I had never seen Budapest’s neon signs glowing in real life, yet they captivated me from the very first moment. The quirky messages written in looping letters, the charming animal and human figures – all shining in the Budapest night – completely hypnotised me.

I first came across them in 2014 while searching for a topic for my graphic design diploma project. That’s when I discovered the Neonon group, who were the first in Hungary, back in the 2000s, to draw attention to the country’s disappearing neon signs. They dreamed of creating a neon museum in Budapest – an idea that sadly remains only a vision to this day – but I ended up designing its fictional visual identity for my diploma work, which became the closing chapter of my university years.

Still, the subject never left me. Over the years, I kept returning to the world of neon through various projects. I helped create neonvadasz.blog, which refreshed the original online Budapest neon map developed by the Neonon group in 2016. Together with Isabel Val and Iván Kozák, I created its printed and English-language editions, which later became a limited-edition guidebook and poster.

But beyond the beautifully designed publications, reality was far less poetic: Budapest’s neon signs were disappearing one by one.

Many ended up in landfills, others were taken into private collections by self-appointed “neon hunters,” and the few that remained often hung in a neglected, non-functioning state on building façades.

I felt I had to do something – and that’s how the Cső – Legyél te is neonmentő! (Be a Neon Rescuer!) poster collection was born. The dusted-off neon signs, reimagined as colourful screen prints, make unique gifts and bold interior pieces. And the income from each poster goes directly towards restoring real neon signs.

The Cső project simply wouldn’t exist without the help of Mihány Hallgas and Vendel, two of the last remaining masters of traditional neon craftsmanship.

Alongside the restorations, I’ve also led neon walks and given talks on the topic in various forums. I’m always happy to contribute to any initiative that helps shine a light on neon signs and their cultural significance.

Thank you for reading the story of how Cső came to life. If you’d like to dive deeper, check out the News section – and if you’d like to support our mission, feel free to explore the Shop.

Be a neon rescuer!