The rational formation of aromatic chromophore arrays is an intriguing challenge since ordered collectives of chromophores possess properties that are largely different from those of the individual molecules. Therefore, nucleic acids are increasingly used as scaffolds for the construction of multi-chromophore arrays. This tutorial review provides an introduction to the field of nucleic acid-guided chromophore assemblies for non-specialists and a reference point for those familiar with the area by highlighting the recent developments and describing some of the spectroscopic methods used for the study of oligonucleotide–chromophore conjugates.