For the design approach, I drew inspiration from the typology of Hong Kong’s neon signs — its intention and functionality — then contradicting it to serve the purpose of emotional resistance and shamefulness. The premise of the study is to create a conversation within oneself. It questions and also answers itself. Like how someone copes with grief, it is self-reliant.

It opens up its needs but also is ashamed of it. Hence, the restrictiveness of the design while being accompanied by the bright and strong color fills to attract attention. In the series of images below, I’ve mapped out the similarities and differences of my type study vs how Hong Kong’s neon signs works. This highlights how I employed contradiction to shape this type exploration.