Light and people
Light has always been a prerequisite for human existence. Inspired by daylight and the latest science, we can create lighting that makes life even better. Humans are made to be outdoors, and daylight affects the way we are – biologically and psychologically. New research has shed light on these links.
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Lighting Retail with Purpose: Reflections from the Fagerhult Team
Retail is a sector that never stands still, and lighting plays a vital role in shaping how shoppers experience a space. As lighting specialists, we work closely with designers to bring their creative visions to life, crafting immersive retail environments through carefully considered lighting solutions. Our approach is grounded in collaboration – understanding the design philosophy behind each project and ensuring that lighting enhances and supports it. We believe that the best results come when lighting is seamlessly integrated with the overall concept, materials, and atmosphere. Our retail team combines diverse experiences and perspectives, united by a shared passion for creating lighting that transforms the look and feel of a retail space. To understand what drives their work and how they approach the unique challenges of retail lighting, we spoke with three team members about their partnership with designers to shape spaces that feel cohesive, engaging, and true to the design intent. Dave Hughes, Head of Lighting Design As Head of Lighting Design, Dave’s role involves overseeing design delivery, guiding teams, and working closely with clients to ensure their spaces are not just illuminated but brought to life. Dave has vast experience working in a variety of sectors, but retail is a sector that quickly stood out for him: “I prefer working in the fast-paced nature of retail. The idea of working on a project and within weeks you see it installed – there’s a quicker gratification compared to other sectors where you wait years.” One of his recent highlights was a Next store in Thurrock, Essex, where his team collaborated with architects Gensler to reimagine the brand’s look: “We introduced more detailed LED elements, including coves and ceiling pads with squares and rectangles of light. While a few individuals from the Next team were initially hesitant about the changes being made to the store, the design looked fantastic and quickly proved its impact. It’s about moving a brand forward while staying true to its identity.” For Dave, success is measured by teamwork and outcomes: "I am driven by delivering high-quality work and take great satisfaction in seeing how our designs perform in the real world. Constructive feedback – whether positive or offering opportunities to refine our approach – is what helps us grow and develop as designers. I believe the success of any design is never the achievement of a single individual – it is the product of collaboration, learning, and shared progress. I truly enjoy being an active part of that process." Lee Thompson, Business Development Manager Lee manages a mix of client accounts and new business development. His portfolio includes household names such as Starbucks, O2, and Molton Brown. Alongside nurturing relationships, he collaborates with retail designers and fit-out companies, providing them with Fagerhult’s design expertise where their lighting knowledge may be limited. Before joining Fagerhult, Lee spent years in retail, from the shop floor to management. That experience continues to shape his approach today: “Retail gave me a strong foundation in customer service, and that’s still what drives me. I enjoy building relationships, understanding clients’ challenges, and finding ways we can add real value.” For Lee, the most rewarding aspect of the role is the impact lighting has on a retail environment: “We’re not just delivering a product – we’re helping create a feeling and an atmosphere that aligns with a brand’s identity and customer expectations. Effective lighting has the power to influence mood, guide people's movement through a space, and shape their connection with what’s on display. When it’s done well, it enhances both the environment and the overall customer experience. That responsibility is something I take pride in.” Lee’s perspective bridges the gap between customer experience and design delivery. He thrives on helping clients see what’s possible: “Sometimes clients don’t initially see what’s possible with lighting. That’s when the conversation becomes exciting – showing them how light can transform not only their products but the entire store experience.” Kayleigh Latka, Retail Commercial Director Kayleigh has been with Fagerhult for 14 years, joining the company when its retail division was still in its infancy. Her role is broad and fast-paced. She oversees the internal sales team – a group that handles everything from project coordination and quoting to stockholding and ensuring projects are delivered within tight lead times. “Retail is more fluid than other areas. Whatever the salesperson needs for a project, we make it happen. We quote, we stockhold, we coordinate – it’s very much an all-hands-on-deck approach.” For Kayleigh, the pace is what makes retail so rewarding: “I’ve always thrived under pressure. I enjoy the speed and intensity of retail – that sense of instant progress and achievement. You can work on something one week and see it live the next, which is hugely motivating.” The nature of retail projects means last-minute changes are inevitable, but she views them as an opportunity rather than a setback: “There are times when a project is 70% delivered, and a designer will request a significant change. Without moving the timeline, we need to make it work. That problem-solving element is challenging, but it’s also what keeps the role exciting.” Just as important to her as the pace is the culture of collaboration within her team: “One of the main reasons I’ve been at Fagerhult for so long is the people. We’re a very open team – hierarchy doesn’t get in the way of collaboration. Everyone has a voice, and that constant openness helps us keep improving.” Looking to the future, Kayleigh is most excited about the role of sustainability in retail: “It’s a huge topic, and more and more of our clients are pushing for it. I enjoy being part of those conversations – seeing how retailers are trying to move forward and be more sustainable in the way they design and deliver their spaces. It’s an important and exciting challenge for the industry.” Lighting Retail, Together Together, Dave, Lee, and Kayleigh highlight the unique character of retail lighting: a sector defined by pace, collaboration, and creativity. From problem-solving under pressure to shaping memorable customer experiences, the team’s shared commitment ensures that every project delivers both impact and value. It’s this combination of expertise, adaptability, and passion that continues to drive Fagerhult’s retail work forward. To discuss how Fagerhult can support your next Retail project, please get in touch.
