a fluorescent color can reflect as much as 300%.
The science behind fluorescence -what are neon colors?
Much chemistry behind what makes a fluorescent color stand out so brightly from the rest. Sustainable Nano is digging into what makes them pop, and they will highlight some of the brilliant applications of fluorescence from nanotechnology.
Writer/Producer: Kirk Zamieroski. Executive Producer: Adam Dylewski
Cultural meanings of neon or fluorescent colors
Andy Warhol, who entered the world of art in the late 1940s, described neon as ‘one of the great modern things. French artist Martial Raysse became one of the first artists to work with neon in an artistic sense, blending pop art portraiture with neon accents. – Neon Creations.
Fluorescent colors are most closely associated with the Fillmore posters of the 1960s and black-light rock posters of the 1970s. Both of these use neon colors to simulate a hallucinogenic experience. By the 1980s, neon colors were adopted by teenage and juvenile audiences – this time, more closely aligned with optimism.
The science behind fluorescence -what are neon colors?
Much chemistry behind what makes a fluorescent color stand out so brightly from the rest. Sustainable Nano is digging into what makes them pop, and they will highlight some of the brilliant applications of fluorescence from nanotechnology.
Writer/Producer: Kirk Zamieroski. Executive Producer: Adam Dylewski
The Pros and Cons of Neon and Fluorescent Colors
When making a statement with color, it’s hard to beat neon and fluorescent hues. These super-saturated colors are eye-catching and attention-grabbing, which makes them perfect for use in design projects that need to make a significant impact. But before you reach for that neon green or fluorescent pink, it’s essential to understand the pros and cons of these two very different types of colors.
Neon Colors
Neon colors are created by adding special phosphors to the glass used in making tubes or bulbs. When energized by an electric current, these phosphors glow with a bright, intense light. Neon lights have been around since 1910 when they were first used in public signage. Neon colors are enjoying something of a renaissance in the design world.
Pros:
Neon colors are exceptionally eye-catching, making them ideal for use in designs that need to grab attention.
Designers can combine neon colors to create unique color palettes you won’t find with other color types.
Designers can use neon colors in many applications, including web design, marketing materials, product packaging, etc.
Cons:
Neon colors can be overwhelming if misused, making your design look garish or unbalanced.
The brightness of neon colors can make them difficult to read when used as body text or for extended periods.
Fluorescent Colors
Fluorescent colors are created using pigments or dyes that contain fluorescent compounds. These compounds absorb invisible ultraviolet light from the sun or artificial sources and re-emit it in the visible spectrum, resulting in a bright, glowing color. Fluorescent colors have been used in everything from highlighter pens to black lights since the 1930s.
Pros:
Fluorescent colors are highly pigmented, making them brighter and more vibrant than other colors.
Fluorescent colors can help add excitement and energy to any design project.
Cons:
Fluorescent colors can be challenging to work with because they can overwhelm other elements in your design.
Fluorescent colors can fade over time when exposed to sunlight, which means they’re not always suitable for outdoor applications.
How do you use neon or fluorescent colors in design?
1. Use neon colors as accents.
Neon colors are best used as accents. This means using them in small amounts to add pop to an otherwise subdued design. For example, in a black-and-white website design, you could use a neon pink color for the links. Or you could use a neon green color for the call-to-action button on a landing page. When used as accents, neon colors can make your design stand out without overwhelming the viewer.
2. Pair neon colors with neutral colors.
Another effective way to use neon colors is by pairing them with neutral colors like black, white, or gray. This will help create a more balanced design that is not too jarring to the eyes. For example, you could use a black background with neon yellow text. Or you could use a white background with neon pink text. Experiment with color combinations to see what looks best for your particular design.
3. Don’t use too many different neon colors.
When using neon colors in your design, it is essential not to use too many different colors. TOo many neon colors in one design will create a chaotic and busy look that will be difficult for viewers to process. Instead, please stick to one or two neon colors and use them sparingly throughout your design. The humble use of these bright colors will help create a more cohesive and polished look.
4. Use fluorescent tones sparingly.
In addition to using standard neon colors sparingly, it is also important to use fluorescent tones sparingly. Fluorescent tones are even brighter than regular neon colors and can be overwhelming when used in large quantities. If you want to use fluorescent tones in your design, we recommend using them only for small details like button hover states or underlined text links.
5. Avoid using neon and fluorescent colors for textured backgrounds.
If you are considering using a neon color for a textured background, we would advise against it. Neon colors are very light-sensitive, so they can cause eye strain and headaches when used as background textures. If you want to use a Neon Color for a background, we recommend doing so only in small areas or using a muted version of the color.
Fluorescent color palette
Unlike traditional pigments, which use only one color for their hues and allow other colors to be mixed in through paint or paper preparation techniques such as watercolor painting with an ink pen respectively, fluorescent colors can capture light at many different wavelengths.
This allows them to produce a much brighter display than what our eyes would naturally see without any illumination present giving it more visual impact on top of being easier on battery life – perfect if you want your work seen!
How to use neon or fluorescent colors for a bold look
One way to use neon colors is to create a bold look. You can do this by using neon colors as the dominant colors in your design or pairing them with other bold colors. For example, you could create an all-neon color scheme or pair neon colors with black for a high-contrast look. Either way, you’re sure to turn heads with this approach.
Read more here: Brand design 4: How to design a high-end, luxury business.
How to use neon colors for a pop of color
Another way to use neon colors is to add them as a pop of color in an otherwise neutral design. This can help add some personality and interest to your work. For example, if most of your design is white, you could add a Neon pink accent color. Or, if your design is mostly black, you could use a Neon green color for accents. This approach is perfect if you want to experiment with Neon colors but don’t want them to be the show’s star.
Neon color palette
A solid fluorescent color will add visual presence to a project. It is extremely clear and confident. Neon colors should only be used in a group 4 color palette, matching beautifully with black and white.
Note:
CMYK process color cannot replicate fluorescent colors.
Read more here: Brand design 4: How to design a high-end, luxury business.
Neon / fluorescent colors in branding
Neon colors in branding: hillandfriends
Read more about Hill&Friends branding here: wallpaper.com.
Neon color in branding – Moxy hotels
Base Museum 2015 poster Paola Meraz
The science behind fluorescence
There’s a lot of chemistry behind what makes a fluorescent color stand out so brightly from the rest. Sustainable Nano is digging into what makes them pop, and they are going to highlight some of the brilliant applications of fluorescence coming out of nanotechnology.
Writer/Producer: Kirk Zamieroski. Executive Producer: Adam Dylewski
Conclusion:
Neon colors are a great way to add personality and style to your designs. They can be tricky to work with, but they can make your designs pop when used correctly. Whether you use them for a bold look or just as a pop of color, they’re sure to make your work stand out from the crowd. So go ahead and experiment with Neon colors in your next project—you might be surprised at the results!
We hope these tips have helped you learn how to use Neon Colors effectively in your next project! Experiment with different combinations until you find something that works best for you.
Read more about colors and color psychology here:
Color Psychology In Branding And Logo Design
Brand Design 1: How To Brand a Youthful, Open, and Happy Business.
Brand Design 2: How To Brand an Elegant, Feminine Business.
