Three themed rooms for form, colour and sign
The interweaving of formal, technical and contextual references reveals how light shapes form and space, how coloured light influences perception and mood, and how luminous text generates meaning. The exhibition is therefore divided into three themed rooms: Form, Colour and Sign.

In the "Form" section, light takes centre stage as a structuring element. It focuses on lines, geometry and spatial relationships. Jeppe Hein’s light sculpture ‘Changing Neon Sculpture’, for example, is reminiscent of the Rubik’s Cube – a rotating puzzle popular in the 1980s – despite the absence of its typical colours.

The next room is devoted to colour: here, artists make deliberate use of the colour of light
to create contrasts, transitions and harmonies, as in the intensely coloured works of Dan Flavin.  

In the largest exhibition space, linguistic symbols and visual layers converge. Large-scale neon works by Maurizio Nannucci structure the space between the seven-metre-high pillars as a sequence of statements and counter-arguments.

In addition, the Light Art Centre displays works by John M. Armleder, Martin Creed, Tracey Emin, Lori Hersberger, Astrid Klein, Brigitte Kowanz, François Morellet and Keith Sonnier.

Since 2001, the ZFIL has been presenting exclusively light art in the vaults of the former Linden Brewery in Unna. In addition to the permanent exhibition featuring its own collection of international light art, there are regularly changing exhibitions.

Lighting in Harmony with the Biorhythm
Light is also a biological timekeeper. The human body is guided by day and night, light and darkness. In today’s modern working world, however, many activities take place indoors, and we receive too little natural daylight. Lighting that is based on natural light can compensate for this: Human Centric Lighting (HCL).

What Defines Good Office Lighting
Quality in lighting is not a matter of chance, but the result of clear criteria. European standards such as DIN EN 12464-1 provide guidance and define minimum requirements – for example, 500 lux for screen-based workstations. Depending on the activity and visual task, higher lux levels may be required. Disturbing shadows or glare on screens or shiny surfaces should be avoided. If daylight is insufficient, ceiling luminaires installed parallel to the window side illuminate the desks. Adjustable and dimmable desk lamps provide additional brightness on the work surface.

The light colour must also be appropriate: for focused work, light sources with a neutral white to daylight white colour temperature are recommended. In addition, luminaires should render colours accurately and have a high colour rendering index – at least R_a 80. Light sources must never flicker, as this causes premature eye fatigue. With regular maintenance, the system remains in good condition, and the required maintenance value of illuminance is maintained even after many hours of operation.

Employers Save – Employees Benefit
Modern LED technology saves energy and costs, is long-lasting and virtually maintenance-free. Upgrading outdated lighting systems therefore offers significant energy and financial savings potential. Simply replacing old lamps with LED retrofit lamps can achieve savings of 40 per cent. Savings of up to 85 per cent are possible when new luminaires are professionally planned with a lighting management system.

Lighting control systems also make it possible to implement lighting in line with the HCL concept, supporting the biorhythm. Intelligent systems automatically adjust lighting according to time of day, usage and individual needs. They provide exactly the light required – in the right intensity and colour.

Good office lighting is a key component of modern working environments. It influences how we see, think and feel – and therefore how we work. Investing in lighting not only strengthens infrastructure but also supports people. It pays off – for employers and employees alike.

Further information on lighting management is available from the industry initiative licht.de in its new brochure licht.wissen 12 Light Management.

The online registration form has been optimised: it is now very easy to register multiple events for an organisation. Alternatively, a form can be downloaded, filled in and sent to the organisers by email.

Information about UNESCO Action Day is also available on the official social media channels:
@InternationalDayOfLight on Instagram, @InternationalDayOfLight on Facebook and @International Day Of Light on LinkedIn.

International Day of Light is a global initiative that each year focuses on the appreciation of light and its role in science, culture and art, education and sustainable development, as well as in fields as diverse as medicine, communication and energy. The broad theme allows many different sectors of society to participate in activities worldwide.

Water screen in Rostock
Until 22 February, visitors to Rostock Zoo can marvel at the illustrations of Zoolichtzauber by World of Lights. In the historic part of the zoo, light artists use a variety of effects to create a very special atmosphere in the wooded landscape. The installations are accompanied by sounds or atmospheric music. One of this year's highlights is the 120-square-metre water screen.

Natural wonders in Hodenhagen
Following the successful premiere of the light festival last year, Serengeti Park in Hodenhagen, Lower Saxony, is now hosting a second edition. Millions of LEDs have been installed to create impressive light objects along a two-kilometre circular route. Under the motto ‘Natural Wonders’, visitors can expect to see various themed worlds with large-scale animal and fantasy figures until 1 March.