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What Is Lighting, Really?
When we think of lighting, most of us think of one basic function: to provide enough illumination so we can see. Flip a switch, light fills a room, simple. But actually it goes far beyond illumination. It's not just about making things visible. It shapes how we feel, how we function, and how we experience a space. It supports safety, enhances comfort, influences mood, and can even boost productivity. In other words, lighting is one of the most subtle yet powerful design tools we have. More Than Meets the Eye At its core, lighting enables visibility. But have you ever walked into a room that felt instantly warm, calming, or energising, and you couldn’t quite put your finger on why? Lighting plays a massive part in this. Let’s think of a familiar scenario at home. You’re preparing for friends to come over for dinner. Bright, crisp task lighting is essential when chopping vegetables or reading the recipe. But, as the evening comes and your friends arrive, you switch to softer, warmer ambient lighting and suddenly the space becomes more inviting and relaxed. The atmosphere you can create just by changing the lighting is entirely different. Lighting as Atmosphere The psychology of light is well understood by designers, even if it’s not always noticed by the end user. In restaurants, retail spaces, hotels, and even hospitals, lighting is used to create mood and manage experience. A luxury hotel lobby often features layered lighting: soft wall sconces, warm-toned table lamps, and subtle uplighting. Together, they convey elegance, comfort, and calm. Meanwhile, a high-end retail store may use spotlighting – such as the Touch Mini G2 or Streamer Mini spotlight, designed for precise, high-impact accent lighting - to draw attention to key products, making them feel more exclusive and desirable. The Touch Mini G2 offers full adjustability, narrow or medium beams, and dimming compatibility, ideal for retail, hospitality, or gallery settings where flexibility is key. The Streamer Mini delivers a clean, glare-controlled beam with a deep-recessed design, perfect for highlighting products or creating contrast. Both combine performance with minimal visual presence, making them powerful tools for layered, detail-driven lighting design. Lighting as Safety Outside of aesthetics, lighting plays a critical role in safety. On a dark stairwell or a poorly lit street, good lighting reduces accidents and discourages crime. It provides a sense of security in public spaces and helps people move confidently through their environments, even at night. Fagerhult’s Citygrid is a smart, wireless outdoor lighting control system designed to enhance both safety and sustainability. Using passive infrared (PIR) motion sensors, it keeps areas lit at low levels when unoccupied, but automatically increases brightness when someone enters - be that on roads, bike paths, parking areas, or pedestrian zones - creating a sense of security exactly when and where it's needed. Lighting as Comfort and Function Lighting also affects our sense of comfort and our ability to perform day-to-day tasks. Poor lighting can lead to fatigue, headaches, or decreased productivity. On the other hand, well-designed lighting - balanced, glare-free, and appropriate to the space - helps reduce eye strain, supports wellbeing and performance. Let’s consider a few different environments: In offices, for instance, the right combination of natural light and artificial light helps keep focus high and screen glare low. In classrooms, dynamic lighting systems can be used to support alertness in the morning and calm in the afternoon. In healthcare, precision lighting helps clinicians perform procedures safely and accurately. A well-lit space isn't just easier to navigate, it's more comfortable to be in. And this goes deeper than most people realise. Lighting Controls In offices and commercial workspaces, traditional lighting design has often defaulted to uniform brightness across open-plan areas. But today, we know that a more nuanced, zone-based approach is far more effective. Different areas of the workplace have different requirements – think task zones, breakout areas, and collaborative spaces to name a few - and the lighting should reflect that. This concept of functional comfort recognises that lighting should support the activity, not just meet minimum standards. For example: Cooler, brighter lights in desk areas promote alertness and clarity. Warmer tones in breakout spaces encourage creativity, relaxation, and informal conversation. Adjustable lighting in meeting rooms helps adapt to different formats, from presentations to brainstorming sessions. Moreover, modern lighting systems allow you to vary light output within identical fittings, adapting to usage patterns, time of day, or occupancy levels. This not only improves the user experience, it supports sustainability goals and reduces energy bills. Fagerhult’s Organic Response delivers adaptable, scalable lighting control designed for workplaces and learning environments. The system is fully customisable to suit any lighting solution and centralises control in one intuitive platform. From the moment it's installed, it reduces energy consumption by up to 40%, with every additional configuration enhancing efficiency, lighting quality, and technical performance. Lighting as Brand and Identity Beyond function and comfort, lighting is also a branding tool. Think of a tech company headquarters with sleek linear LEDs integrated into architectural features, giving the space a cutting-edge, future-focused feel. Or a boutique law firm that opts for warm, indirect lighting in meeting rooms to create a sense of calm, confidentiality, and trust. In each case, lighting isn’t just helping people see and perform tasks, it’s helping them feel something, and remember the space and brand because of it. A Living Element of Design Ultimately, lighting is dynamic. It changes with time of day, function, and mood. It adapts to human needs and preferences, and enhances the character and purpose of a space in ways that are hard to measure, but easy to feel. So, the next time you switch on a light, take a moment to notice more than just brightness and ask yourself: What is this lighting really doing? Is it helping me focus? Making me feel at ease? Guiding my way? Because lighting is about so much more than just seeing.
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