OUGD504 Studio Brief 03 - Neon & Leeds Research

In order to inspire the designing stage of the book I firstly did some research in to the content of the book as I believe that this will help be make decisions about the design choices;

The first was a section that explained the science that goes in to neon signage "Neon sign are an adaption of an original concept coming from their predecessor the Geissler tube in which an electric current is passed through a gas filled glass tube, the reaction between the electrodes and gas creates the coloured light.

Although the process is named after neon gas the first gas used in the process creating the iconic red glowing light seen in many neon signs much greater number of possible colours can be created thhrough the use of different gases, alternatvely argon or mercury gas can be used to create ultraviolet light of which reacts with phosphorescent coatings to achieve a much higher number of colour possibilities."

The second section was a section that included the history of neon signage "Neon sign are an adaption of an original concept coming from their predecessor the Geissler tube in which an electric current is passed through a gas filled glass tube, the reaction between the electrodes and gas creates the coloured light.

Although the process is named after neon gas the first gas used in the process creating the iconic red glowing light seen in many neon signs much greater number of possible colours can be created thhrough the use of different gases, alternatvely argon or mercury gas can be used to create ultraviolet light of which reacts with phosphorescent coatings to achieve a much higher number of colour possibilities."

The final section is a section that surround the history of neon in relation to Leeds! "Although neon signs use a technique of which is taken earlier examples of similar lighting seen in the Geissler tubes, early development of neon can be found as far back as 1675 when French astronomer Jean Picard observed a faint glow in a mercury barometer due to static electricity. 

Neon signs as we know them orignate from around 1902 when Georges Claude applied an electrical charge to a sealed tube of neon gas to create a light. The first commercial use of a neon sign was installed at a Parisian barber shop in 1912 and from this point onwards became the crucial advertising method used all over the world."