Learn all about DALI Lighting Control and how to integrate it into your lighting scheme.

The team has looked into their crystal ball to see what trends will be important for lighting design in 2020. The correct layout and products used are important for lighting design, ensuring that the products specified do the job required, whilst also standing the test of time is vital. We’re taking a look at some key trends for year ahead that will ensure that your next project will be perfectly on-trend.

Gone are the days of dreary, flickering fluorescent panels and strip lights. Gym lighting has become an art within itself. Lighting design for Gym Environments is getting increasingly more creative through the use of colour and shape. We have worked with the likes of JD Gyms for a few years, along with retail, the gym environment has also evolved into an experience that inspires.

JD Gyms

Gym lighting should be there to enhance your surroundings and your workout, and the lighting at JD Gyms does just that. Through the use of suspended triangles, arrows, or vibrant linear to enhance specific areas of the gyms.

For the Spin room at JD Gym Thornton Cleveleys, we developed a central hub system created bespoke for the spin room, making installation and management of the Klus Extrusion a breeze.  The colour and design of the LED Extrusion transform what would be a simple studio, into something that looks futuristic, an environment that enhances the focus of the athlete.

Orange Theory

Bright coloured lighting such as yellows and oranges are known to energise, Orange Theory gyms have based their whole gym concept around this. The science is that gym-goers can expect to burn extra calories up to 24 hours following a fitness class, due to the orange light helping your body to get into the optimal condition for additional calorie burn. We have worked with Orange Theory on their latest opening in Derby, an exciting challenge when working with only orange light.

Inspired? Here are some of our current favourites.

Gymshark Lifting Club

Designed to be the “best in Europe”, the Gymshark Lifting Club is studio and fitness centre created purely for employee wellbeing and innovation. The gym follows the ultra-modern dark and moody feel throughout, aiding focus and motivation.

Gym Box, London

Thought of as “the antidote to boring gyms, and injecting a sense of excitement to gym-going.” The design and concept reflect the experience of a Night Out, the idea being the gym go-ers find mental stimulation through the exciting gym design and music.

An often-overlooked element of retail lighting, however, key for customer experience. Changing room lighting is arguably one of the most important elements of retail lighting. If the lighting is harsh and unflattering, ultimately, the customer won’t be purchasing any clothes. In fact, as many as 40% of customers will abandon a purchase because of an unsatisfactory dressing room experience.

A high CRI, with a hint of warmth

A little like Goldilocks’ porridge, ensuring the colour temperature is not too warm, not too cool, but just right, so that the dressing room is neither clinical nor akin to lighting in your home.

Look at the interior

Lighting isn’t the be-all, and end-all to the dressing room experience, ensuring that the physical environment is inviting also plays an important role. A design that reflects your brand whilst also being neutral enough to not distract away from the outfit, the same applies to the lighting.

Consider mirror surrounds

Surrounding the mirror in the changing room with high CRI light will eradicate unflattering shadows, and also offer soft light that makes the customer look their best. In fact, our mirror surrounds for River Island were rated 9/10 for “flatter-factor”. 

Improve shopper’s experience

In a climate where retail is struggling, it is important to not overlook the importance of the fitting room experience. The fitting room is where most purchasing decisions are made, so ensuring that it is optimised for the customer is a core element to retail design.

For help to achieve the right changing room atmosphere for your retail space,

get in touch with our lighting experts.

As always, the team at Prolight strive to be at the forefront of new technologies within the Lighting Industry.  As such, the team has been working with Osram UK testing out their new Bluetooth mesh Dali lighting control, a new technology that it is anticipated will revolutionise the way lighting is controlled within a space.

Sophie sat down with our Design Manager, Sam Weller, to find out more about the technology and to understand its capabilities.

What is Bluetooth Mesh Lighting Control and how does it work?

Bluetooth mesh Dali technology works slightly differently to the Bluetooth found on mobile phones, it can be used to create smart buildings, where hundreds of devices such as lights, switches, and sensors can all communicate independently with each other. 

Bluetooth mesh Dali technology allows for each fitting within a set, to communicate with every other item in the set. This is beneficial if one item in the grid fails the integrity of the grid is maintained.

How is it used and what are its uses?

The system is managed and controlled through a phone-based app, where you can upload lighting layouts directly, allowing you to group luminaires together depending on their application. Controlling lighting through the app gives the end-user greater flexibility and removes the necessity for wall-mounted control panels and external programming.

The system is suitable for a multitude of projects ranging from large-scale projects such as a University Campus to single room applications. For larger more complex projects, the system works in tandem with off the shelf sensors to create flexible, efficient managed spaces. Alternatively, for smaller domestic uses the system can be used for simple dimming and colour change applications.

Where does it sit alongside other lighting control systems such as DALI?

This system differs from the popular conventional DALI technology, where fittings that require DALI must be physically connected to the DALI Driver. Bluetooth Mesh (Dali) can have Bluetooth sensors on every fitting or device. Thus, saving on installation costs and making the system much more appealing as a retrofit solution. Traditionally Dali has needed an expert in the field to programme the system, whereas this should be more user-friendly reducing costs.

