The Effects of Lighting in a Design Plan Assignment | Online Assignment

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                          The Effect of Lighting in a Design plan

The literature review deliberates on the impact of lighting in a space and its effect on the space and its users. The importance of lighting in interior design has been researched through various viewpoints and is widely recorded; however, the outcomes of these studies are not always rational. This review consists of the importance of lighting in a space and the difference a proper lighting design can make, and the relationship between lighting and its effect on the mood of the occupants. It also discusses how lighting can define the ambience of a space. In addition, it also elaborates on the types of lights and lighting designs.

 

1. Interaction of lighting in Interior Design

Lighting is considered to be one of the significant elements in the field of interior designing. According to the interior design academy, without lighting, every other element that’s included wouldn’t be capable of bringing out the full potential of the design. Other than its practical purpose, lighting has the capability to fix the mood, as well as the ambience of a space while also enhancing the colour, texture and lines included within the space. Be it natural or artificial, light is a major element of any space (2018). A suitable lighting design for any space should look good, administer the adequate proportion of light in all the rooms, the design should be prepared and built within the budget and should focus on other constraints, it should be eco-friendly and sustainable, it should blend with architecture and other interior designs, bring out the true colors of the space, set the required moods of the space and a good system to control the lighting (Benya, 2005).

An interior designer can always design a fascinating space giving attention to all the details, using the finest materials in the most charming colors, but without a good lighting design, it will all be a waste of time, money, and effort (Serra, 1998). Lighting has a significant role in the way people perceive and approach architecture and interior designs. However, buildings and structures are lit, whether artificial or using daylight, lighting is one mode that lets people comprehend, appreciate and acknowledge the beauty of the constructions around them (TCP, 2017).  Light has the ­ability to transform a space from gloomy to vibrant or from dull to classy. Lighting is a significant element in interior designing and it should not be neglected. The method in which a designer uses to assimilate lighting into the interior of a space, will define its ambience, as well as the mood of the occupant, as it can have a huge influence on his or her viewpoint. A lighting design should always be chosen carefully, as it can impose a different magnitude wholly to the interior.

Lighting is most often the one tool that gives life to an interior design. Interior design in lighting has a vital role in setting the desired mood and balancing the atmosphere of the interior of a space.  Interior designers usually have various resources in lighting that assist in designing useful spaces that aligns with the particular requirements of the clients. It is essential to find out the benefit of all types of lighting source accessible and which specific requirement it would accomplish (Ivonne, 2016).  Choosing the right lighting is the crucial phase in interior design as it has the ability to compliment the overall appearance of a space and enhance the other appliances, colours, interior decors and even the wallpapers used. Innovative handling of lighting has the ability to enhance any designer’s interior design project. None of the interior elements provide a variety of choices other than lighting. Lighting helps us to control the mood and impression of colors. This bare fact solely shows how important lighting is in almost every artistic venture. The lighting output of the overall space decides whether the complete appearance of the space is felt as visually pleasing (Bommel, 2019).

 

2. Designing the lighting for a space

When lighting is taken into consideration, it is necessary to discuss the functions that will be taking place within the space. The Interior Design Academy in their article called the elements of interior design explains that both the quality and quantity of lighting should be analyzed while designing a space. For example, a workspace or an office will need bright lighting so that the employees are able to view clearly and perform better. On the other hand, the lighting of a living room can be designed with a softer touch. Adding a dimmer has the capability to transform a space into even more adaptability. Natural light should always be considered as an option in a lighting design, as it can be manipulated to enhance the space by the clever arrangement of doors, windows and even mirrors (2018).

Moreover, any experienced interior designer would know that the lighting fixtures or luminaires are a visual component in themselves, which can include the perfect touch to any design. Interior design professionals usually analyze the kind of activities that would be taking place in each room of the space to ensure that there is sufficient light reaching every corner for the functions to be undertaken and that the intensity of the lighting is bright enough to illuminate the space that requires particular lighting.  Task lighting is another feature that lets the designers place adequate light sources wherever it is needed the most, illuminating particular areas and providing visibility for the functionality of the space (Ivonne, 2016). The level of brightness of a space, the balanced distribution of the luminance, the lighting directionality, the rate of discomfort and glare and the light’s colour hue determine visual satisfaction (Bommel, 2019). Visual comfort in a space would depend on the lighting of spaces such as the light sources within the area of view. If the areas are too lustrous or the contrast within the lit areas is too high, this will lead to visual discomfort as well as glare ( Poursafar, Devi, Lewlyn. Rodrigues, 2016)

