Many signage producers and designers are experimenting with innovative illumination ideas, particularly with LED. This article reviews some product and design developments for both channel letters and other signage types.
很多标识制作企业和设计者都在尝试创新发光标识方面的理念，特别是在LED 方面。本篇文章带你回顾发光字以及其他类型的标识这些年的发展历程。
New LED Capabilities
新型LED性能
A major trend within signage illumination has been the introduction of single LED modules which are capable of a greater degree of illumination coverage. This development has impacted many signage types and has permitted the use of LED lighting in structures that previously required other types of illumination.
发光标识行业的一个主流趋势还是关于LED单向模组的介绍，这种模组在会很大程度上决定发光覆盖面大小。这些发展已经渗透到了很多标识类型中，而且也可以用在LED照明上，这种构造以前也是被应用在其他发光的领域中的。
One of the specific changes which made these applications possible is a wider viewing angle. This viewing angle is the “cone of light” generated by a single LED module (see diagram below.)
让这些领域的应用都变成最明显的改变之一,就是有一个更大的可视角度。这种可视角度也就是由单向模组制作的圆锥形的灯（见下图。）
Within the channel letter field, a broader viewing angle may decrease the number of modules necessary to properly illuminate a letter face. A wider viewing angle also means that letters with thinner returns may be evenly lit without “tiger striping” or dark spots on the letter face.
在发光字领域，可视角度越大，单字母发光所用的模组数量就可能越少。可视角度越大，也就意味着字母可以均匀地放光，表面上不会有条纹和黑点。
This three inch return depth can provide another important benefit to a channel letter design. It removes two inches of sign protrusion. This can be a helpful in obtaining a permit in an area where sign protrusion is code restricted to a relatively low level.
3英寸长的发光距离也可能会对发光字设计比较有利。这样可以去除发光标识多出来的2英寸。这对于获得当地制作许可也是有帮助的，特别是在当地法律对标识突出要求比较严格的地方。
In addition, this increased LED capability has applications in other signage types as well. Thin signage panels (i.e., short distance from LED mounting surface to illuminated surface) may have previously required multiple modules (or a different type of illumination) to be brightly and evenly lit. Some can now be properly illuminated with a single LED module.
另外，性能较好的LED模组也能同时应用在其他类型的标识上。对于不同种类的发光，从LED板安装的地方到发光的地方，需要比较薄的标识板，板上安装多种的模组，这样才能保证亮度和发光均匀。
For example, Bryan Vincent of Principal LED stated, “We had a client who needed to illuminate some very thin signage panels for food trucks. The units were required to operate off battery power from the truck itself and the available power was limited. In addition, the panels were only 2” deep from the back panel to the face in order to maintain the low profile design the customer required.”
例如，LED协会的Bryan Vincent 说到：我们有一个客户要求，在运送食物的卡车上，安装一些非常薄的发光标识板。这个项目需要在远离卡车电源的地方操作，可用电源非常有限。另外，为了达到客户要求的小轮廓设计，从底板到面板的距离只能是2英寸深。
Solving this design issue required a special LED optic that was ultra-wide to distribute the light laterally, along with a module that had both a long life and constant light output (even at 14.2 volts.) So this new LED technology permitted this customer to create an ultra-slim design factor which is capable of running off of battery power. The customer was pleased with the results.
解决这个设计问题需要一个特殊的LED光片，比较宽的，能够让光向侧面发散的，还需要一个使用寿命长，电流输出稳定的（至少14.2V电压）模组。这个新型的LED技术可以让这项操作远离电池运行。客户对这个结果也特别满意！
A final LED development is the introduction of modules which run directly off a 120V circuit – they do not require a separate power supply or transformer. This configuration can be useful for signage projects where physical power supply access and mounting is more difficult. They may also be useful in small illuminated signage applications where only a few modules are needed and an internal power supply space is unavailable.
LED的这一项进步也是关于120V环形电流运行的模组的介绍，这种模组不需要单独的电源或转换器。这种软件对于物理电源接入和安装比较困难的标识工程来说，是比较有用的。在一些只需要几个模组和内部电源空间不能用的小发光标识应用领域，这些可能也是比较有用的。
In sum, a major trend in signage illumination is the ability to place LED modules in smaller and/or tighter environments which previously required a different illumination type or a greater quantity of modules. This is partially due to the wider viewing angle and special optics that are available from this latest LED generation.
总的来说，在之前，对LED模组品质、发光种类，要求比较高，现在怎样能把LED模组放进更小，更狭窄的空间里，已经变成了发光标识领域的一个主要趋向。
Branding through Illumination/Architectural Accent Lighting
发光字的品牌宣传/建筑上的发光标识
Another evolving practice is the usage of structural illumination to complement the lit signage plan. Some developers are now designing illumination mounted on and into the actual building structures in addition to the signage plan.
接下来，另外一个要进行的工作就是关于发光结构结合到照明标识的用法。有一部分设计者正在设计能够安装到现实中的建筑物上的发光标识。
This technique can be an excellent adjunct for generating attention to the signage in a retail development. If the building illumination initially draws the attention of someone in a passing vehicle, the signage then communicates the available business offerings.
这项技术对于零售行业中能够引人注目的标识来说也是一项杰出的产物。如果建筑物上的发光标识能够一下就吸引到路过的行人，那这个标识才真的达到了它最大的商业价值。
For example, Denver’s CitySet development incorporated accent lighting into and on many of the development’s buildings.
例如，Denver’s CitySet结合了许多建筑发展中特别的发光照明理念。
The developer in this case not only accented some buildings with LED tube type illumination - they also integrated entire， lit window panels (see image below.)
