In the world of branding and design, the use of bold and bright colors has become increasingly popular in recent years. Neon and fluorescent colors, in particular, have become a go-to choice for many businesses looking to create a vibrant and eye-catching visual identity. However, using such colors can be a tricky task as it can easily result in a tacky or overwhelming look if not executed correctly. In this guide, we’ll explore the benefits of using neon or fluorescent colors in branding and design, as well as provide tips and best practices for incorporating these colors effectively. Whether you’re a graphic designer, marketer, or business owner, this guide will help you create a bold and memorable visual identity that stands out from the competition.
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.
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Are neon colors and fluorescent colors the same?
Neon colors and fluorescent colors are similar in that they are both bright and vibrant, but they are not exactly the same. Neon colors are a specific subset of fluorescent colors that are especially bright and vivid. They are created using neon gas in glass tubes that are charged with electricity to create a glowing effect. Fluorescent colors, on the other hand, are created using a chemical process that makes them appear brighter and more intense than standard colors.
Both neon and fluorescent colors are popular choices for creating attention-grabbing designs, but neon colors are often associated with retro or vintage aesthetics, while fluorescent colors are more commonly used in modern and contemporary designs.
What are neon colors?
Neon colors are a subset of fluorescent colors that are extremely bright and vivid. These colors are created by using neon gas in glass tubes that are charged with electricity to produce a glowing effect. Neon colors typically include shades of pink, blue, green, yellow, and orange, and they are often associated with retro or vintage aesthetics.
Neon colors can be used in a variety of design applications, including signage, packaging, and branding, to create eye-catching and memorable visual identities. Because they are so bright and attention-grabbing, neon colors are particularly effective for businesses or products that want to stand out from the competition.
What are fluorescent colors?
Fluorescent colors are extremely bright lights. Since neon colors are incredibly bright colors that appear to glow or shine when exposed to ultraviolet light. They’re best described as highly luminescent primary and secondary colors. They are created using a chemical process that makes them appear brighter and more vivid than standard colors.
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%.
These colors can be found in a wide range of shades, including pink, yellow, green, orange, and blue. They are often used in design and branding to create attention-grabbing visuals that stand out from more muted color palettes. Fluorescent colors are particularly effective in designs intended for use in low-light or dimly lit environments, such as nightclubs or outdoor events. They are also commonly used in safety equipment and clothing to improve visibility in low-light conditions.
Cultural meanings of neon or fluorescent colors
The cultural meanings of neon and fluorescent colors can vary depending on the context and cultural background. In general, neon and fluorescent colors are often associated with vibrancy, energy, and youthfulness. In Western cultures, for example, neon colors are often associated with 1980s and 1990s nostalgia, while in some Asian cultures, neon colors are associated with futuristic and technological themes. Fluorescent colors are commonly used in safety equipment and clothing, so they can also be associated with safety and visibility.
In terms of marketing and branding, the use of neon or fluorescent colors can convey a sense of boldness, excitement, and uniqueness. They can help brands stand out in crowded marketplaces and attract attention from younger or more adventurous audiences. However, it is important to consider the cultural context and the target audience when using neon or fluorescent colors in branding and design, as different cultural backgrounds and age groups may have different associations and interpretations of these 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.
Are fluorescent colors safe to use in design and branding?
Fluorescent colors are generally considered safe to use in design and branding. However, like any other colorant or pigment, fluorescent dyes and pigments used to create fluorescent colors can vary in their safety and toxicity. It’s important to ensure that the specific fluorescent color you are using is certified safe for use in your particular application.
It’s also worth noting that some fluorescent colors may be more prone to fading or discoloration over time when exposed to light, so it’s important to use high-quality, fade-resistant materials when incorporating fluorescent colors into your design and branding.
Finally, it’s important to consider the intended use of fluorescent colors. For example, if you are using fluorescent colors in packaging or products that come into direct contact with food or skin, it’s important to ensure that the colors are certified safe for use in these applications. Overall, with proper consideration and care, fluorescent colors can be used safely and effectively in design and branding.
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:
In conclusion, neon and fluorescent colors can be powerful tools for creating attention-grabbing visuals in branding and design. By adding a pop of bright, intense color to a design, brands can create a sense of energy, excitement, and youthfulness that can help them stand out in crowded marketplaces.
However, it is important to consider the cultural context and target audience when using neon or fluorescent colors, as different cultures and age groups may have different associations and interpretations of these colors. When used thoughtfully and strategically, neon and fluorescent colors can be effective elements in a brand’s visual identity and help create a strong and memorable brand presence.
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.
