Light is quite an essential element in everyday life. The importance of lighting though, often taken for granted, cannot be underestimated. There are two major sources of light and they are grouped into natural and artificial. Natural lighting refers to the sun, moon as well as stars; while artificial refers to sources that are created by humans such as bulbs, LED’s, halogen lamps, and so on.
Lighting, which can be referred to as illumination, is the deliberate use of artificial sources of light to achieve an aesthetically pleasing effect. It is most times a key element of architectural design or part of the interior design of a space but it is much more than that. It can be used for effect in open spaces such as on streets as well as in concerts, parks, and carnivals.
Residential designs make use of sources such as incandescent and fluorescent lamps and can depend on either moveable or built-in fixtures to illuminate spaces such as a living area, dining room, kitchen, corridors, bathroom, balconies, den, or even a bedroom.
The use of light has become so important that it now transcends its primary purpose of providing illumination. With its use for the creation of effects, ambiance and the addition of aesthetic value, an entirely new industry or field of endeavor has been born out of this. We are referring to what is now known as custom lighting design.
What is Custom Lighting?
This deals with the creation of unique lighting fixtures to suite specific needs and tastes of a given client for a given space. This means that you can get a space fixed exactly the way you desire in style, shape, color, tone, and size to achieve whatever image you may have in your mind. It can typically include any of the following:
- Full-blown original designs
- Small tweaks as simple as adding a switch to a back plate.
- Modifications.
- Custom shades and finishes.
- Automation where lights change based on time of the day or movement across different spaces.
As long as you can imagine it, chances are that it can be designed. You will find how all these can improve your mood and enhance productivity here: https://www.inc.com/minda-zetlin/5-surprising-ways-lighting-can-improve-your-mood-productivity-and-health.html.
The process of getting your lighting customized can be as simple as starting with a conversation. You share your ideas and any necessary information about your building or space. From these, sketches, as well as prototypes, are developed by a designer and based on your request, your design is made to the right style, dimensions, and finishing. It is then crafted and installed by a manufacturer.
The Role of the Custom Lighting Designer and Manufacturers
A custom lighting designer is a person who plans, draws, sketches, and organizes how lighting fixtures will best fit into a space for maximum effect. They determine which kind of light is appropriate, how it can best be positioned as well as things like color, style, and brightness. You can think of them as artists who, instead of using paint and brushes, use lights to achieve aesthetic effects.
Artificial light sources such as bulbs and lamps can be designed in various shapes and styles and used by these designers to produce a variety of conditions as you can see here. If you live in Canada, as a home owner or someone who needs custom lighting, there are Canadian designers and manufacturers that can help bring your ideas to life, making whatever space you desire come alive with a beautiful and aesthetically pleasing look.
Some of what you can expect from a designer includes:
- Working with a team of creatives to come up with ideas.
- Designing the illumination needs for a space.
- Planning and working around energy use to achieve a given budget.
- Abiding by health and safety codes in their design.
Lighting manufacturers on the other hand are those who specialize in producing different kinds of light, such as incandescent, fluorescent, halogen, compound fluorescent as well as LED bulbs. They may also produce custom fixtures for a variety of these lighting types. Some manufacturers may specialize in industry-specific illumination solutions by developing fixtures for residential use, entertainment, horticulture, and several other applications.
Manufacturers and designers work closely together. In many cases, a manufacturer can also be a designer. But sometimes designers can pass on the demands of the time to the manufacturer who will then produce to specifications stipulated by the designer.
In all, a distinct symbiotic relationship exists which keeps the industry thriving.
Applications of Custom Lighting
There are several applications and places where these can be used. Such places include:
- Residential spaces
- Restaurants and diners
- Hotels
- Night Clubs
- Event centers
- Offices
- Retail Stores
- Bars and many more
Benefits
There are many advantages to custom lighting and lighting design with the obvious one being the fact that the style and design will usually be unique to your tastes.
Other benefits can include the following:
- It complements your space, accentuates its details and makes it attractive as well as aesthetically pleasing.
- You determine the kind of materials that will be used, etc.
- You can modify it if you do not like it or simply like a change.
Conclusion
Great lighting, aside its aesthetic effects, also has health benefits. It infuses a space with vigor, vibrancy as well as strength. Given this, what better way is there to light up your space than having it customized to your meet your needs and taste?
You could own a private residence and just want to come home to its beauty and serenity. Or you may own a commercial building where you welcome guests and visitors. No matter what, you can use a custom lighting designer to create an ambiance that is welcoming as well as pleasing; a space that will leave a lasting impression on people who come into it.
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