Light from above — perception of the earliest humans

The eye sees, the human being perceives

Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, we in our modern world have increasingly lived and worked for longer periods and more intensively under artificial light.

Our daily routine no longer depends on sunlight – when in doubt, we simply switch on a light. However, this is not without consequences for our perception: studies in occupational medicine, along with the many years of experience gathered by lighting designers across all fields of architecture, show that artificial light influences our perception and can even alter it over the long term.

Light from above

0% of the course done!

You've learned everything about light from above!

The most important points

1Plan light preferably from above—this matches our evolutionarily rooted perception and makes forms appear correct and natural right away.
2Remember that artificial light shapes our perception over the long term—which is why good lighting design takes familiar visual patterns into account, not just the first impression.
3Check your lighting scene from several angles, because just a different shadow position can suddenly make a recess look like a raised surface.

Light from above — perception of the earliest humans

The difference between seeing and perceiving

Change the brightness of the room

The eye sees, the human being perceives

Light perception

We do not see what we see, but rather we see what we are.

Light from above

Light from above

You've learned everything about light from above!

The most important points

You might also be interested in

Diffused light