The mountain calls in Halle
With the fantasy spectacle Fantasy Island, Halle Mountain Zoo entices its guests into the world of modern-day fantasy stories. Over 15,000 lights create three-dimensional figures from literature and cinema, such as from The Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones.

World of Lights in Essen
Parkleuchten (Park Lights) has kicked off for the 16th time at Grugapark Essen. Until 1 March, visitors can admire light installations by the artist team ‘World of Lights’ between the main entrance, the colour terrace, the crane meadows and the botanical garden. The artists have been at work since the summer. For example, to create the chair sitter in the rose garden, a six-metre-tall figure made of 600 metres of hand-twisted wire and 300 LED light chains. Or to equip a 24-metre-long tunnel with over 7,000 individually programmed LEDs that play a fixed choreography. The evening illuminations begin at nightfall.

Ice skating in Berlin
Art lovers and winter sports enthusiasts alike will find something to enjoy at the Dark Matter light art centre in Berlin-Lichtenberg. In the monumental transformer hall, skaters can glide through a glowing winter wonderland on their blades until 17 March. Inspired by old Eastern European traditions, over 600 fir trees hang upside down from the ceiling. More than 250,000 lights create a web of colour, sparkle and reflection.

From a simple introduction to full lighting control
There are many ways to control lighting smartly – from simple remote control of lights to a fully networked home. Wireless solutions can also be easily retrofitted. Wired systems, on the other hand, are particularly useful in new buildings or during extensive renovations. 

• Lights can be easily controlled via infrared or radio. A simple remote control can be used to adjust the light colour and brightness, for example. The difference between the two systems is that infrared only works with visual contact, like a TV remote control. A radio trigger, on the other hand, can also transmit through walls. 
• Bluetooth-controlled lights also allow you to check their status, for example, whether the lighting in the next room is switched on. The lights can be dimmed, their light colours changed and colour gradients played. In addition, timer functions can be programmed or motion detectors integrated. 
• If you want to illuminate your entire house with smart lighting and expect a little more convenience, you should opt for common radio standards such as Zigbee or Enocean. A base station is connected to the Internet router in the house. Control commands are sent from a smartphone, for example, via the Wi-Fi connection to the lights or other smart home-enabled devices. More complex lighting programmes and scenes are also possible.
• KNX or EIB cable networks are installed in smart homes and, once commissioned, enable communication with devices such as alarm systems, blinds, smoke detectors, heating or lights. Each of these BUS participants has its own ‘intelligence’ and the system remains operational if individual components fail. It can also be expanded as required.

Control systems with wireless technology allow all functions to be controlled remotely. Smart lighting enables lighting concepts with special lighting experiences that can be tailored entirely to personal preferences and specific requirements. 

In our latitudes, warm white light colours are usually preferred in living spaces. This corresponds to a colour temperature of 2,700 to 3,300 Kelvin. Good colour rendering makes the colours of the surroundings appear natural; a minimum of R_a 80 or higher is recommended. 

Indirect lighting for a pleasant atmosphere 
A ceiling light for general lighting provides basic brightness in a room and enables orientation. Floodlights such as floor and wall lights provide indirect light when directed at walls and ceilings and the reflections are reflected back into the room. The combination of direct and indirect light is perceived as particularly harmonious. Many floor lamps have both: direct light downwards for reading and indirect light upwards. Cleverly placed LED strips also provide indirect light, for example as a TV backdrop.

Light is most effective when it is not uniform throughout a space. Accent lighting with spotlights can be used to highlight pictures, sculptures, display cases and shelves. However, it should be brighter than the general lighting in order to be effective.

Employees are exposed to particular dangers at night. When it is dark, accidents occur more frequently than average and are often more serious. During the day, we perceive most sensory impressions through our eyes, but at night this flow of information decreases rapidly. In addition, people are more easily dazzled in the dark and are usually already tired. The right lighting for outdoor workplaces protects against accidents.

What is new in DIN EN 12464-2?
The new version of the standard includes an additional section summarising symbols and abbreviations. New applications have been added to the tables. The recommendations in DIN EN 12464-2 have also been changed with the aim of taking greater account of user requirements. For example, the required illuminance is now specified in levels so that context modifiers can be applied. In addition, information on grid cell size, flicker and stroboscopic effect, and sustainability has been updated. A new Annex A provides information on the reflectance of some building materials used outdoors. The new Annex B provides additional information on the specific requirements for railway installations.

Users now have access to a German standard that describes the spectrum for evaluating the melanopic effect of light and specifies age-dependent correction factors for the eye as well as material-dependent correction factors for transmission and reflection. The standard is in line with international standards such as CIE S 026:2018 and CIE 015:2018. The new informative Annex E describes melanopic effects as a function of spatial light distribution.

