Ambient lighting, accent lighting, scenic lighting: These are the principles of qualitative lighting design. In the 1950s, lighting designer Richard Kelly extracted ideas from perception psychology and theatrical lighting and combined them into a uniform concept for lighting design, thereby distinguishing the qualities of light into three basic functions: ambient luminescence (ambient lighting), focal glow (accent lighting) and play of brilliants (scenic lighting).

Ambient luminescence

Focal glow

Play of brilliants

Experience shows that lighting concepts are considered to be pleasing and successful when all three components - ambient lighting, accent lighting and scenic lighting - are present in a well-balanced relationship. The language of light is a reliable approach used to analyse lighting situations, structure lighting concepts and select lighting tools.

Ambient luminescence
refers to uniform general lighting. This type of lighting, e.g. through downlights or through uniform vertical illuminance, enables users and observers to find their bearings and provides them with a feeling of safety.

Richard Kelly (1910-1977)
The American Richard Kelly was a pioneer of qualitative lighting design who borrowed existing ideas from perception psychology and theatrical lighting and combined them into a uniform concept.

More on Richard Kelly
Richard Kelly

Focal glow
This typifies accent lighting used to emphasise objects, areas and specific zones in a space and to create hierarchies of perception. It is a primary consideration in the scenographic illumination of architectural indoor and outdoor areas which are intended to attract attention.

Ambient luminescence +
Focal glow

Play of brilliants
This is the decorative light, the light that attracts attention; it is light as an aesthetic end in itself: light effects such as dynamic colour progressions or light patterns with Gobo projections, but also decorative luminaires, objects of light art or neon signs.

Ambient luminescence +
Focal glow +
Play of brilliants

Ambient luminescence: Lighting tools

Focal glow: Lighting tools

Play of brilliants: Lighting tools

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