Using lighting to create atmosphere

Let There Be Lighting

The design of a public space should be a holistic process created with the visitor journey in mind. When it comes to retail, events and exhibitions, brands need to communicate with their customers using a visual language, forming an atmosphere that reflects their values, story and key message.

“Light attracts people, it shows the way, and when we see it in the distance, we follow it,” says the renowned Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta. While our minds take time to understand images, colours and text, we can sense ambience almost immediately, connecting our present experience to our moods, emotions and memories. Selecting the right lighting can therefore help to engage with customers more deeply.

Ideas for Choosing Atmospheric Lighting

Whether you’re looking to refresh a retail space, prepare an event display or organise an exhibition showcase, being organised and creative with lighting choices can help to make a lasting impression.

• Alternate Lighting Types – Consider how you want to divide or highlight different areas of your space and select lighting to suit. For example, low ambient lighting is ideal for setting a calming atmosphere, while accent or spotlighting will draw attention to products or displays.

• Think About Temperature – Just as with colour, different tones of lighting can affect how customers will feel within a space. For example, a warm honey-hued light might suggest a cosy domestic space, while a bright, blue-tinged light will feel more modern and spacious.

• Add an Innovative Lightbox – Lighting doesn’t just have to be about existing fixtures and bland bulbs. Illuminated displays can be created to suit specific dimensions and purposes using your company’s imagery and branding, resulting in a highly effective and memorable marketing tool. What’s more, their lightweight construction and flexibility mean that they can be used time and again, ideal for repeat events, new products or seasonal promotions.