28 june 2024
Express research
28 june 2024
In lighting, it is important to conduct not only laboratory tests of lighting devices, but also qualitative studies of visual perception. We would like to share the results of an express study conducted together with interior designers and planners as part of the Light Week in Tomsk.
Formulation of the problem
We tried to give a qualitative assessment of various lighting scenarios for work areas. 13 specialists took part in the experiment. A total of 7 light scenarios were studied. Participants were asked 3 questions for each scene:
How much do you like this scene?
How comfortable is this scene for work?
Describe your impressions of the lighting scenario in free form.
For the first two questions, participants gave a score on a scale from 1 to 5, where 1 means not liking or feeling comfortable at all, and 5 means liking it very much or being comfortable.
For the experiment, we recreated the most common scenarios in offices and offices, including direct, reflected, flood light and combinations thereof
Visualizations already give an idea of the atmosphere in the workplace, but it is incomplete, because... we cannot estimate how easy it is to read and write under such conditions, how our consciousness will react to changes in the level of illumination in the work area and environment.
Participants' rating
The participants liked the lighting scheme with direct directional light the least. The average score for the first question is 2.7. Not a single “good” rating, only two “excellent” ratings.
Among the disadvantages of such lighting, the most obvious ones were the sharpness of the shadows from direct light, the atmosphere of “loneliness” and the strong contrast with the surroundings. As a plus, the study participants noted that the scenario is great for solitary routine work, and the effect of highlighting and personalizing the space is perfect for lighting restaurants.
This scenario is often implemented using track spotlights; it is common in modern interiors, where low-voltage track systems are used for general lighting.
The lighting scenario I liked the most was a combined scheme with diffused direct light and reflected light from the ceiling.
The participants did not give any negative marks or express an unambiguous negative reaction to the concept of combined lighting. Everyone noted the comfort of vision, the feeling of ambient air in the space, positive emotions and impressions. Designers and planners considered that working with such a lighting scheme would be very comfortable, although illumination measurements showed that achieving a standardized level of horizontal illumination with such a scheme is more difficult than with a directed concentrated beam of light.
The most common workplace lighting scheme, direct diffused light, received rather mixed reviews. On the one hand, this is “soft and relaxing lighting,” on the other hand, it “does not provide an effect for work,” according to the participants.
Formulation of the problem
We tried to give a qualitative assessment of various lighting scenarios for work areas. 13 specialists took part in the experiment. A total of 7 light scenarios were studied. Participants were asked 3 questions for each scene:
How much do you like this scene?
How comfortable is this scene for work?
Describe your impressions of the lighting scenario in free form.
For the first two questions, participants gave a score on a scale from 1 to 5, where 1 means not liking or feeling comfortable at all, and 5 means liking it very much or being comfortable.
For the experiment, we recreated the most common scenarios in offices and offices, including direct, reflected, flood light and combinations thereof
Visualizations already give an idea of the atmosphere in the workplace, but it is incomplete, because... we cannot estimate how easy it is to read and write under such conditions, how our consciousness will react to changes in the level of illumination in the work area and environment.
Participants' rating
The participants liked the lighting scheme with direct directional light the least. The average score for the first question is 2.7. Not a single “good” rating, only two “excellent” ratings.
Among the disadvantages of such lighting, the most obvious ones were the sharpness of the shadows from direct light, the atmosphere of “loneliness” and the strong contrast with the surroundings. As a plus, the study participants noted that the scenario is great for solitary routine work, and the effect of highlighting and personalizing the space is perfect for lighting restaurants.
This scenario is often implemented using track spotlights; it is common in modern interiors, where low-voltage track systems are used for general lighting.
The lighting scenario I liked the most was a combined scheme with diffused direct light and reflected light from the ceiling.
The participants did not give any negative marks or express an unambiguous negative reaction to the concept of combined lighting. Everyone noted the comfort of vision, the feeling of ambient air in the space, positive emotions and impressions. Designers and planners considered that working with such a lighting scheme would be very comfortable, although illumination measurements showed that achieving a standardized level of horizontal illumination with such a scheme is more difficult than with a directed concentrated beam of light.
The most common workplace lighting scheme, direct diffused light, received rather mixed reviews. On the one hand, this is “soft and relaxing lighting,” on the other hand, it “does not provide an effect for work,” according to the participants.
This scenario assumes the use of luminaires with frosted diffusers and symmetrical diffuse CSS. To create it, both downlights and pendant lamps can be used.In this scenario, visual perception and the boundary between pleasant and unpleasant sensations depend on the horizontal illumination on the working plane. An insufficient level of light does not allow one to quickly and easily solve a visual problem, and the absence of a reflected component from the walls leads to low cylindrical illumination. This is what affects audience ratings.But such a scheme can easily be supplemented with accent light or a table lamp. To improve color rendering quality, you can even use devices with different color temperatures. This solution was tested as an experiment and received a clear positive assessment.Flood lighting on walls works well not in the workspace area, but on the periphery. Taking your eyes off the laptop or paper materials does not change the conditions of adaptation, but focuses on infinity, relaxes and rests. The near-field fill scheme did not receive strong marks, as did the combined scheme with reflected and direct light together.Based on the results of the express study, several important hypotheses about lighting scenarios can be made:Combined schemes using reflected and direct light are perceived more advantageously. People notice the surrounding space; the level of horizontal illumination plays a lesser role on visual perception;High contrasts and sharp shadows may not be suitable for everyday work scenarios, but they perfectly personalize the work area;Flood lighting of walls helps visual adaptation and works better at a distance from the work area; flood lighting of the immediate environment does not add visual comfort;Perception is highly dependent on the choice of color temperature and lighting in the workplace. The same scenario is perceived differently under warm or cool shades of light;Reflected light allows you to create a space where the lack of illumination is not visually felt and is compensated by an atmosphere of light saturation.Well, the main conclusion that we, together with the designers, made is that the monofunctional approach to designing workspace lighting does not satisfy modern user requests for a flexible lighting environment, where comfort depends on specific circumstances and needs, and combinations of lighting devices with intelligent control make it possible to build a scenario for myself.When designing, it is necessary to connect the functional purpose of the space and possible lighting scenarios, take into account the user’s preferences and personal characteristics.
