What Skills Should You Learn Before Designing Custom LED Neon Signs?

I’ve recently become interested in custom LED neon signs and realized that creating a great sign involves much more than choosing colors and fonts. It combines creativity with practical design skills.

For those with experience, which skills do you think are the most valuable to learn?

Some areas I’ve found important include:

Basic graphic design and typography
Color theory and visual contrast
Vector design software such as Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW
Understanding materials and sign sizing
Designing for readability from different viewing distances
Creating designs that work for businesses, events, and home décor

I’m also curious whether taking short courses in graphic design or sign-making is worthwhile for beginners, or if self-learning through online tutorials is enough to build professional-level skills.

I’d love to hear from designers, sign makers, or business owners about which educational resources or practical experiences helped you create better custom LED neon signs. Any tips or learning recommendations would be greatly appreciated!