Neon Now This quirky Australian brand designs custom lights that double as art pieces

There are few things as retro-cool as the neon sign. If you want to get in on the buzz, meet Electric Confetti, a runner-up of Lane Crawford Creative Call Out 2018 Sydney that does a practical LED-powered twist on the classic.

The Australian brand was founded by husband and wife Natalie and Scott Jarvis.To celebrate their arrival at Lane Crawford, we spoke with Natalie to find out more about their (very Insta-worthy) work.

Natalie knows first-hand the nostalgic allure of the neon sign. “I was raised behind the counter of my father’s antique shop,” she explains, “and I think that sparked my interest in design and typography.” She went on to study design and art history, then experienced a fateful moment: “We wanted a neon light for our home, but I couldn’t find anything that I liked in terms of design - everything was man-cave style or alcohol-related - so I started designing one for myself. Then I designed another one for a friend, and the rest is history!”

According to Natalie, a neon light not only lights up a room, but more importantly it brings a fun element and something different to a space. “Plus,” she reasons, “it’s also a piece of art.” Even better, as the signs are actually strings of LEDs in a flexible jacket, they’re easy to install, don’t use much power and don’t buzz like the originals.

Electric Confetti designs custom pieces as well as offering pre-made designs, and they’re all lightweight and simple to install. They can even suit a more subdued space.

“If you have a Scandi-style or more minimalist space, I’d suggest a design in white or off-white. If you want a coloured light, pale pink is a popular minimalist choice - for a pop of colour, go for a simple design or uncomplicated shape. If you wanted text, it would be in a sans serif font,” says Natalie. For the workplace, the signs can work as logos or inspirational quotes. “One company had a light made to say, ‘Throw me to the wolves and I’ll return leading the pack’,’ Natalie tells us.

For Electric Confetti’s Hong Kong debut, the team are looking forward to sharing their love of neon with anyone keen to add a dash of happiness to their home or work. “We can help you design a piece for your wedding, for your office or your children’s rooms, for example,” says Natalie. There’ll also be lights ready to buy and take home, including a selection of festive decorations just in time for Christmas. Go on, (neon) light up your life!