Since the development of neon in the early 1900’s, its application and production process has had no significant changes. Innovation in the neon industry has stagnated, reducing its competitiveness with respect to other, faster adapting materials.

An unexploited characteristic of neon is its ability to be manipulated in three dimensions without excessive amounts of support material. This is due to the glass being rigid, a feature which distinguishes it from competing lighting technologies.

Three-dimensional neon pieces are extremely difficult to produce as they rely entirely on the skills of the glassblower. There is currently no process available which allows for clear communication of a three-dimensional neon design.

Utilising current technologies, this project demonstrates a process which provides guidance for a glassblower to efficiently create complex three-dimensional neon designs.