Developing optimum lighting for a space will need a fair usage of light resources and will depend on the colours of the materials used. Ambient lighting should offer a balanced illumination to the overall interior and should provide warmth, ease and comfort when the user is within the space. With a proper lighting plan, every space would assure balanced general lighting along with quality visual comfort. While designing the lighting, a rational layout of the lighting should be planned in accordance to the pattern of the building’s architecture. Neutral colours are preferred for illumination, and luminaires should preferably match the colour of the ceiling or coordinate with it visually. Adjustable general lighting systems, such as portable lights on tracks and adjustable downlights, are recommended, as they help in obtaining visual comfort and complete functionality of each user’s requirements within flexible spaces. It is always better when surfaces are not too reflective, but usually light in colour (Basel, 2019).

While designing a lighting plan, it is essential that the type of lighting chosen   enhances the remaining of the interior design plan. If the plan consists of prominent interior decors or furniture, analyzing how to highlight those pieces in specific using different types of light, would complement its appearance. If the space is designed using soft decor with warm colours, it would be wise to not use harsh white lighting.

A finely-designed and brightly lit environment will have a positive effect on the  mood and vigilance of the user, whereas a dim atmosphere has its own benefits as it can help in boosting the creativity of the occupant, therefore it is essential to choose the lighting according to the functionality of the space. In interior design, lighting is a significant tool to improve the affective accuracy, ­comfort and pleasantness. Brandston, a well-known international lighting designer who has over 50 years of experience in the interior design field, stated: “I always light the spaces first and then supplement for the tasks. I do not light for the tasks and then supplement for the spaces” (Brandston 2010).

3. The impact of lighting in the interiors

Light is one of the crucial components of interior design. By altering the density, hue or/and placement of light, it can impact the ambience of any interior space. The perception and mood of an environment is what defines the ambiance of a space. It is a dynamic element in delivering service in any context or organization. While designing the interiors of a space, it is necessary to consider what mood and ambience would be convenient and comfortable for the users of the space. Lighting has an impressive effect on the ambience as well as the mood of an interior space; various schemes are used relying on the purpose/functionality of the space.

3.1 How lighting affects the ambience of a space

A few of the finest examples of mood/ambience lighting in commercial interior design are bars, cafes and restaurants. From brightly lit and loud diners, to romantic candlelit restaurants, to mysteriously dim night clubs. The intensity of lighting and colour are important tools for developing a desired ambience. Having access to various lighting sources will enable the designer to regulate the mood and ambience within that setting. Developing the appropriate ambiance in a space is as simple as understanding the type of lighting that can create the ambience that a client is looking for. Light does way more than just enabling the occupants to view the space better, it helps in setting up a mood and an atmosphere for whatever design the user of the space would require. Light, together with the colour associated, has the capability to transform the whole ambience and atmosphere a space can create (Bagnato,2016).

Somewhat similar to what the choice of colours can do to a space, lighting can drastically transform the space by changing the atmosphere, setting and the feel of an interior. Excessive lighting or a lighting plan with the least illuminance will not create a pleasant atmosphere. It can completely disrupt the whole interior plan when the lighting plan goes wrong. An equally illuminated space usually looks tedious and excessive direct light would cause discomfort in the occupants.There are two primary characteristics of light to be taken into consideration while designing a lighting project, which are accountable for the user’s viewpoint of the hues and tints of the lighting, and can make a difference to the final look or atmosphere of a space: Colour Temperature and Chromatic Rendering Index (CRI). These characteristics of light are responsible for creating clarity and ambience, and can totally alter the way one’s perception and how they feel about a space. Out of these, Colour Temperature changes the atmosphere of an interior by enhancing the colour of the light that can vary from warm to cold. It is important to take into consideration if the space has an access to natural light, the materials’ colour used and the practical needs to choose the type of atmosphere that would be most appropriate for the users (Basel, 2019).

