Where did the idea of Human Centered Design come from?
Optimal lighting in the workplace or at rest
HCL and legal issues

Lighting and Human-Centered Design

Today's system of work is task-oriented. Modern lighting and the space in which we perform our professional duties should respond to our needs and motivate us to act.

Employees' expectations change - there are times when the need is full of focus and an injection of energy, but often peace or inspiration is also necessary.

The idea of Human-Centered Design is just reaching out to the users according to the principle that the interiors are to adapt to people, not the other way around.

The key factor here is office lighting, the color, intensity, and quantity of which should be consistent with the properties of natural light being the optimal lighting for human eyesight.

Where did the idea of Human Centered Design come from?

The Human Centered Design concept puts people in the center , their needs, expectations, possibilities, fears and limitations.
The creator of the theory is Donald Norman, who in the 1980s conceptualized a process that returns the end result of a project to the user, which is to serve him without any problems.

Human Centered Design resulted in the Human Centric Lighting (HCL) project, initiated in 2013-2016 by the European Commission, with the aim of broadening the knowledge in the field of modern lighting and supporting practices emphasizing technology development in this area. The findings of these activities define the impact that office lighting has on the well-being and productivity of employees . The existing standards only regulated the level of light intensity, glare or color rendering - they in no way directly referred to the comfort of work of employees, only indirectly spoke about the impact of poor lighting parameters on health.

The main recommendation of the project is that office lighting is optimized for the circadian rhythm . Daylight regulates our biological clock, stimulates our activity or makes us rest. This is because it moves receptors on the retina of the eye that signal to our body at time of day. As the sun moves, also change the color temperature of the light, its angle of incidence, intensity and quantity .

Optimal lighting in the workplace or at rest

Today, we spend a large part of our time indoors, with limited access to natural light. Optimal modern architectural- lighting and office lighting ensuring comfortable working and rest conditions should be as close to daylight as possible, and therefore changeable. Today's technology allows us to adapt the lighting concept to the moment and create fluid lighting conditions.

HCL is to ensure not only the intensity appropriately matched to the current function of the room or the tasks performed by the employee, but also to regulate the color temperature, which is to stimulate the blue light beam, and at night by reducing it, relax. The system can prove helpful in supporting people working in three shifts or frequently changing time zones.

HCL and legal issues

Research on HCL showed that people using the system felt that: work 18% more efficiently, and are full of energy (71% of respondents), happier (78%) and healthier (78%).

The employers themselves benefit from:

on increasing productivity
fewer bugs
or accidents at work
and most importantly, improving the well-being and comfort of employees.

An obstacle to the introduction of HCL is the lack of legal standards that would regulate the implementation of the system in offices, workplaces or warehouses, and the lack of common knowledge about the benefits of its use. Lighting Europe has set itself the goal of getting regulators to take into account Human Centric Lighting by 2025.

Lena Lighting for the sake of its employees

The idea of Human-Centered Design also guided the design of new offices arranged by the recognized lighting manufacturer Lena Lighting. The needs of employees related to the comfort of work were the most important criterion in interior design. Behind the improvement of well-being and the creative atmosphere is subdued colors, unique design, natural vegetation and, of course, the best quality lighting.

FAQ

What is Human Centered Design (HCD)?

Human Centered Design is a design approach that puts people and their needs at the centre of the process. According to this concept, spaces and products should adapt to people, not the other way around. The originator of this theory is Donald Norman, who in the 1980s developed a design process that focuses on the end user.

What is Human Centric Lighting (HCL)?

Human Centric Lighting is a lighting concept that originated from Human Centreed Design. It is a lighting system adapted to the human diurnal rhythm, imitating natural daylight. HCL changes the light parameters (luminous intensity, colour temperature) during the day, thus supporting our biological clock.

What are the benefits of Human Centric Lighting in the workplace?

Studies have shown that HCL in the workplace has numerous benefits, such as:
* An increase in employee productivity of approximately 18%.
* Improved wellbeing and energy levels (71% of those surveyed).
* A greater sense of happiness (78% of those surveyed).
* Better health (78% of those surveyed)
* Reduction in errors and accidents at work
* Overall improvement in employee comfort

Why is traditional office lighting not optimal?

Traditional office lighting only takes into account basic technical parameters such as luminous intensity, glare and colour rendering. It does not take into account the human diurnal rhythm or the variability of natural sunlight, which regulates our biological clock. In addition, traditional standards do not directly address comfort at work.

How does lighting according to the HCL concept work?

HCL lighting adapts to the natural rhythm of the day by changing the light parameters:
* In the morning and midday - higher colour temperature with more blue light, which stimulates and increases concentration.
* In the evening - a lower colour temperature with less blue light, which promotes relaxation and prepares the body for rest.
The system can be programmed to adapt to specific tasks, room functions or individual employee needs.

Are there regulations governing the implementation of HCL in workplaces?

Currently, there are no legal standards that directly regulate the implementation of HCL systems in offices, workplaces or warehouses. Lighting Europe has set a goal to influence the relevant regulating bodies to include Human Centric Lighting in workplace regulations by 2025.

Does Human Centric Lighting work in every type of office space?

HCL can be implemented in different types of office spaces, from open-plan open spaces to small offices. It is particularly beneficial in spaces with limited access to natural light. The system can be tailored to the specifics of the space and the type of tasks performed there.

What are the costs of implementing an HCL system compared to traditional lighting?

The initial costs of implementing an HCL system are usually higher than for traditional lighting. However, the long-term benefits, such as increased productivity, reduced employee absenteeism and energy savings, can make up the difference. It is worth considering as an investment in employee wellbeing and business efficiency.

For whom is HCL-compliant lighting particularly recommended?

HCL lighting is particularly recommended for people who work in shift work, travel frequently between time zones, work in rooms without windows or with limited access to natural light. However, the benefits of this type of lighting can be felt by all employees, regardless of the nature of their work.

How does Lena Lighting implement the HCD and HCL concept?

Lena Lighting not only manufactures lighting systems in line with the HCL concept, but also implements these solutions in its own offices. When designing new spaces, the company is guided by the principles of Human-Centered Design, making employee comfort a priority. This includes not only appropriate lighting, but also muted colours, ergonomic design, natural vegetation and general attention to an atmosphere conducive to creativity and well-being.

Lighting and Human-Centered Design

The idea of Human-Centered Design is just reaching out to the users according to the principle that the interiors are to adapt to people, not the other way around.

Where did the idea of Human Centered Design come from?

Optimal lighting in the workplace or at rest

HCL and legal issues

Lena Lighting for the sake of its employees

FAQ

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