Lighting is more than a mere accessory in design—it's the essence that breathes life into spaces, vehicles, and products. As a designer, whether focusing on interior spaces, automotive interiors, or product illumination, understanding the intricate language of light is paramount. This language—comprising terms like lumens, lux, candela, and nits—guides every decision, from creating the perfect ambiance in a room to enhancing the driving experience or optimizing the efficiency of a product.
We can start the journey to learning the light terminology by considering the light source first. When a light source emits light, it produces luminous power - which can also be called flux or luminous flux and its unit is lumen (lm).
Sometimes the light source is also described by luminous intensity, candela (Figure 1). That’s another essential term, measuring the intensity of light in a particular direction. Quite often, the light source itself has optics in front of the emitter, so it makes more sense to measure the intensity of the light to a specific direction rather than the intensity of the light emitted.
Illuminance, measured in lux, quantifies how light is distributed over a surface. It tells how the flux provided by the source is spread onto an area (lm/m2). This is vital in scenarios where a specific illuminance level needs to be met, such as reading lights, street lighting, or lighting of a volleyball field. Lux levels must be carefully designed to avoid glare or excessive brightness, ensuring both functionality and comfort.
However, while illuminance (lux) is important, it's the perception of light—luminance—that often defines the success of a design. Lux values only become visible when there is an item that reflects or transmits light to a specific angle. We need to have that newspaper or street surface, where illuminance becomes luminance. Luminance (cd/m²), describes how much luminous power is emitted per solid angle on a specific area. Sometimes the unit for luminance is called Nits and it is exactly the same as cd/m2.
How does all of this relate to product illumination design? The main goal is to transfer as much of LED flux out of the product as possible. This is a place where the IMSE® LightChannels technology excels. It can reach a 15-20 % efficiency, which is even eight times higher than the efficiency of parts manufactured using conventional technology, because light source can be placed close to illuminated item, and we can utilize high reflective materials along the light path.
In practice, this means the input power for the LED can be reduced by 88%, thus reaching a remarkable saving in power consumption, while also reducing the thermal load. In the long run, the lower input power needed by designs utilizing IMSE technology also enables changing to low-power LEDs and lighter control electronics.
Current market trends forecast that the number of LEDs in automotive applications, for instance, is increasing explosively, making it even more important to consume as little energy as possible to run the LEDs. Efficient illumination systems don’t just reduce power consumption and thermal load, but also enhance the overall design, making the parts lighter and more sustainable. IMSE® LightChannels has all this covered. It’s a technology platform that can be utilized across a variety of applications requiring dense, clear light-based HMIs. Closely-spaced illuminated icons, text and emblems, light lines and illuminated surfaces are examples of applications where the technology excels.
As technology evolves, so too does the role of lighting in design. The future holds exciting possibilities, particularly in sectors like automotive design, where the rise of autonomous vehicles may see lighting transition from a passive element to a dynamic, interactive feature. In many market segments, the push towards sustainability is driving innovations in light efficiency, with designers increasingly focusing on creating spaces and products that are both beautiful and energy-efficient.
Each project presents an opportunity to reshape our understanding of light, transforming spaces, vehicles, and products into experiences that engage all the senses. By mastering the world of light, designers are not just shaping how things look—they are crafting how they feel and function, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for those who interact with their creations.
In every field, from smart homes to automotive design, the principles of light remain a constant guide, enabling designers to illuminate the world in ways that are as innovative as they are impactful.
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