Even if the interior of a space looks great, but lacks the ambiance for the functionality of the space, the whole design of the interior would become dull and space would look incomplete. The kinds of spaces that lack the proper ambience fail to make an impact on the users. A well-designed interior plan can be accomplished through the various decisions made during the designing of the plans ceiling plan, floor and lighting plan, layout of the furniture) and by wisely choosing the decorative accessories.

3.2 Effect of lighting on the mood of the occupants

Lighting has a significant impact in determining the mood of the users of a space. It is a fundamental factor that needs to be taken into consideration while inspecting to design an area. Due to the emergence of various smart lighting systems, often it is better to adjust lighting than to change the color of a wall in an enclosed space. The overall appearance of the room can be modified using dimmer or brighter lights. Not only does lighting affect the psychological emotions of an individual, but it has also proven to refashion a room’s shape and size significantly. A small room can be transformed to appear larger by painting light colors on the walls and mounting additional lights with the purpose of reflecting the lights off the walls. Recessed lighting has the ability to make a room appear larger without compromising the space of a room and correspondingly add a mild soft glow to the room.

The psychological influence of bright white light on the user’s mood have been researched widely as well, though the results found were contrasting. A few researchers revealed no particular impact of white light on the space user’s mood. Research conducted by Baron and colleagues failed to find a significant impact of lighting design on the user’s mood. Whereas, they figured out various consistent impacts of lighting on indirect analysis of the user’s mood. Light with a warmer tone (3000K) was found to improve the compliance to benefit in another experiment and to clear up varied results as compared to co white light with a cooler tone (4200K). Lights with lower illuminance (150lx) were found to improve grading for an imaginary staff and to boost the amount of time subjects were ready to spend willingly on the experiment which was in line to be conducted next (Baron, Rea, Daniels, 1992).

In a research conducted by Knez (2000), he argued that an individual’s mood is subject to change depending upon the lighting. Numerous experiments were conducted with respect to different exposure time to lighting. The study portrayed the fact that under warmer light settings, female participants were able to suppress their negative emotions. Under cooler light conditions, the negative moods of the females were boosted. However, the results for male participants were contradictory to that of the females. Male participants did not have any influence on positive emotions. A later study conducted by Knez and Enmarker (1998) found conflicting results which depicted that female participants had their negative emotions boosted under warmer light settings while male participants had their negative moods increased under cooler white light conditions. Cooler warm lights settings had a positive impact on the positive emotions of  female participants while in the case of males, warmer light settings were the primary factor for positive mood enhancement.

The research on lighting influences an individual’s emotion conducted by Knez (1995) found that both males and females interpret and analyze lighting in different perceptions. Cooler white light settings suppressed the negative mood in males whereas in the case of females, warmer light conditions were solemnly responsible for suppressed negative moods. The best cognitive performance was due to the presence of least-negative moods in the research.

Küller (2006) in his research seeks to examine the influence of lighting. For the purpose of the research, participants who were real employees working indoors were chosen. The researcher examined the degree of influence in various aspects such as different geographical locations and exposure to different weather conditions. However, Küller found that the mood of an individual was unaffected due to illumination. In return, he found that there was a positive relationship between psychological mood and judgement of lighting. Küller observed that if an individual judged lighting correctly, the mood of the individual increased. Consequently, the mood of an individual decreased with respect to the judgement of the individual of being way off- either too dim or too bright (Küller R, Ballal S, Laike T, Mikellides B, Tonello G, 2006).

Blending cool white light with colored accent lighting is deemed to have an increased effect on coziness. This combination is also known to create a pleasant atmosphere for younger individuals. Although the nature of the atmosphere varied greatly between younger and older individuals, there existed a slight opportunity to achieve similar pleasant emotions for the elder individuals too (Kuijsters, Redi, Ruyter, Seuntiëns, Heynderickx 2014).

The degree of lighting and color influences the mood of an individual, consequently influencing the psychological behavior of the individual. Low-warm light conditions were proved to generate a more soothing and friendly environment which was preferred at homes and retail stores. While, bright-cooler lighting conditions were known to create a more thrilling and energetic mood.

 

3.3. Influence of light on the occupants on various levels

Light and the several features that it encompasses can be held responsible for affecting the physical as well as psychological health of an individual.