这个案例中的发展商不仅仅把一些LED发光灯条安装到建筑物上，突出建筑物，还整合了全部，包括橱窗上的照明发光。（见下图）
This technique also has branding value. A consumer who cannot remember the name of a restaurant (or the development in which the restaurant is located) may recall the unique accent lighting. The development may then be referenced in the consumer’s mind by “you know that place that has the green lighting? That is where it is.”
这项技术也有一定的品牌价值。一位记不住饭店名字或者饭店地址的顾客，却可能记得独一无二的醒目的标志。这项进步可能体现在，顾客的脑海里会印象深刻，“你知道有个绿色的发光LED灯的地方吗”这就是标识的意义所在了。
Window Signage Illumination
橱窗上的发光标识
New signage illumination technology alone is not always sufficient to create a compelling lighting effect. It is also sometimes necessary to understand the manipulation of light and combine that understanding with illumination technology to create a distinct and vivid signage presentation.
新型的标识发光技术本身并不总是足以创造一个吸引人的照明效果。有时也需要组合照明灯，这样才能创造出生动鲜明的标识！
For example, these Sleep Number Bed window signs below have a compelling and eye-catching appearance
例如，那些Sleep Number Bed 橱窗上下方的标识也是具有比较引人注目，吸睛的效果。
According to Michael Jeske at Select Comfort, these signs are constructed using sheets of ¼” P95 acrylic. The ring is then flooded with illumination by LED light tape to create the glowing appearance.
根据Michael Jeske at Select Comfort说的,这些标识都是用1/4英寸的P95亚克力板制作的。用LED灯带做的发光的环，也具有流光溢彩的一个呈现效果。
The actual sign numbers are etched into the acrylic and “catch” the light that is coming in from the edge, giving the actual numbers a brighter appearance compared to the adjacent surface area.
真正的标识数字是刻在亚克力板上的，这样边缘的光亮也能照到，相比旁边的区域来说，数字的光亮也会更亮一些。
Sleep Number has incorporated more elaborate number displays into some of their in-store branding presentations, like this:
Sleep Number已经整合了大量的数字展具到他们店铺的品牌呈现上，就像这样的：
Lit window signage is certainly not news, but a strong design combined with an innovative use of illumination can result in a compelling handshake with the signature (primary) facility signage.
橱窗发光标识当然不是新闻，但是 结合了新颖的用途的强化发光标识可以在主要的标识标牌上，营造出不一样的效果。
Light Flow Control
亮度变化的控制
Another current illumination practice is controlling the appearance of channel letter faces through the usage of light management film. This product provides a method for a channel letter sign to have a differing face color when illuminated (i.e., night face color appearance is different from day.)
另一个目前的照明实践是通过使用光管理膜来控制发光字的呈现效果。这个产品也为发光字标识发光时呈现不同颜色提供了很好的方法（白天和晚上呈现出来的颜色是不一样的。）
This practice can be helpful when the optimal day channel letter face color is not the best night color. This situation can be solved by the use of perforated vinyl applied to the letter face, and it may also involve the use of diffuser film on the letter face interiors.
当白天比较好看的发光颜色不适合晚上发光的时候，这项实践还是比较有用的。这种情况其实也是可以解决的，通过把穿孔过的树脂放到发光字表面，以及涉及到到发光字内部反射片的使用情况。
This material allows sufficient emitted light to change the night color appearance of the letter face. What this creates is a sort of optical illusion – the brightness of the light emitted through the perforations overpowers the visibility of the sign face color itself. The “field of light” created in front of the letters creates the illusion of a color.
这种材料允许充足的光线来改变字母正面的颜色外观。这样的一种创新会给人产生一种错觉-当光亮穿过压膜，会在标识正面产生发散现象的，非常的美观。这种光束会在字母的光亮上创造出色彩幻觉。
Mixed Color Halo Illumination
多种七彩光晕发光字
Another interesting lighting practice is to vary the halo color among differing letters in the sign. Many reverse lit letter sets are illuminated with a single color. However, the specification of a second halo color can increase a sign’s capacity to generate attention. This design may also be useful in projecting a primary brand color through the sign halo.
另外一种有趣的发光实践就是标识上的不同字母之间会有光晕的变化。很多背面发光字都是只能单一的发光。但是，有一种光晕的颜色可以增加标识的发光吸引力。这种设计对于标识光晕标识标牌颜色设计是比较有利的。
For example, see the image below for a sign that uses both red and black halo colors:
例如，见下图，红色和黑色光晕的标识：
These multi-colored channel letter halos create a distinct appearance.
这种多彩的发光字会给人一种比较醒目的感觉。
Using the same principle, this reverse lit channel letter set has the business name illuminated in basic white, and the business type illuminated in yellow.
同一道理，类似的背面发光字设计上都是标识名字以基础白色为发光色，标识类型就以黄色为发光色。
This is a simple yet significant design and illumination practice. The mixed color scheme may draw further attention to the reverse lit letter set.
这也是一个简单的却很有意义的发光设计实践。这种混合颜色的方案也可能会进一步提升背面发光字的注意力。
Conclusion
总结
Both new products and new ideas can result in a compelling sign illumination plan. New LED has increased illumination capability and may now be used in locations which previously required a differing illumination type. Developers may also specify accent lighting to further enhance a development’s branding capacity. Last, both innovative use of existing illumination technology (such as window signs and indoor displays) and the placement of additional lighting colors into a letter set may also be effective signage configurations.
新产品和新设计都可能会产生美观的发光方面的设计构思。新型LED新增加了性能，可能会被用到需要不同发光类型的地方。发展商也会提高品牌的性能来突出特殊的照明。最近，发光技术的的创新用法（比如橱窗标识和室内展览）以及安装不同发光颜色到字母上，这也是标识行业一项可喜可贺的进步！
