By Emily Lai, LC In the world of commercial building design and construction, lighting controls often occupy a gray area of understanding. They are highly technical systems that promise energy efficiency, enhanced user experiences, and compliance with stringent building codes. Yet, despite their benefits, lighting controls can be one of the most challenging aspects to…
By Andrew Boerschig, Guarantee Electrical Company – Facility Solutions Project Manager As an electrical contractor working in the lighting industry, Guarantee Electrical’s work tends to focus primarily on function over form (versus the latter) on a regular basis for our clients. However, we are able to provide additional capabilities that most of the market is…
Lighting is one of the most critical aspects of creating a successful sports facility, whether it’s a brand-new installation or a retrofit project. Proper lighting enhances the experience for players and spectators, promotes safety, and provides consistent, high-quality visibility. As facilities increasingly focus on upgrading to efficient LED lighting, there are important considerations to keep…
When Dani Luna-Fuller joined US Lighting Trends’ staff as a contributor her first article was titled “Horticulture Lighting – It isn’t all Cannabis!” Since then, she has authored a number of articles explaining the role lighting play in supporting horticulture. But yes, cannabis is a part of horticulture. More importantly, it is possible to learn…
By Dr. Matt Zakreski I’m a full-time professional speaker and clinical psychologist who specializes in working with gifted and neurodivergent people — such as those with ADHD, Dyslexia, OCD, Autism, and gifted, etc. There’s a common misconception that neurodivergent folks are a tiny minority in society, but there are a lot more of them than…
By Linda Longo It used to be that the “success” of a trade show was measured in body count: how many people filled the halls, atriums, and showrooms. That metric has changed over the years — away from how many orders were placed on-site and more toward how many qualified buyers attended and expressed interest….
By Robert Lanteigne Your residential clients want to enjoy a beautiful view from their windows at night, but their landscaping is pretty minimal. Fortunately, your lighting skills can make the most out of their property with softly lit trees, a shimmering pathway, and cozy outdoor spaces that extend their living area beyond the walls of…
As we continue our exploration of the lighting industry’s future, we delve into Part II of David Shiller’s insightful white paper, 25 Lighting Industry Trends for 2025, which is available via download in its entirety. Here, we unveil the remaining 12 projections that are set to shape the lighting landscape in the coming years. 14….
© Richard D. Falconer, LC, IALD In today’s business world, videoconferencing has become the norm to bring people together in the office and in remote locations. The primary advantages are productivity, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. Lighting design plays a pivotal role in creating an optimal environment that addresses technical AV requirements for video camera capture while…
While private equity has been steadily absorbing major players in the residential lighting industry, it typically does so quietly with no corporate name changes. However, last week Kingswood Capital – which acquired Progress Lighting and more recently Kichler – announced a new parent company name to encompass the Kichler and Progress organization: Coleto Brands. …
The lighting industry is an exciting business to be in, but unless your company has one or two generations of families involved, it might as well be a secret to the outside (non-lighting) world. Quorum International’s Director of Design David Patton wants to change that. For the past 10 years, he has guest lectured at…
By Linda Longo Every year, the major paint companies select what they determine to be the “Color of the Year” — and for the most part, such announcements don’t translate into lighting sales as these colors are typically found on walls, home accessories, and apparel. Pantone – the company with the most consumer recognition and…
By Dañiel Luna-Fuller Ultraviolet (UV) lighting can be helpful in some situations (i.e. disinfection applications) yet detrimental to those with certain medical conditions like lupus. As someone living with lupus, I have firsthand experience with the challenges that come from photosensitivity — a sensitivity to UV light from both natural sunlight and artificial sources. For…
Renowned lighting enthusiast and author “Lightbob” (aka Robert Lanteigne) invites listeners on a luminous journey with his new podcast, The Non-Technical Language of Light. This captivating series, available now on Podcastle, shines a light on the art and science of illumination, offering an approachable guide to understanding the role of lighting in everyday spaces. Drawing…
By Robert Lanteigne Your client spent a fortune last summer on a luxurious outdoor kitchen and adjacent living space plus landscaping and they are ready now to invest in highlighting that investment with a strategic lighting design. Where to start? Ask your clients to hone in on what they want to see in their yard…
By Emily Lai, LC Construction projects are a lot like hosting a giant dinner party: you need a clear recipe, the right ingredients, and a team of chefs who actually talk to each other. The stars of the show include the architect, electrical engineer, lighting controls sales rep, distributor, and electrical contractor. Each has a…