Lighting designer James Bedell wrote an insightful blog post last weekend that I wanted to share here. His point was that the discussion around LEDs today seems to be all centered around the “science” of the source rather than the “art” of it.
It’s probably true. With the upcoming legislation changes mandating new lighting efficiency standards, it’s easy to focus on how LEDs can replace incandescent bulbs and fail to mention the other implications of this amazing technology.
LEDs are incredible because they do not require you to light up a room using a bulb: With LEDs, lighting can take all sorts of shapes and sizes. We no longer need to conform light fixtures to accommodate a bulky bulb, and that opens up the window to endless design possibilities. I talked a little about this in my post IKEA & the End of the Incandescent Light Bulb.
Sure, LEDs are available in the shape of traditional bulbs. This is simply to ease the transition into more energy-efficient lighting, and to provide products to fit into the fixtures we already have.
Let’s start thinking about lighting as art again… we have a tremendous opportunity. James Bedell
This is an exciting time for the lighting industry. In the next decade, the way we light our homes and businesses is likely to change drastically. Let’s see where LEDs take us!