3.3.1 Impact of light on biological level

The biological effects that light has on an individual can be classified into direct and indirect effects based on the awareness and drowsiness of an individual. In order to measure the degree of direct effects on melatonin or cortisol stages, self-reported moods and physiological moods can be used. LeGates, Fernandez, and Hattar (2014) stated, “The indirect effects of lighting on mood are well documented”. Above mentioned melatonin refers to a pineal hormone that is responsible for transmitting drowsiness signals and lowering the temperature of the body. Melatonin hormone when released at night can be functioned at either the initial or final stages when an individual is exposed to the right amount of bright light. This exposure affects the circadian rhythm in humans.

When the circadian rhythm faces any sort of interference (due to jet lag, night shift work, etc.), the individual will experience drowsy and fatigue symptoms (Shikder, Mourshed, Price, 2012). When a person experiences seasonal affective disorders, which is typically depression experienced during cold weather, it is said to be the result of interference in the circadian rhythm. Seasonal affective disorders can also refer to the phenomenon where an individual is suddenly exposed to a different weather condition which causes failure in adaptation to the short or long lengths of the day. The experience of bright light therapy is known to have a significant impact in plummeting depression symptoms, drowsiness symptoms and/or seasonal affective disorders (Golden, Gaynes, Ekstrom, Hamer, Jacobsen, Suppes, 2005).

3.3.2 Impact of light on psychological level

Lighting also has an effect on the psychological mood of an individual. Flynn et al. (1973) researched the fluctuations in individuals’ moods and behaviors with respect to an adjustable lighting environment. The research drew light on the various elements that were often snubbed. Flynn et al. observed in previous researches that feelings of well-being and other related moods were affected by lighting. Instantly, Flynn et al. was able to identify that lighting effects could be measured using certain psychological procedures (Flynn, 1973).

Ever since Flynn’s research, several related researches have evolved with regards to the study conducted in 1973. One such research was Durak (2006) study which aimed at examining the qualitative features of a space with regards to different lighting and visual decoration elements. Participants were made to rate rooms based on different elements such as clarity, spaciousness, relaxation, privacy, pleasantness, and order. These elements included general lighting, wall washing, and cove lighting. The participants of the study had different liking towards the combination of each distinctive element. Primarily, high luminance levels adhered to higher clarity of a space. Whereas, low luminance led to more relaxation. It was also observed that feelings of pleasantness were maximized at both luminance levels, however, feelings of order diminished at low luminance levels.

In a study conducted by Terman & Terman (2005), it was found that 2000 years ago, Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, claimed that lack of lighting in cold seasons can cause negative effects on individuals. Hippocrates claimed that individuals can develop certain diseases due to this phenomenon. As a result, the study of how lighting affects an individual’s mood and using bright lights to treat human disorders have been a matter of popular extensive interest between researchers. Zeitgeber is defined as “a rhythmically occurring natural phenomenon which acts as a cue in the regulation of the body’s circadian rhythms”. Light is considered as the key ‘zeitgeber’ responsible for generating human cardiac rhythms. These cardiac rhythms produced are known to be much more powerful than other ‘zeitgeber’ (Challet 2007).  Light can also result in various non-visual phenomena such as ‘hormone regulation, the synchronization of the circadian system, the regulation of body temperature, and regulation of cognition and alertness’ (Brainard, 2005; Lockley, 2006; Vandewalle, 2009; Dijket, 2009; Cajochen, 2007). The treatment of using bright lights on individuals can be dated back to 1987 when Lewy et al. validated the fact that bright lights indeed can alter cardiac rhythms as a result significantly reducing melatonin.

As previously mentioned, clinical bright light therapy is commonly used to treat seasonal disorders such as negative moods due to lack of lighting in winter. Light is known to stabilize emotions of an individual over time (Wirz-Justice, 2004). In the current era, clinical light therapy is even used to treat sleep disorders, dementia and even affective disorders (Shirani, 2009).

 

4. Daylight as a sustainable element in lighting

Before the invention of artificial lights, human beings heavily relied on natural lighting. The concept of daylighting can also be seen as an important topic in interior design studies. Daylighting is defined as the process of using conservative-soothing natural lighting to light up an interior space. Researchers claim that daylighting has significant benefits both on the interior space as well as the individuals residing in that space. The individuals exposed to daylighting have shown an upscale in productivity and conserving energy (Reinhart,2002).

