Illuminated Signs

Nothing is more quintessential to the energy and liveliness of a city than the glow of illuminated signs. Dazzling colors ooze from neon bulbs. They brighten nearby walls and reflect off of windows with their radiance. They catch our eye as we wander down the street beckoning for us to gaze into the restaurant or shop that it is advertising for every moment that the sign is illuminated. Illuminated signs convey information in the form of text and also mood. They serve as the illuminated paintings and glowing sculptures of the urban landscape.

This typology captures illuminated signs and shows how they interact with their surroundings. The project seeks to show their eye-catching brilliance at night and how they are less visible in the day when they are inactive. Most signs have been photographed in Chicago, but other cities around the world are included. Check back regularly to see more illuminated signs.