Light. Light is the most fundamental element of the cosmos. Everything we see is defined by light. Everything you see, in fact, is light reflecting off of objects in your environment. That reflected light passes through your retina, refracts through it, reaching your optic nerve. The optic nerve then carries the information to your brain where your perception of the world is literally reconstructed.
Light is the engine that carries our perceptions to a wider world. Light is the most important element of any architectural design.
Every architectural project starts with an architect. (surprising, I know!) Then, Interior designers are consulted followed by the Landscape designer. While all of these professional aspects of design are important, their work would be folly without the lighting designer.
How could you even find your way into the building if the way was not properly lit?
Lighting design plays the crucial role in bringing the designs of other trades into the world of the sighted. It is a very practical role, but it is also a very metaphysical role.
Light not only shapes perceptions. Light shapes moods. Our environment shapes our moment-to-moment experience of the world. Studies have shown that cooler light (light that resembles daylight, having a lower color temperature ) leads to a more positive outlook and greater productivity levels.
Colored light equally shapes mood. Other studies have found that blue light makes people feel more awake. Not a surprising result as we have been conditioned to associate sunlight with being awake. On the flip side, warm colored light induces sleepiness and reducing alertness.
Understanding how lighting design effects human psychology helps lighting designers select lighting solutions more appropriate to the primary function of the space.
Light Layering. One of the must fundamental rules of thumb in lighting design is layering. There should be three to four layers of light in each space. You could think of light layers as different types of light sources. These might include direct light, such as recessed can lights, or indirect light, such as cove lighting.
Layers of light can also include accent or art lights and task lights. When all of the layers of light are combined, a lighting composition is created. Layering isn’t just for light and can be found in all areas of design.
A landscape might be layered with different plant species to form a more appealing composition.
An interior space might be layered with different textures or materials to create a richer composition.
The days of having only a single incandescent bulb to light a room are gone, and we gladly celebrate its departure!
The lighting designer of today has many lighting design technologies at its disposal. Some of those include incandescent, halogen, fluorescent, and LED which in itself comes with a host of fixtures options (can lights, sconces, chandeliers, pendants, tracks, strips) all which can be electronically controlled and automated.
Fulkra understands the importance of a well planned and executed lighting design. On every project, we work closely with our partnered light designers to help create a perfectly balanced environment containing technology that seamlessly integrates with all aspects of design.
Contact 877.738.5572 today to discuss how Fulkra can help you with your lighting design project.