Daylighting triggers benefits in individuals based on visual sense of viewing light. Daylighting is known to be an important tool responsible for enhancing the quality of an interior space that is also eco-friendly. Daylighting is also known to have increased consequence on the emotions and moods of an individual. Researchers Coles & House (2007) claims, “natural light can make a room alive, when we feel turning earth, and moving sunlight it is effective to individual vision and their sense”.

4.1 Types of natural light

The sun and sky are the two major sources of daylighting (Zemmoure & Schiller, 2004). Syed Husin & Hanur Harith (2012) presented the concept of daylighting as a system that fosters the passing of a natural light into an interior space. Natural lighting can be divided into two sets, sunlight and daylight Coles & House (2007). Sunlight as the name suggests is defined as the light that comes from the sun which has several physiological and psychological effects on an individual. Daylight on the other hand is defined as the light produced by generally the sky, or the light that is generated as a result of the sun being high up on the horizon. Serra (1998) claimed “Light propagates space at a speed that for architectural purposes can be regarded as an instance”.

4.2 Biological effects of daylight

Apart from helping in viewing things better, daylight has various striking effects on humans as well as animals. Few of these impacts are physiological, whereas the rest are psychological. The extent of these impacts are pointed out by Dantsig N. M., Lazarev, D. N., and Sokolov, M. V.( June 1967). From their findings, they stated that: “If the human skin is not exposed to solar radiation (direct or scattered) for long periods of time, disturbances will occur in the physiological equilibrium of the human system. The result will be functional disorders of the nervous system and a Vitamin D deficiency, a weakening of the body’s defenses and an aggravation of chronic diseases”.

4.3 Benefits of daylight in interior spaces

Beneficial daylighting is one of the major significant criteria for determining the quality of an interior, and an essential element of physiologically stimulating and regulating the circadian rhythm of any type of space. It still continues to be necessary in creating a comfortable interior for the users. An equal distribution of daylight in the interiors of spaces, as a part of a well-planned design, can considerably decrease the energy requirements for the built environment. It has the ability to improve energy efficiency and helps in cutting down the operational costs by reducing the potential expenditure caused by the use of artificial lights (Celadyn, 2016)

Natural lighting or daylight provides the users with a pleasant atmosphere, as well as a natural environment within the interiors of the space. The practical function of natural lighting in anm interior space is much more than only the quantity of light entering the space, it also has an impact on the texture, color or shapes and also affects the design of the interior. The influence and functioning of opening designs and their effect on the space other than the user is a prominent issue (Naseri, 2014).  The application of daylight is integral to the favorable outcome of any interior design. Studies have found out that the perception and behaviour of people compelled to work within a space for a long duration of time improve when they have an exposure and a visual contact with the outside environment and the changing atmosphere of the sky (Youssef, 2006).

Natural light is the apt use of including sunlight to a design plan which would end up in favor of the designer. The concept of including sunlight into a design plan is all about taking advantage of the space or room’s position and also trying to bring out the required atmosphere and desired mood. A few interior designers based in Miami share their experience of how using huge glass windows helps in making the most out of daylight to attain the illusion of more space, while being able to experience the astounding view of the city. According to these designers, it is always better to consider the amount of daylight entering the room before selecting the colors for an interior design plan. The appropriate way to figure out the right color for a space that would balance the amount of daylight is to understand the facing side of the room . For example, in a space with the least amount of daylight, it is apt to use more bright and radiant colors to brighten up the rooms that face north. Whereas it is ideal to choose warm and cool colors for rooms that face south and are exposed to more amount of daylight in order to attain a visual balance. To the naked eye, the colors don’t differ much but they however get influenced by the mood created by lighting. (Mvicioso, 2015)

4.4 Use of natural light in various types of spaces

4.4.1 Work Space

The pleasing atmosphere obtained by the exposure to daylight reduces stress levels of the employees. Productivity and efficiency of the employees tend to increase along with improving their health, and enhanced productivity leads to financial profit for the organization.

4.4.2 Schools

According to various studies, students also tend to improve their performance with the exposure to natural light. Researchers have found that in daylit classrooms students obtain better scores and better health due to the intake of vitamin D compared to the students who are taught in poorly lit or classrooms without windows.

 

 

 

 4.4.3 Retail stores/Restaurants

Daylighting is advantageous for retail stores due to the balanced lighting that would provide enhanced color clarity. In a daylit store, customers tend to remain in stores for a longer period of time and it also helps the employees to identify the products sooner.

