Did you know that approximately 80% of all information reaches us through our visual link with the environment?

This fact sheet is aimed at business, but the information can be used in the home.

The quality of light affects people in many different ways. For example, office worker satisfaction and productivity can be positively affected by well-designed illumination. Building owners and managers have the potential to add value, reduce costs and enhance performance through the application of good lighting. People are attracted to well-lit public facilities, shopping areas and parks. Good lighting enhances the mood and desirability of these spaces, and it contributes greatly to people's sense of wellbeing.

Basic elements

Even though each lighting situation is different the basic elements are to provide a safe, comfortable and pleasant visual environment that is easy to maintain and is as efficient and cost-effective as possible.

What is involved in good lighting design?

1. It is vital to consider the effect different lamps (or globes) and fittings will have on the area and objects you are illuminating. Differences in colour temperature and colour rendering capabilities can change the colour appearance of objects quite dramatically. A qualified lighting designer can help you to decide the best application for your business ?choose one with experience in the specific lighting applications that relate to your business.

2. Then consider how objects, people and the interior space as a whole is lit. For example, where it is important to achieve true colour rendition for clothing, cosmetics and other instances, low voltage lamps are used with metal halide lamps. Metal halides are used for the punch and the low voltage are used for the colour rendition. Well-designed lighting helps:
   • direct customers to displays and products
   • highlight areas of service
   • ensure true colours in spaces such as change rooms etc.
   • show products and staff in their best light?
   • The rest of the interior is then considered for ambient lighting, colour warmth, wall or floor surface characteristics, objects and structural features.
   • Ceiling height, colour of walls, surface texture, daylight, size of the space, and energy usage are also considered.
3. It is important to provide a reasonable budget. Ineffective lighting results when the design specifications are altered in the interests of cost savings.

   Common mistakes:
   Poor lighting design may be immediately recognised or subtly felt over time, usually resulting in visual fatigue. For example:

   • not having sufficient light on the task
   • too great a contrast between the task and its background (e.g. working on a drawing board using a local light while the rest of the room is in darkness)
   • glare due to luminaries, windows or other sources, seen either directly or by reflection (e.g. the mirror effect of display windows or showroom glass means that customers can't see the products)
   • flicker from lamps.

Imitating lighting from other establishments, unless the purpose, installation, natural light etc. are the same, may not give you the desired effect.

Lighting designers For critical and demanding projects, professional lighting designers should be considered. Their in-depth knowledge of the equipment and marketplace, as well as the techniques of theatrical and architectural lighting, allows them to offer the most appropriate and cost-effective solutions.

Further information can be obtained from the following websites: