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Lighting insights - from the land of the midnight sun
Travelling Sweden in summertime is a crash course in lighting theory. Watching the sun dipping her toes in a deep blue lake, before she reluctantly sets on the horizon, is a work of art which can only compete with the spectacular sunrise a few hours later.
During a summer day in Sweden, you can follow the circle of light from dawn to dusk, before stepping into the wonderful sunlight again. The night is barely noticeable. It is no wonder that Scandinavians are obsessed with light. With the blessing of seasons we also have the benefits, and challenges, of the daylight varying with them – and we’ve learned to cherish every moment.
In our part of the world, the number of daylight hours can vary between 6 and 18 hours per day. In the northernmost parts of Scandinavia, at the summer solstice, the sun does not go below the horizon at all – a phenomenon called the midnight sun. On the other hand, at the time of the winter solstice, the sun does not rise at all. At the place from which we origin, the small village of Fagerhult at Lake Vättern in southern Sweden, the contrasts are not that extreme, though there is still a big difference in the length of day and night depending on the season. In June, the sun will not set until after 10 PM only to rise again already at 4 AM. In between, we can enjoy a spectacular twilight.
"It is not wild guessing that our commitment to lighting is a result of the urge to explore our instinctive knowledge of what light means visually, emotionally and biologically." Elin Stjernholm, R&D Manager at Fagerhult
"Part of our DNA"
”The contrasts between the long, dark winter days and the endless and light summer nights are part of our DNA. It is not wild guessing that our commitment to lighting is a result of the urge to explore our instinctive knowledge of what light means visually, emotionally and biologically”, explains Elin Stjernholm, R&D Manager at Fagerhult.
The long, bright summer days have an astonishing effect on most of us. Everyone seems to be happier and more energized. Of course, the circadian rhythm can also be affected, making it a bit harder to sleep. The allure of the daylight is its natural variations. Daylight is living and dynamic – constantly shifting in intensity, brightness and colour. These variations have the power to make us more alert or more relaxed depending on the time of the day. Those insights are the inspiration behind the knowledge used in Fagerhult’s lighting solutions.
”Quality lighting is extremely important for human well-being and affects our health and our mood in a good way. At Fagerhult we have a long tradition of creating lighting solutions for increased well-being and creativity in different human environments, for example schools, offices and healthcare. And this is of course connected to our experiences of the Scandinavian light. In application where needed, we create lighting solutions that complement and strive to mimic the dynamic natural light”, says Elin Stjernholm.
The five different receptors
But how does it work? Actually it is quite simple. Hidden in the depths of the human retina, there’s a network of tiny cells. Five different receptors collect all kind of optical information and each of these “little device” is highly specialized and together they are world class in one simple thing: Gathering and evaluating daylight. How much light does your eyes get and of what quality? As the super sensitive sensors they are, they registers all things light-related and passes the information on to the part of the brain which controls your circadian rhythm.
The lighting information provided by the grid of receptors, transmitted to your brain will affect your body’s production of the sleep hormone melatonin and the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol production will increase at daytime when light levels are high, keeping you alert. Melatonin production starts when light levels are lower and in the dark, at night-time, telling you that the working day is over and that it is time to unwind and rest.
Finding the perfect combination
With this knowledge we are able to create indoor lighting solutions that everyone can benefit from, helping you to feel energized and perhaps even happier. Basically, it is the lighting level, colour rendering and the colour temperature of the light that is most important. Powerful, bright and cool lighting – like the light outdoors on a sunny day will make you feel focused and alert. Dim, warm lighting will make you feel more relaxed and creates a cozy, warm atmosphere, says Elin Stjernholm.
”If you want to create an efficient work environment you can combine powerful lighting levels and light with a cooler lighting temperature, and you will feel your energy levels rise. If you, on the other hand, want a comfier and homier feeling where people feel relaxed, you should opt for lower lighting levels and a warm light. With today’s lighting technology you can easily choose and change between different feelings and lighting scenarios using the same luminaries.”
Gryning and skymning
This is basically the connection between light, human emotions and energy levels and it also explains why we are so fascinated by the shifts of the day, especially dawns and sunsets.
When visiting the Nordic countries you can experience spectacular twilight periods. Close to the equator twilight only lasts a couple of minutes as the sky changes from daylight to pitch black. But the closer you get to the poles, the longer the twilight period lasts, and depending on season it can take over an hour. That twilight is important to us Scandinavians is also noticeable in the Swedish language. Some cultures use the same word for the morning and the evening light while Swedes always use the two different words for dawn and dusk: ”gryning” and ”skymning”.
The daylight is the inspiration
Actually, to any successful light planner, it is the endless sky, the horizon and the blazing sun that is the optimal lighting scenario. Imagine sitting on a meadow in summertime, slowly watching the day fade away. The light is all around you, it comes from all sides, it is not just directed at you from above.
”Lighting solutions that provides comfortable lighting levels from all directions, preferably with ambient lighting from ceilings and walls, is the best way of mimicking natural daylight, telling your eyes and your brain, that the world – and you – are doing just fine. It’s as simple, and complicated, as that!”
TEXT AMELIE BERGMAN
PHOTO EN PRODUKTIONSBYRÅ
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Read more about 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.
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Lighting First Aid for the TikTok-generation
When lighting expert Shelley James realized how lockdown affects the wellbeing of kids and teenagers, she was shocked. Now she is joining forces with Fagerhult to improve the light health of the TikTok-generation. Nieces halo and amity are two of the most important people in Dr Shelley James’ life. ”They’re such an inspiration to me”, she laughs.With a PhD from the Royal College of Art and as an international expert on light and well-being (you might have seen her appearing on the award-winning BBC series ”Innovations that Changed the World” and on the webinar series the Neuroscience of Light) Shelley James has in-depth knowledge of how light affects our well-being through life. With her cheerful nieces around she has developed a deep commitment to improve the light health of teenagers. ”The adolescent brain is going through the most amazing process and it cannot be compared to the brain of a grown up. The connections between different parts of the brain are going through profound change, which is key to their health and happiness into adulthood and beyond. This, along with the rapid changes in their physical bodies, means that they need an hour more sleep than a ten year old”, Shelley James explains. ”In fact, the teenager’s circadian rhythm is running two hours late compared to an adult. That means that a 7am wake-up call for an adult feels like 5am for an adolescent. Might be good to know if you have teenagers around…” Img 1 ALARMING SITUATION This said, the access to daylight and high-quality artificial light at the right time of day – with the right colour and in the right amount – is crucial for the health of teenagers always. In times of lockdown Shelley James finds the situation alarming. Homeschooling has resulted in wrecked routines and young people spending their days in their rooms with drawn blinds in front of a computer screen. Many of them do not go outside for long periods, meaning they are not getting any daylight at all. ”When lockdown came, I saw how young people around me were living in dark rooms and working in weak flickering light on the kitchen table. I was shocked by how little they knew about how their bodies and minds were affected by this.” The common denominator between the rise in myopia, obesity, depression and learning difficulties among young people is the lack of good lighting, concludes Shelley James. ”We are already seeing problems with kids not getting enough sleep. When your body clock is not working properly it leads to struggles with obesity, mental health and concentration problems.” SIMPLE SOLUTIONS The good news is, that this can all be easily prevented, if only the teenagers themselves (and okay, their parents and teachers as well) had some basic lighting knowledge. It’s really simple, she says. ”Did you, for example, know that you don’t have to wear glasses just because your parents did? If you spend time outdoors, getting enough daylight when growing up, you can reduce the risk of ending up wearing glasses by up to 40 percent.” Another fun fact that teenagers would benefit from knowing is that you can actually boost your brain with 20 percent higher learning capacity – just by switching of lights and screens and go to bed at the proper hour. ”In 2021, lighting is quite different than in it used to be. I think it’s a wonderful thing that development in the electronics has reduced a lot of the flicker – and tunable light is opening the door to different light colours to improve our well-being”, says Shelley James. To take advantage of all opportunities offered, we have to raise the awareness among teenagers, their parents and scholars. And, maybe most important of all: we have to suggest practical solutions that are easy to understand and act upon. Img 2 THE BIRTH OF LUNA GOLIGHTLY Said and done. After teaming up with some of the leading researchers and manufacturers within the lighting field, Shelley James launched the Luna Project of which Fagerhult is a very proud sponsor. Her idea is to address teenagers directly, helping them to gain insights and take actions to improve their health and wellbeing. And of course she turned to beloved nieces Halo and Amity for advice. ”Teenagers are amazing, thoughtful, lively people with loads of intelligence. They easily absorb this kind of knowledge, but we have to understand that this is the TikTok-generation, and they do not respond to traditional tutorials. They do want information but they don’t want to feel like they are being ‘taught’”, she muses. Based on this insight ”Luna Golightly and the Fireflies” was born. Five short videos the fictional teenage girl Luna Golightly explains how young people can act ”light smart” in order to sleep better, prevent headache, improve their study results and even avoid wearing glasses. The videos are published on social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Of course, you can also find them at the Fagerhult website. Q Shelly INSPIRING KNOWLEDGE FOR ALL AGES The Luna Golightly videos are supplemented with interviews and tutorials with international scientists and lighting specialists explaining the facts behind the films, among others Henrik Clausen, director of Fagerhult Lighting Academy. ”This material works as an introduction to the subject for parents and teachers. The scientist interviews can also be used to introduce different topics and activities if you want to deepen the discussion when teaching or talking with your kids, explains Shelley James, admitting that Luna is a passion project of hers. ”As adults we are the guardians of these young minds – and they are growing up really fast! For all of us that are passionate about light and lighting I think this is a no-brainer. No matter if you’re a lighting specialist, a specifier or a buyer – first and foremost, we are all mothers and fathers, grandparents or uncles – and of course, aunts. It is time for us to remember who we are doing this for. Img 3 SOME FACTS ABOUT DR SHELLEY JAMES DR Shelley James is the founder of Age of Light Innovation.She holds a PhD from the Royal College of Art and is an international expert on light and well-being. Current clients include Glaxo Smithkline, The Royal Society of British Sculptors and Bristol University. She is a passionate advocate for public engagement with science. She is Associate Artist at King’s College London, has an ongoing Residency at the Bristol Eye Hospital and a Visiting Lectureship at the Royal College of Art.![Lifelong learning - a journey throughout life](https://www.fagerhult.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=540,quality=80,fit=crop,onerror=redirect/globalassets/global/_news/2020/lifelong-learning/library-header.jpg)
Lifelong learning - a journey throughout life
Lifelong learning concerns every individual’s opportunity – and responsibility – to continue developing and learning new things throughout life. However, how do we encourage lifelong learning once school is over? They say that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but current research disagrees. Research in lifelong learning has, for almost half a century, studied and examined learning throughout life. One researcher who’s studied the subject in greater detail is Professor Cecilia Bjursell of Jönköping University. – Lifelong learning is a holistic approach to education and learning which recognises learning in several different environments, Bjursell explains. The idea of lifelong learning is based on two principles: on the one hand that an individual continues learning throughout life, and on the other that learning doesn’t only take place within the bounds of formal education. Learning is just as likely to take place at work and in everyday life. School comprises extremely important preparation for lifelong learning. This is where we’re given the tools which enable us to continue our personal development in later life. Lifelong learning is also a hot topic internationally. Lifelong learning is included in the EU strategy for education and training until 2020, which “focuses on lifelong learning and mobility, the quality and efficiency of education, equality, and innovation”. The UN also underlines the importance of not neglecting our personal development. In 2015, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a decision on 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in connection with its work on Agenda 2030. Goal 4 has a clear focus on education, wherein society shall “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”. Img 1 NEW TECHNOLOGY – NEW DEMANDS Historically, we have acquired our education at an early age, and we have then relied on that education throughout our working lives, perhaps with the odd course now and then. Today, we need to change this static view of learning. To develop, and remain a fully fledged member of contemporary society, we need to integrate continuous learning with everyday life. The technological developments seen in society drive our needs, and we need to update our skills to keep up. Consider, for example, learning how to use Zoom or a digital ID. We need to embrace new technologies and learn new things at all ages. – What’s new is that today lifelong learning is so clearly associated with higher education, says Bjursell. Interest in vocational courses is also increasing, a result of the increasing need for education across the board. Furthermore, research has shown that the higher your level of education, the easier it is to benefit from new courses. 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Once you’ve identified how you learn best, there are different methods for developing your learning, both at work and in life. You could start by learning about a subject you find interesting, and then build on that. Learning can take place anywhere, but first it must be enabled. – Mentoring and custom courses at the workplace are effective ways of encouraging learning at work, Bjursell explains. However, the person who is most knowledgeable about, say, LEDs, might not be best suited to be a mentor, although this is a skill which can be learned. We shouldn’t be blinkered and focus on just one skill – we need to see the entire breadth of skills which are needed. There’s a need to create an open learning environment at the company which can be developed. One thing you always need to keep in mind when planning a course is to adapt it to those who are taking it. Many of the participants might not have their own office or even their own email, they might have to take the course on their smartphone. Img 2 EXAMPLES OF LIFELONG LEARNING As with all development and change work, it’s a good idea to have both a plan and an objective. Write down what you want to learn, how you want to learn it and the aim of your new knowledge. Then, start on a small scale, expanding things as you go along. Examples of learning at work: GET A MENTORSomeone at your/another workplace who can reflect on the circumstances and events of your working life and profession. SHADOW A COLLEAGUE AT YOUR WORKPLACEAn easy way to learn more about other professions/other departments at your work, offering greater insight into the entire business. FEEDBACK FROM A COACH (COLLEAGUE/MANAGER)Ask one of your colleagues/managers for regular and honest feedback on your performance. JOB SWAP WITH ANOTHER WORKPLACESpeak to colleagues at other workplaces about the possibility of a job swap week. LEARNING IN THE RIGHT LIGHT Lighting and ergonomics are central to making a learning environment suited to everyone – from the very youngest at preschool, through the nearly 240,000 teachers at Swedish preschools, primary schools and secondary schools, to older students studying evening courses at university. All of them have their schools as a workplace, and they need to be able to adjust the lighting to best suit different learning situations. This includes, for example, being able to dim, control and change the colour temperature of the lighting, all of which aim to enhance and facilitate learning. 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