When More Really Is More

How User Intuition Can Make or Break New Lighting Control Technologies

By Paul Rudalavage, Synergy Electrical Sales

If you have worked in the lighting industry over the past ten years, you have likely experienced the dizzying influx of “more.” More lumens per watt, higher CRI, more color temperatures, more part numbers, more spec sheet pages, more lead times. Lighting controls have also faced the flood of more features. More energy codes, more load types, more money, more coordination meetings, more IT discussions, more zoning schedules, and often more frustration. We keep adding more features – but how can we make sure that those features are benefitting the end user rather than frustrating them?

This March, Market Research Future projected that smart indoor lighting technology will grow 21.4% between now and 2030, noting significant benefits over conventional lighting such as "long life span and easy customization" as key growth drivers.(1) However, factors such as "high installation costs and lack of skilled experts" are cited as major barriers to the growth of smart lighting controls, despite other benefits.

When asked about the focus of lighting design, Shoshanna Segal of Hartranft Lighting Design said, “It’s centered where it always has been – on the human experience.”(2) The obvious answer to “why more?” is that these new technologies improve the human experience, including enhanced control and flexibility for lighting systems that allow designers to create more innovative, dynamic, and human-centric environments.

The most advanced systems can also offer seamless integration with building automation systems, creating more efficient and cost-effective lighting solutions. Another advantage of “more” is that it opens the door for new people to work in this historically intimate industry.

The Importance of Thoughtful Implementation

At Synergy, we collaborate with design and construction professionals on many levels – from initial design concepts, to programming, to post-occupancy support. We know firsthand that more features and technology can often lead to an end user feeling frustrated instead of delighted. Segal commented on this, saying, “I think any new technology, if thoughtfully implemented, can augment rather than detract from user intuition, but the converse is also true; no matter how spiffy the tech, if it's not thought through, it won't help the end user.”(2)

There will always be resistance to new things and new technologies, especially if users’ experiences are negatively impacted by the technology in question. Despite these challenges, new lighting control technologies offer tremendous potential for the lighting industry. By providing greater control and flexibility, these technologies can help lighting designers create innovative and dynamic lighting solutions that enhance the overall aesthetic of a space. "I want to embrace new and exciting technologies for my applications and clients, but I proceed with caution because user intuition must prevail for the project," says David Seok, a senior lighting designer for The Lighting Practice.(3) At Synergy, we strive to thoughtfully implement new control technologies without overcomplicating the end user experience. Our efforts are strengthened by our network of manufacturers and partners who are equally invested in human-centric technology.

The End User and the Future of the Industry

As technology continues to evolve, it’s more important than ever to prioritize the human experience and ensure that new technologies are accessible and intuitive for everyone. The Interaction Design Foundation says, “When a user is able to understand and use a design immediately—that is, without consciously thinking about how to do it—we describe the design as ‘intuitive.’”(4) Certain manufacturers are taking significant steps to make their commercial controls interfaces as intuitive as possible for their intended user. For example, Lutron worked closely with lighting designers to build the Designer app and end-user touchscreen for their commercial controls system, Athena. They interviewed members of the design community to establish a usable interface for tweaking scenes and optimizing lighting on-site during construction administration (CA). As elements of hospitality design continue to influence corporate environments, the growing significance of CA has become clear. David Seok notes that corporate work has increasingly focused on flexibility in recent years. Personal control of features like intensity and color is one way that advancements in lighting control are helping provide end users with more flexibility(3) – and systems like Athena are making that flexibility and ease of use possible for the designer and the end-user.

The Lighting Designer App for Lutron’s Athena solution lets you program a space in real time.

Manufacturers like Lutron who design residential and commercial control systems have the unique advantage of learning from their customers (for whom user experience and an intuitive interface is a top priority). By applying lessons learned, a clever manufacturer can use residential customer feedback to refine the user experience and transform commercial systems. This translates to more accessible tools and software that users and designers can more easily utilize to personalize their spaces. They no longer have to entirely rely on factory technicians and programmers for commissioning and refining a system.

New controls technology has created a need for professionals to implement and maintain these systems. For example, the technology can add value to designers’ services, increasing scope which translates to income. It’s also an opportunity for an entrepreneurial mind to create a new service and new job openings, which ultimately drives economic growth and innovation. Finally, programming a basic lighting control system (which only takes a few days to learn) offers a unique opportunity for new people to enter the industry and have an immediate and positive effect on the construction of a new building. This paves new inroads to the design and construction industries.

New intelligent lighting technology offers tremendous potential for the lighting industry, but only if implemented thoughtfully with the end user in mind. Lighting controls have historically been a challenging product category to navigate, but recent advancements in software have made them more user-friendly than ever before. With improved interfaces and simpler installation processes, designers and contractors can now easily incorporate lighting control software into their projects. This user-friendly approach not only streamlines the process but can also lead to more innovative and efficient lighting solutions, as well as more job opportunities within the construction industry. ■

References

1. Market Research Future. 2022. “Smart Indoor Lighting Market To Grow USD 38,976.2 Million at a CAGR of 21.7% by 2030 - Report by Market Research Future (MRFR).” Yahoo Finance, March 14, 2023. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/smart-indoor-lighting-market-grow-072400955.html?

2. Shoshanna Segal (lighting designer) in discussion with Matthew Dacey, March 2023.

3. David Seok (lighting designer) in discussion with Hagen Denton, March 2023.

4. “What Is Intuitive Design?” The Interaction Design Foundation, accessed March 23, 2023, https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/topics/intuitive-design.