The document provides a task sheet for a lighting designer trainee. It instructs them to research lighting design techniques for three performing arts genres and explore the use of color and effects. It describes learning outcomes including understanding key lighting practices and conventions. It provides examples of lighting analyses for four retail stores. The analyses describe the lights used, the moods created through color psychology and atmospherics, and how the lighting may influence shopping behaviors.

1. Task Sheet
As a lighting designer, research at least three genres, in terms of design differences and explore the
use of colour and effects.
This aim of this task is to enable you to develop lighting design techniques for a variety of genres of
the performing arts. Ideas and designs / specials seen today can be adapted and used within your
future designs.
Learning outcome 1 requires you to understand lighting design practices,
showing conventions for types of lighting design.
“At distinction level, you will describe in detail a range of designs, looking at different techniques used
to create effects, to set mood and atmosphere and show clear understanding of key light, backlight,
top, front and side light and where and when they could be used, and potential colours for a range of
effects, and lantern positions. Colour and effects should be justified as to how and where it should be
used.”
1. Identify at least five examples of where lighting is used to enhance the overall aesthetics of the
product.
2. Name the lights used to achieve the overall appearance / atmostphere
3. Discuss the mood and atmosphere created (including the use of colour / semiotics)
4. Discuss specials & effects (e.g. lamp shades, lights on flex etc)
Assessment and grading criteria
To achieve a pass grade the
evidence must show that the
learner is able to:
To achieve a merit grade the
evidence must show that, in
addition to the pass criteria,
the learner is able to:
To achieve a distinction grade
the evidence must show that, in
addition to the pass and merit
criteria, the learner is able to:
P1 outline alternative
approaches and
techniques used in
lighting design [IE]
M1 describe the main
alternative approaches
and techniques used in
lighting design
D1 explain the alternative
approaches and a wide
range of techniques used
in lighting design
Genre One
Lighting for Shops &
Displays
Genre Two
Art (Gallery)
Genre Three
Circus

2. Example One
STORE: Boux Avenue
LIGHTS USED TO CREATE OVERAL APPEARANCE AND ATMOSPHERE:
Ceiling lights with Shades
LED Ceiling Lights:
DISCUSS THE MOOD AND ATMOPHERE CREATED:
The ceiling lights had shades on them that were made from glossy white ceramic plates, almost
resembling series of necklaces. The reflection of the beam through all the different plates, created a
very white and pure light. Combined with the series of mirrors and white painted walls, a colour theme
of white was presented throughout. White connoting innocence and purity suggests that the store is
trying to make a statement that Lingerie is an innocent and natural thing to buy. As appose to the reds
and blacks (lust and passion) that can be seen in the windows of ‘Ann Summers’.
The Mirrors and glass lamp shades were also heavily featured throughout the store. Using the LED
lights to reflect the beam, creating a shiny and sparkling effect speaks to the female the gender that
the store is aiming their products at. Women are stereotypically attracted to shiny things, and so by
creating a shining effect around their products would potentially make women want to buy the lingerie.
There was also a selection of shelves in front of a Cyc which was back lit, possibly with a flood or
Parcan with a pink gel. This created a baby pink effect in the corner of the room. In Western Society
Pink is considered synonymous with femininity. So combined with the reflection of the glass and
mirrors with the pink hue highlighted the femininity in the product and draws women who consider
themselves more feminine to buy the product.

3. Example two
STORE: Ted Baker
LIGHTS USED TO CREATE OVERAL APPEARANCE AND ATMOSPHERE:
Pin spots with Barn Doors
Hanging white Lights
Neon Strip Lights
LED Ceiling Lights.
DISCUSS THE MOOD AND ATMOPHERE CREATED:
The pin spots with barn doors isolated clothes and accessories on pedestals using the barn doors.
This made the product appear in a brighter light than the rest of the otherwise dimly lit room. This,
combined with the visual aid of the pedestal suggested the product was important and extravagant.
The light added to the importance of the item which would make a customer feel as though the item
should be bought, simply because of its perceived importance with the light and pedestal. The Fitting
room sign was made from a Neon strip light. The strip light was not in fitting with other aspects of the
light, but gave the fitting rooms a young and ‘hipper’ vibe. Similar lights are used in bar’s in city bar
scenes and therefore making a shopper feel younger and trendier just being in the shop. The
compliment this gives a shopper might increase their chances to purchase something from the store.
The strip light was yellow, the colour itself connoting happiness and joy. This suggests that those
shopping and having clothes fitted are happy.
The hanging glass light’s were all connected with red ribbon that span round the shades and through
the wires. Although this did nothing to the light/beam, it did however take some focus away from the
clothes as it looked like a piece of modern or abstract art. This would perhaps make a shopper stay in
the store longer as they are viewing not only the clothes but the piece of art that is the light source.