4.4.4 Healthcare facilities

In hospitals, exposure to daylight enhances the recovery pace of the patients. Healthcare staff also benefit from daylight, due to the pleasant atmosphere that it provides.

4.4.5 Residential buildings

The usage of daylighting reduces the electricity expenditure and enhances the well-being of the occupants of the building. Safety increases with improved light settings, such as a space being lit by daylight. The influence of daylight on the occupants of a building should be considered while designing the lighting plan as studies have found the strong impact daylight has on the users of a space in various environments.

Thus, daylighting is capable of providing satisfaction for the users of the buildings, as well as its owners.

5. Artificial lights and types of lighting designs

Artificial lighting is the comprehensive usage of light bulbs and other luminaires/light fixtures that help in setting the ambience, atmosphere and mood. Varying from vibrantly-lit family restaurants and malls to dim lit movie theatres and cafes, there are various lighting methods using artificial lights that can enhance the experience. The experience or the mood of the users of a space is so significant that interior designers based in Miami always make sure that the artificial lighting plan of all the interior design projects is carefully prepared in order to match the city’s ambiance. (Mvicioso, 2015)

5.1 Types of artificial lighting

 

There are three major types of lighting that are most commonly used by designers to design the lighting plan of a space. They are:

 

5.1.1 Ambient light

 

It is the common type of lighting used to illuminate the subject as well as the surrounding/environment. It is generally known as the primary lighting of any space. This type of lighting is obtained through natural, as well as artificial light sources and is also reflected from various surfaces.

 

5.1.2 Task light

 

It is a type of lighting that is used to illuminate a small or a specific portion used to perform various tasks. An appropriate example of this type of lighting is a desk lamp which helps to focus more light to a particular area where the work is being done.

 

5.1.3Accent light

 

This type of lighting is used to highlight a particular object, add drama and focus on the interior decorations of a space. It is used to create a visual interest in a space. An example of accent lighting can be the use of track lighting to highlight a decor or an artifact.

 

5.2 Different types of lighting designs according to the function of the space

 

5.2.1 Lighting in Schools

 

Lighting has been an important factor in designing a classroom environment. Till 1950’s, schools and classrooms primarily and/ or solely relied on daylighting to light up a school space. Classroom environments are largely based off the size and shapes of windows and the overall area of the room. After the emergence of artificial lighting thanks to low power costs, schools and classrooms began to rely less on natural daylight. These days, having windows that help save energy and a deeper understanding of lighting on the psychological and physiological effects of natural light helps classroom environments to mix and match natural and artificial lighting.

 

Daylighting in classrooms doesn’t necessarily consist of only using large windows and skylights. Having poor natural or artificial lighting can cause distress and discomfort visually and even restriction of glare. It can also result in accumulation of increased heat in the room which can be unpleasing and tiring and also lead to unnecessary reliability on air conditioned and ventilation systems. Overall, daylighting is also known to effect student morale and interest in learning. Energy saving and reduced maintenance costs are also benefits of daylighting that cannot be ignored.

5.2.2 Lighting in Restaurants

High-tier restaurants popularly have warm and low lighting during nights. This is done primarily to generate a more luxurious, friendly and content ambience. Such a pleasurable atmosphere is primarily thanks to the lighting used on the walls of restaurants. Having lights mounted on to the walls rather than traditional lights dripping from the ceiling will promote a room to appear more spacious. This is thanks to the concentration of light being equally scattered.

Low-warm lighting in premium restaurants generates relaxing moods encouraging customers to order wines, desserts and cocktails. It is also beneficial during rush hours, as it can influence an impatient customer wait due to the relaxing mood the restaurant offers.Having a low and accurate amount of lighting can help promote branding of the restaurant. It is important not to choose too many fancy colors as people might mistake it for a club or pub. Lighting also has the supremacy to influence diner’s behaviors. Other than branding and accurate targeting, the moods of diners can be positively affected due to lighting.

In fast food chain restaurants, it is a common practice to use bright lights as it increases customer turnover and expedites traffic of customers. This can prove to be beneficial in restaurants where people may experience rush most of the time due to its popularity.

