Looking for inspo outside the industry? Over the years Jeff Russ, content studio manager for Signs of the Times’ parent company SmartWork Media, has collected hundreds of pics that inspire and entertain our signage and graphics followers on social media.
This year he’s curated nearly two dozen photos of magnificent holiday lighting displays throughout Europe. These jaw-dropping designs offer a lesson in visual impact (and may have you Googling “last-minute flight to Italy”).
For more of Jeff’s finds, check out our Facebook page at facebook.com/signsofthetimesmagazine.
Parallel strands of warm white icicle lights create a rainshower effect above this quiet brick street in Vienna. They also illuminate the blade signs of designer stores, including Gucci, Fendi and Giorgio Armani.
Script signs beneath and behind an Advent arch complement the classic white lights outside the Rathaus city hall in Rathausplatz, Vienna.
The flowing lines of illuminated wings evoke the look of neon in this stunning street display in Barcelona, Spain.
Check out the crane install on this towering storybook lighting display in Amsterdam featuring cutouts of trees and a moon covered in blue and yellow holiday lights.
Sparse strands of warm white lights, illuminated angel silhouettes and spherical Christmas-light lanterns add warmth to this charming corner in Assisi, Italy.
Located in Florence, Italy’s Piazza Santa Maria Novella, this kaleidoscopic tree is quite possibly the most artistic one we’ve ever seen.
Or when you can’t find a tall enough tree… (Also in Italy.)
Lights tightly placed with exacting precision earn more than one gold star in this shining display over an outdoor market in Dresden, Germany.
Natural garland and a tree adorned in large white bulbs accent the traditional Bavarian painted lettering in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany.
Any sign pro can appreciate the crisp-edged details on this whimsical tree in Wrocław, Poland.
This silvery, structural feather-inspired installation above the streets of London shows cool white LEDs aren’t to be overlooked (or in this case, can’t be).
Meanwhile on London’s Oxford Street, gold and red colored stars hanging from strands of icicle lights form a cosmic curtain above the buses en route below.
Also in London, festive angels spread their wings over Regent Street in a twinkling netted train of canopies over the retail strip.
Even basic traffic signs look charming next to pillars covered in vertical strands of warm white lights in Prague.
Golden light envelopes pedestrians inside this pointed, Gothic arch tunnel in Oslo, Norway.
Don’t be afraid to branch out. Cool blue contrasts with warm white in this curvy display in Seville, Spain.
‘Tis the season for layering. Astronaut Santa and a massive holiday tree overlook the illuminated signage of Chanel and Guerlain at Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann in France.
Illuminated spheres and silver bells create a holy aesthetic in Moscow.
Happy holidays from all of us at Signs of the Times.
20 Holiday Lighting Displays You Have to See to Believe
Looking for inspo outside the industry? Over the years Jeff Russ, content studio manager for Signs of the Times’ parent company SmartWork Media, has collected hundreds of pics that inspire and entertain our signage and graphics followers on social media.
This year he’s curated nearly two dozen photos of magnificent holiday lighting displays throughout Europe. These jaw-dropping designs offer a lesson in visual impact (and may have you Googling “last-minute flight to Italy”).
For more of Jeff’s finds, check out our Facebook page at facebook.com/signsofthetimesmagazine.