One thing most people don’t consider when designing a logo is what happens when somebody decides to illuminate it. Suddenly, those elegant curves, delicate strokes, and fancy letterforms become an engineering problem.
Here’s why.
Take the HanleyLED Stellar Edge S-1270 or Golden Series G-1270, for example. These edge-lighting modules are approximately 0.89 inches wide. That means if you’re designing an internally illuminated letter or logo using these particular modules, you need enough room inside the channel to physically accommodate them. A one-inch stroke might sound generous on paper, but once you account for the module, mounting requirements, and wiring clearance, things can get tight.
And remember, we’re essentially trying to fit little rectangles inside whatever shape you’ve designed. Straight lines, consistent stroke widths, and generous 90-degree corners are generally easier to work with. Now introduce a delicate script font with varying stroke widths, tight curves, and narrow transitions. Congratulations. You’ve turned a lighting project into a geometry problem.
This doesn’t mean complicated logos can’t be illuminated. It means the lighting system needs to be considered during the design process, not after somebody approves the artwork.
There are also different ways to illuminate dimensional signage. Face-lit letters illuminate through their front surfaces. Halo-lit letters project light backward onto the wall, creating that floating glow. Edge-lit systems distribute light through the sign using modules positioned along its perimeter. Each method has different requirements, and not every design limitation applies equally to all three.
Then comes the electrical side. Where does the power supply go? How will the low-voltage wiring reach the letters? Can the wiring be concealed behind the wall? Is there access for future maintenance? Depending on the installation, the power supply might be concealed in an accessible location, with wiring routed through the mounting surface. Timers, switches, and other controls can also be incorporated. Of course, everything needs to comply with applicable electrical codes and manufacturer requirements.
None of this is particularly mysterious, but it does require planning. Letter depth, LED spacing, illumination uniformity, and access for maintenance can all affect the final product.
And that’s really my point. Good illuminated signage starts with understanding how the artwork will actually be fabricated. A logo that looks fantastic on a computer screen isn’t necessarily ready to become a three-dimensional illuminated object.
Sometimes the solution is a slightly wider stroke. Sometimes it’s a different lighting system. Sometimes it’s simply knowing which design details need to change before production.
The possibilities are extensive, but physics still gets a vote.
I’m curious how other designers and sign fabricators approach this. Do you consider illumination requirements when designing a logo, or do you leave those problems for the poor soul who has to build it?