 

5.2.3 Lighting in retail stores

 

Our eyes contribute 80% of the total sensory information to the brain. Consequently, lighting of a space plays an important role in the phenomenon thereby influencing an individual’s mood. In a retail space, lighting draws its spotlight on the quality of a product, the ambience of the surrounding and also generates a virtual concept in the minds of the customer. This virtual concept relates to the initial judgement of quality of the product, the purchase decision, and the overall exterior impressions of the product. Therefore, it is a known fact that lighting has a huge impact on the perception of a product/ brand and it can even formulate opinions and buying behaviors. Retailers need to place high emphasis on the lighting aspect of a space and completely digest the benefits of lighting in every buying process.

 

Fluorescent lighting is used by some retailers to transmit values of basic and elegant shopping experience to their customers. Retailers like grocery shops and wholesale retailers use this kind of fluorescent lighting as it is relatively cheap and can light up a large space by using a single unit.

Warm and incandescent light on the other hand, is used to transmit qualities like friendly and unique shopping experiences to their customers. Boutiques and similar stores make use of such lighting as they believe it brings out the true and priceless image of a product. They also believe that incandescent lighting benefits the overall space of a store by appearing less dull when trying out new clothes. A boutique would benefit such lighting as it will positively affect the buying behavior and impressions of a clothing product.

 

5.2.4 Lighting in Homes

Homes commonly consists of a mixture of daylight, artificial ambient lighting and lighting for performing various tasks. However, the ambient lighting of a space can vary as smaller and light-colored rooms require little to no ambient lighting. Having a certain number of large mirrors in the room can also indicate the need for very less lighting sources as there would be multiple surfaces for the light to reflect off from. Such a room will tend to appear more appealing and shimmering.

In a particularly dark room, it would be ideal to add ambient lighting. Adding accent lighting in a room consisting of various painting and related wall decorations can also be beneficial for home owners. Having customizable lighting is also reasonable as it can help cut down the overall cost of electricity used and allows homes to appear more dynamic with regards to ambience. Home owners can design their required ambience of a space by using more light-colored lighting sources.

5.2.5 Lighting in Hospitals

In hospitals, operation theatres and the just the surgical environments require the right amount of lighting. The lighting cannot be too dim or too bright, a balance must be struck between these two factors so that surgeons can just about focus on their tasks and minimize the amount of risks related to lighting. Accurate lighting in surgical environments will prompt doctors and nurses to perform their tasks efficiently. As a result, standardized premium lighting equipments are recommended to save time and cost in the long run. Suitable lighting will also help relieve the burden of stress from the surgeons.

In the case of a hospital room, it is fundamental that the lighting helps patients feel more at home and relaxed. Therefore, having adjustable lighting helps patients set lighting based on their own preferences. Having such options to alter lighting will create a more adaptable environment surrounding the patient. Having lighting equipment that are cost-efficient can benefit the hospital in the long run. Having customizable lighting rather than a traditional lighting with an on/off switch can greatly reduce operational costs. Customizable lighting makes low usage of watts. Low-light has dual benefits as it does not interrupt the patients who are sleeping and it helps hospital staff to perform their necessary tasks.

 

5.2.6 Lighting in work spaces

Lighting in offices can have a huge impact on the perceptions of employees and affect their performance negatively or positively. It also has the power to increase the overall aesthetic impression of an office space. It is always recommended that offices adhere to safety regulations while choosing their lighting. Mixtures of natural and artificial light are also well known in choosing the lighting of an office. Having a suitable working environment encourages staff to maximize their productivity. Lighting is a vital component that determines the condition of a workplace. Lighting has a fundamental effect on ergonomics, that is, the way in which individuals perform their tasks of a workplace. Bright lighting is known to help individuals concentrate extensively while low light promotes negative emotions like weariness and stress. Decent lighting is also known to mould happier employees by having a positive impact on the morale of employees.

It is also important that offices do not have very bright lights instead a right balance between very bright and averagely bright light will create a feeling of harmony and peace in the office environment. Based on the properties of the office regarding layout, etc., various kind of natural and artificial lighting may be needed. Typically, bright-warm lights promote qualities such as liveliness and focus which leads to effective and efficient productivity. Accurately balancing yellow and white lighting, is also essential to avoid qualities related to sleepiness and fatigue and moreover ensuring a more refreshing environment to work in.