LIGHTING TYPES

Generally and commonly, the lighting types depending on its function are divided into three categories in retail stores. Each of the types is crucial, they are :

1. Main/ambience lighting

2. Accent

3. Task

MAIN LIGHTING

Main lighting is a general light that enlighten the room. Also known as general lighting, it radiates a comfortable level of brightness without glare and allows you to see and walk about safely. In some spaces such as laundry rooms, the ambient lighting also serves as the primary source of task lighting.

It can be accomplished with chandeliers, ceiling or wall-mounted fixtures, recessed or track lights and with lanterns mounted on the outside of the home. Having a central source of ambient light in all rooms is fundamental to a good lighting plan.

ACCENT LIGHTING

Accent lighting adds drama to a room by creating visual interest. As part of an interior design scheme, it is used to draw the eye to houseplants, paintings, sculptures and other prized possessions. It can also be used to highlight the texture of a brick or stone wall, window treatments or outdoor landscaping. In case designing a retail, it is to highlight and emphasis the feature of merchandise therefore to add positive value when its visualize and attract the customer to make a communication within. However, the placement and effect created shall be thoughtfully considered to minimize the mistakes that likely to change the visual of the product such as the real color become dull under the lighting.

To be effective, accent lighting requires as least three times as much light on the focal point as the general lighting surrounding it.

Accent lighting is usually provided by recessed and track lighting or wall-mounted picture lights.

TASK LIGHTING

Task lighting helps you perform specific tasks, such as reading, grooming, preparing and cooking food, doing homework, working on hobbies, playing games and balancing your checkbook. It can be provided by recessed and track lighting, pendant lighting and undercabinet lighting, as well as by portable floor and desk lamps.

Task lighting should be free of distracting glare and shadows and should be bright enough to prevent eye strain.

Focusing on what activities are conducted in retail, will help the arrangement on this type of lighting function. For example, in Benefit Cosmetics retail I am proposing, one of the activity that is important, is the mirror vanity area whereas customers will be using as they testing the products. How the lighting affect the looks and exposing a great reflection, will incredibly important to entice them, making decision to buy. Another activity such as salon and spa, the lighting shall well-lit for the staff, also fresh and refreshing for customers to fully enjoy the service and space.

Based on its installation, the lighting fixtures divided into :

1. Ceiling Lighting

2. Wall lighting

3. Floor Lighting;

Each of this type has widely variety of types.

CEILING LIGHTING

The common light in interior space come from ceiling but the installation and appearance of this lighting type is unbelievable vary. Some of the examples are shown in the pictures below.

WALL LIGHTING

This is usually used by task or accent lighting. The installation of this type generally mounted bulb, or popping out fixtures.

FLOOR LIGHTING

Same goes to floor lighting, the installation are commonly mounted bulb or standing on floor lighting fixtures.

THE DESIGN OF LIGHTING

Design of the fixtures, how the installation goes, and what function each light intended to is dependently based on what kind of ambience, concept, message, and communication we want our space to interact with the customers. Every option shall maximize the value of visualization and creating engagement with still holding its identity.

The colors produced by the light shall be taken as consideration of what kind of atmosphere we need to draw.