Light in all its facets is the focus of the world's leading trade fair. Manufacturers from all over the world will be presenting groundbreaking lighting concepts for indoor and outdoor spaces, ranging from smart, minimalist solutions to surprising lighting effects. The international platform for lighting and building technology brings modern lighting design to life in all its diversity – visually, technically and atmospherically. Lectures, presentations and talks at the Design Plaza offer deep insights into current trends, topics and projects. 

The IALD has been committed to promoting and recognising outstanding lighting design for more than 50 years. The award has been presented since 1983.

Young companies bring a breath of fresh air and valuable perspectives to lighting and building technology. They often also provide answers to key questions about the future. Two areas dedicated to young talent will be available at the world's leading trade fair Light + Building for their ideas and innovations in the fields of intelligent control systems, networked building technology, and sustainable lighting solutions. They are located at the center of the trade fair: one in the electrical engineering area and one in the technical lighting area. Participating companies receive their own presentation area at one of the two joint stands. In addition, there are central information points that serve as contact points for interested parties and multipliers from the industry. Start-ups can present their solutions to an international audience of experts, make themselves known in the industry, and establish contacts. 

Participation in two steps
German companies that are less than ten years old, employ fewer than 50 people, and have an annual turnover of less than ten million euros are eligible for this opportunity to enter the market more easily. Access is granted in a two-step process: Interested parties first submit a funding application to the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA). Once approved, they can then register for the trade fair. 

Further information and an application form are available on the Light + Building website. 

Installation resembles a forest of lamps
Vertical fluorescent lamps seem to grow out of the floor of the exhibition space. Using different heights, colors and intensities, artist Andreas Schmid creates a visual concert of pulsating light and calls it “Lichtungen”. The brick walls of the vault form a haven of peace to the constantly changing staging and the viewers themselves become part of the artwork.

Floating Horizon – a network of fluorescent threads
Jeongmoon Choi from Korea lards her exhibition space with fluorescent threads that become visible under ultraviolet radiation (black light). For her work “Floating Horizon”, the artist has found ideal conditions here without any daylight at all. The stretched yarn creates an expansive installation that resembles a delicate, almost floating net. In the darkness, the colored lines overlap, new geometric surfaces emerge and the viewer experiences orientation and disorientation at the same time.

A convergence of light and darkness in the color landscape Penumbra
The title of Yoana Tuzharova's installation “Penumbra” means half shade. The third exhibition space contains transitional areas between light and dark, the visible and the hidden. The artist creates labyrinthine spaces from colored surfaces in which the interaction of spectral light and colored shadow plays a central role. With every movement of the visitor, the point of view, perspective and colors change.

The monumental light installation Stream I-III
The light sculpture “Stream I-III” by Atelier Rosalie/Thomas Jürgens, made up of several modular panels, can be seen in the museum's largest single room. It stretches across the entire length of the room. Its light panels are mounted between seven-meter-high pillars and form the digital image of a river. Here, the architecture provides the clear lines of a colored body of water. Inspired by observations of nature and digital data streams, the scenery is constantly changing.

Gala in Osnabrück
The festive awards ceremony will take place in Osnabrück. Experts from lighting design, architecture, project development and industry will celebrate the winners together and discuss current trends and innovations in lighting design.

The candidates for the award will be presented on the competition website.

The motto of next year's innovation show is “Be Electrified - Electrifying Places. Illuminating Spaces.” Important topics for the lighting and building technology sectors are electrification and digitalization – especially in existing buildings. The umbrella term Electrifying Places refers to the constant development and networking of urban spaces. Illuminating Spaces, on the other hand, focuses on the design aspects of lighting technology. Ideally, design, material and form combine harmoniously with architecture and surroundings – and thus shape the emotional spatial experience.

An early bird price is still available for exhibitors until April 30, 2025.

The forum aims to use multidisciplinary design approaches to explore key topics in greater depth, such as the interaction between light and architecture. Lighting and well-being are other important aspects of the integrated and sustainable design of public and private spaces.

Communication platform for international guests
Creative minds, architects, designers, scientists and experts from the lighting industry from all over the world will meet here. The artist duo Drift from Amsterdam, the American lighting designer and artist A.J. Weissbard and the Dutch solar designer Marjan van Aubel have already announced their participation.

The congress will be held as a bilingual hybrid conference in German and English. All presentations can also be followed online. In addition to specialist lectures and panel discussions, there will also be an exhibition at various locations: in the Weser-Ems-Halle and the three theme houses “Technology & Research”, “Nature & Outdoor Lighting” and “Architecture & Lighting Design”.

Student sponsorships
Since 1972, the German Society for Lighting Technology and Lighting Design, Lighting Society of Austria, Nederlandse Stichting voor Verlichtingskunde and the Swiss Lighting Society have organized the conference every two years. Since 2000, companies have had the opportunity to support young lighting engineers and enable them to take part in the conference.