Have you tested the technology yourself yet?

Prolight is working in collaboration with River Island and Osram UK currently with a view to trial the system at River Island’s London based Head Office, a space that features over 150 LED high bays within one open-plan office. We plan to use Osram Drivers & Bluetooth Sensors paired with Secur LED high bay pendants, giving the guys at RI total control, perfect for their diverse open plan office environment.

And finally, what are your thoughts on the technology?  Have you hit any snags when testing it out? 

As exciting as the new technology is it also comes with its own set of challenges.  Because this system is so new, information is sparse and there is a lot of testing required. Fortunately, working with such a great partner as River Island, they understand this and have been extremely patient.

I should be able to update you more on completion, watch this space!

Introducing the Spore Raw.

Developed and manufactured by Prolight Design, the Spore Raw is a real step towards sustainability within the Lighting Industry. Boasting 50% reduction in materials and contains 50% recycled aluminium, it has all of the specifications of a high-performance spotlight whilst being a sustainable product. As paints are typically unfriendly to the environment, the Spore Raw is shot blasted to create the matte effect to the aluminium. It is being debuted at a Lush store in Germany, a brand renowned for being a trailblazer for sustainability within the retail space.

The Spore Raw boasts:

• 97 CRI

• 78 Lumen/Watt

• Anti-glare

• 50% reduction in materials used

• >60% recycled aluminium

• No paint used, PPC finish

• Interchangeable lenses

• Driver fitted within the track adapter

The Spore is also available in a Black or White finish, there is a sustainable luminaire for every application.

Get in touch to learn more or if you’d like to use a variant of this product in your next project.

We’re looking at the year ahead and looking into our crystal ball to see what themes will be important in lighting for 2019. Lighting design can completely make or break a space, choosing quality lighting that will stand the test of time and be both functional and aesthetically pleasing is important. We’re taking a look at some key trends for 2019 that will ensure that retail, commercial or residential space you are designing lighting for will be perfectly on-trend.

LED Linear

LED Linear lighting lends itself to a multitude of designs and finishes, be it circular, triangles or long lines. They can be utilised as a central feature of a space or seamlessly blending into a wall, ceiling or floor. They are a fantastic choice if you are looking for something a little different and that will be sure to make a retail or commercial stand out from the rest.

Industrial Pendants

Metallics are a big trend for 2019 in interior design, an easy way to tap into this is through metallic pendants. A quick addition for updating a space, or a finishing touch to a site refurbishment. Brushed copper or pewter industrial pendants are an ideal choice for adding a sense of sophistication easily. They add an edge when suspended above a cash desk or reception, looking as if you’ve hunted them down in an antique store!

Sustainability

The use of LED lighting in lighting applications is ever increasing as it enables retailers to dramatically reduce their energy usage and costs. There will be a considerable focus this year on developing cost-saving options for businesses and consumers alike.

Anyone can do it you just need to know how.

The art of lighting a space is far more important than anyone will first realise. It will be the difference between your room looking disjointed or exceptional.

Ever entered a room and realised how incredibly well they’ve diffused the light? Well, we hope not and for good reason.  When lighting, it’s impeccable you hardly notice it. “Light should not interpret architecture; it must transform it!” Edward P. Bartholomew

Like most things, when designing a room you should always carefully consider bulbs and fixtures to create inviting environments that encourage people to want to stick around. Same applies to retail spaces. One of our clients Hollister did this well. They created a space where people wanted to stick around in their stores.

One of the biggest mistakes for retail and home is overly bright lighting. Leave that to lighting hospital emergency rooms. Anyway, this is how you could make sure you get it right.

Consider the function of the room. 

We feel this is a given but people forget before you do anything at all. What will the space be used for?  Cooking? Watching television? World domination? It’s not the same environment so why would you expect the same lighting?

Close isn’t close enough.

When it comes to the style and colouring of your light fixture it is more than important that its character adds to the room and doesn’t take away from it. Just because its close or similar to something doesn’t mean it will be right.

Lighting that is slightly out, makes a room completely disjointed.

Localize your light source.

Most believe when it comes to lighting that you need to completely light a room.  What about approaching it differently? Try to incorporate multiple points of light. Create layers and enhance certain aspects of architecture. The right lampshade can make all the difference. bring your low-wattage bulb to the store to try it with different shades and test the coverage.

Definitely add a dimmer.

For multipurpose rooms, dimmers are essential. provides versatility and flexibility depending on the time of day, event, or mood, and they just happen to be a great energy saver. Consider it a worthwhile investment, as dimmers reduce energy consumption and increase bulb life. Aesthetically, it’s non-negotiable. Every overhead light should be wired for a dimmer. “If you only have one light source in the centre of the room, you’re looking at your shadow all day long,” says Adelman. “It makes for a depressing base.”

Know your bulbs. 

Compact fluorescent light bulbs are a great option. However, you need to be careful disposing of them. In terms of reducing your energy consumption, it’s best if you use lighting that lasts longer with better efficiency. Screw-in LEDs have a long life, but can be pricey. Here’s a great bit of info from Which? If you need it.

Learn more here