Proper lighting on work efficiency
Creating an optimal office environment is crucial for enhancing user experience and productivity. Among the various factors that contribute to this, the impact of lighting on personnel efficiency and concentration stands out as particularly significant. While it’s relatively easy to identify and address disruptive noise in office settings, the influence of incorrect lighting on concentration is often overlooked.
Lighting, being a pivotal environmental factor, plays a crucial role in determining the concentration levels of individuals. Suboptimal lighting can lead to double eye fatigue and subsequent headaches, negatively affecting people’s well-being by the end of the day. Scientific studies highlight a 4.5% improvement in productivity associated with proper lighting, attributed to enhanced visual performance, biological effects, and psychological factors.
In the upcoming discussion, we will explore some simple yet impactful tips to enhance concentration, efficiency, and address the challenges associated with lighting in office environments.
Effective lighting parameters
The configuration of lights in an office environment significantly influences both the workspace and overall output. Factors such as the arrangement of lights, the distance of the light source from the work surface, light color, intensity, and radiation angle all play crucial roles in determining the effectiveness of the lighting system.
Lighting techniques
When it comes to lighting techniques in office spaces, employing a combination of all three types is considered optimal. General lighting is well-suited for areas like corridors and common spaces, providing overall illumination. Local lighting, tailored for specific tables and work surfaces, serves a purposeful function. This technique proves invaluable, allowing individual work areas to be precisely illuminated. Lastly, accent lighting is employed for special events, emphasizing features like signs and logos.
By strategically combining these lighting techniques, an office can create an environment that optimizes visibility, functionality, and aesthetics, contributing to enhanced productivity and a positive workspace experience.
The position of the light
Strategic placement of lighting fixtures in office settings is a fundamental principle that greatly influences the overall work environment. Depending on the nature of the workspace and the tasks performed, the installation and positioning of lights vary. Given the ubiquitous presence of computers as integral office tools and the substantial time users spend with these devices, it becomes crucial to position the light source above the head and to the side, aligning with the user’s perspective.
Placing the light source in front of the user can lead to glare issues. More importantly, the optimal placement is determined by the user’s dominant hand rather than whether they are right-handed or left-handed. For right-handed individuals, the lamp should be positioned on the left side, and conversely, for left-handed individuals, it should be on the opposite side. This consideration becomes particularly pertinent when individuals engage in writing activities.
Moreover, it’s essential to ensure that the installation of lighting devices is done in a manner that prevents their reflections from appearing on LCD screens, safeguarding against potential distractions and ensuring an uninterrupted workflow.
Proper installation distance from the work surface
The determination of the ideal installation distance for lighting is not bound by a fixed numerical value. This is due to the variability in factors such as the type of lamp employed, the luminous flux it generates, and the precision required for the specific task at hand. The suggested range, taking into account these variables, typically falls between 50 and 120 cm from the work surface. This flexible approach ensures that the lighting setup is tailored to the unique characteristics of the workspace, accommodating different types of lamps and tasks while maintaining optimal illumination conditions.
 The distance of installing the lights from each other
One way to maintain focus is to avoid lighting styles that create strong highlights. Uniformity of light in work environments creates a more focused atmosphere. One of the most important factors in creating this uniformity is the diffusion angle of the light source. Based on this issue, the type of light, the distance of installing the lights from each other and also the height of their installation are very influential. For example, the COB family has a stronger light emission, so they are used for high ceilings, on the other hand, these lights have a narrower distribution angle than SMDs, so they should be installed at a smaller distance from each other. A general formula for the distance between the lights is suggested, which is half the height of the available space. But in general and because various parameters are effective in this case, there is no single number for it. Related post: What are COB LED strips?
Color of light
When choosing lighting characteristics, opting for cool white light within the range of 5000-7000 Kelvin is recommended to enhance visual comfort, clarity, and contrast. It’s worth noting that this color temperature not only reduces fatigue but also helps prevent drowsiness. Read: What is kelvin?
Brightness is a crucial parameter that should be tailored to the precision level required for the task at hand. For areas where computer work dominates or in spaces like conference rooms, a suggested value of 500 lux per square meter is appropriate. However, for activities such as drawing and high-precision work, a higher intensity of around 1000 lux and beyond becomes necessary to ensure optimal visibility and performance. Adjusting these parameters thoughtfully contributes to an environment that promotes both efficiency and well-being.
Type of lamp
The selection of lights and lighting technology is a pivotal aspect in the illumination process. Historically, fluorescent lights were predominant, but the contemporary preference leans towards the latest generation of lights—specifically LEDs and their various iterations. These cutting-edge products offer versatility in selection, catering to factors such as spatial dimensions, the designer’s aesthetic preferences, and the overall design style of the space. Various forms, including linear, panel, rail, built-in, facing, or hanging lights, can be chosen individually or combined based on the desired effect.
It’s important to emphasize that factors beyond the choice of lights can significantly impact concentration in office spaces and influence the visual aspects of these parameters. Considerations such as the observer’s age, duration of vision, material properties of objects, reflection levels, color appearance index, and the interplay between direct and indirect light, as well as aesthetics, all play crucial roles in the nuanced lighting process within office complexes. A thoughtful approach to these elements contributes to an environment that not only optimizes functionality but also enhances the overall visual appeal.
Chique Lighting . Burnaby