Designing neon interfaces that still feel usable

High-contrast neon looks striking in a mock, then falls apart the moment body copy, forms, and motion enter the picture. The glow has to support hierarchy, not compete with it.

I treat accent color like a spotlight: one active state, one primary action, and quiet chrome everywhere else. Borders stay thin. Shadows stay colored, never muddy.

If the interface still works in grayscale, the neon is doing its job.