4. Example Three
STORE: Foot Asylum
LIGHTS USED TO CREATE OVERAL APPEARANCE AND ATMOSPHERE:
Birdies
Fresnels w/ Barn Doors
Hanging Ceiling lights
Neon Strip Light
Dressing Room Bulbs, spelling out words
Hanging bulbs with spiral shades
DISCUSS THE MOOD AND ATMOPHERE CREATED:
The birdies in the shop window were being shone through and at wooden boxes where the shoes were
displayed. The reflection of this gave out an orange/yellow colour which symbolized warmth. This
would make a shopper feel warmer and happier looking at the displays and make them want to enter
the store. The fresnels, as well as creating a general wash, also highlighted certain aspects of the
clothing line, signaling them out as important pieces, hinting at a shopper to buy them. The Fitting
room sign was made from a Neon strip light. This gave the fitting rooms a young and ‘hipper’ vibe.
Similar lights are used in bar’s in city bar scenes and therefore making a shopper feel younger and
trendier just being in the shop. The compliment this gives a shopper might increase their chances to
purchase something from the store. A similar effect was also given off by the neon lamp shades
spiraling around the edge of some of the bulbs. The colour was green, quite a masculine colour,
highlighting a separate section for menswear. This made this section feel cooler as it was isolated from
the oranges made from the reflections of the wood. This may have increased the chances of men
buying from this section as the more masculine colour may have persuaded them to do so. Also, these
lamps also acted as their own work of art, again making people stop to look at them for longer,
keeping shoppers in the store for as long as possible. The dressing room mirrors also had bulbs
around the edges, similar to a dressing room mirror. This would make the shopper feel special and
important and make them feel good in the clothes they were trying on, increasing their chances of
actually buying the product.
Example Three

5. STORE: Lipsy
LIGHTS USED TO CREATE OVERAL APPEARANCE AND ATMOSPHERE:
LED Ceiling Lights
Parcans w/ Gels
Neon Pink strip light.
DISCUSS THE MOOD AND ATMOPHERE CREATED:
The Parcans used had both Pink and Red Gels in them. This created a very bright beam of a
stereotypically feminine colour throughout the store. This would have made the females shopping in
the store feel even that more feminine and as though the products the store was selling was especially
for them. The LED light’s were also shining into mirrors and glass lamp shades were also used. Using
the LED lights to reflect the beam, creating a shiny and sparkling effect speaks to the female the
gender that the store is aiming their products at. Women are stereotypically attracted to shiny things,
and so by creating a shining effect around their products would potentially make women want to buy
the products. The Fitting room sign was made from a Neon strip light. This gave the fitting rooms a
young and ‘hipper’ vibe. Similar lights are used in bar’s in city bar scenes and therefore making a
shopper feel younger and trendier just being in the shop. The compliment this gives a shopper might
increase their chances to purchase something from the store.
Example Four

6. STORE: All Saints
LIGHTS USED TO CREATE OVERAL APPEARANCE AND ATMOSPHERE:
Fresnels w/Barn Doors
Dressing Room Mirror Bulbs
Pin Spo
LED ceiling lights – different colours
DISCUSS THE MOOD AND ATMOPHERE CREATED:
The store was generally lit with LED Ceiling lights. However in the menswear section the colours of the
LED’s were changed from white to green. This made this section feel cooler as it was isolated from the
whiteness of the rest of the store. This may have increased the chances of men buying from this
section as the more masculine colour may have persuaded them to do so, making them feel more
masculine. The fresnels, as well as creating a general wash, also highlighted certain aspects of the
clothing line, signaling them out as important pieces, hinting at a shopper to buy them. The Fitting
room sign was made from a Neon strip light. This gave the fitting rooms a young and ‘hipper’ vibe.
Similar lights are used in bar’s in city bar scenes and therefore making a shopper feel younger and
trendier just being in the shop. This light flashed on and off, making the shopper feel even more
modern and drawing their attention to the fitting room.