Practical test: LED beats halogen
The ADAC compared halogen and LED lights in a test back in 2020. LED headlights scored highly with many advantages:

• greater light range at night
• Long service life
• Colour temperature similar to daylight

The whiter light of the LED models means that contrasts are perceived well and objects or people at the edge of the road are recognised more easily and better. According to the automobile club, the LED light also shines the light more focussed onto the road and illuminates the right-hand edge in particular more than the halogen light.

Available for many models
Halogen lamps in H4, H7 or H1 sockets can be converted in many car models. They are also available for motorbikes and classic cars. Retrofitting is also possible for some popular vans and motorhomes. Compatibility lists for light sources can be found on the manufacturers' websites. Adapters are available for some models. As a general rule, retrofits, i.e. LED replacement lamps, may only be installed in headlights of approved vehicles in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. If this is not followed, the operating licence may expire.

Germany
Winter illuminations in the city centre can be admired at the Essener Lichtwochen (Essen Light Weeks) until 4 January 2025. The series of events is celebrating its 75th anniversary and today impresses with three-dimensional animal figures and themed images.

With more than one million LEDs, Magdeburg has the most extensive Christmas and winter lighting in central Germany. The Lichterwelt Magdeburg (Magdeburg World of Lights) can be seen until 2 February 2025 and is the perfect backdrop for selfies.

Austria
Claiming to have the largest illuminated nativity scene in the world, the Winterwunder (Winter Wonder) in Mörbisch, Austria, attracts visitors until 5 January 2025. The nativity light show takes place on the lakeside stage on Lake Neusiedl.

Also in Austria, hundreds of thousands of lights illuminate the Salzkammergut treetop path until 12 January 2025. The Lichterzauber am Grünberg (Magic of lights on the Grünberg) in Gmunden is committed to sustainability: 300,000 LEDs consume less energy than one person uses per day in a private household.

Almost 250 kilometres away, the path is not at altitude, but stretches over three kilometres through Laxenburg Castle Park. The Illumina event calls itself Austria's largest garden of lights and can be visited until 12 January 2025. Water, laser and light shows, light installations by international artists and impressive projections await the public.

Switzerland
During the Lilu Light Festival in Lucerne, Switzerland, almost 20 light installations can be admired around the Lucerne lake basin and in the old town from 9 to 19 January 2025. Artists from all over the world will showcase the diverse and fascinating facets of light and media art.

The Murten Light Festival in Switzerland will take place from 15 to 26 January 2025. The programme is still a secret, but in the past Murten Tourism has often combined the light festival with acrobatics and dance.

The Netherlands
More than a million visitors are drawn to Amsterdam. The 13th edition of the Amsterdam Light Festival light art event will take place until 19 January 2025. The installations can be viewed particularly well from the water.

Finland
Even further north, Finland's largest light festival Lux will take place in Helsinki from 8 to 12 January 2025. The well-known Finnish light artist Kari Kola will also be represented with an installation in Esplanade Park. The city plans to acquire one or two of the artworks each year and exhibit them permanently in public spaces.

England
Blackpool Illuminations will light up the six-mile promenade until 5 January 2025. The traditional festival in the English coastal town dates back to 1879, when electric street lighting was still completely new and largely unknown.

Festivals of light have a long tradition – even before the nineteenth century: for example, at the summer solstice in Sweden, at the Hindu Diwali festival or at the St Martin's processions in Austria and Germany.

Inspired by nature
The key to this technique lies in small inorganic molecules featuring four sulphur atoms around tungsten or molybdenum: tetrathiometallates. This was inspired by the world of proteins: The molecules often occur as binding sites for metals in natural enzymes and serve as active agents against cancer and disorders of copper metabolism. This binding property is now being utilised for the separation of metals from the rare earth group.

The procedure comes at the right time: since 2023, fluorescent lamps may no longer be placed on the market in the European Union. Lighting systems will therefore have to be refurbished in the foreseeable future and large quantities of electronic waste will be generated because millions of fluorescent lamps are in circulation. The technology has already been patented. The researchers now want to extend the new separation process to other rare earth metals – such as neodymium and dysprosium from magnets. The university plans to found a start-up to commercialise the technology.

The performance and reliability of the devices and equipment used must now comply with the latest safety standards. More extensive requirements also apply to the initial inspection, handover documentation, inspection log and maintenance. The standard also provides detailed instructions for carrying out on-site measurements in order to obtain accurate and reliable results.

There are also new recommendations for operating durations and activation times in order to optimize the performance of the systems depending on the application. Particularly in exceptional situations - such as temporary shutdowns or longer power outages - special timers should be used or systems switched off to ensure continued safety. The annex now also contains requirements for the design of the system cabling.

The standard refers to safety lighting for escape routes, for workplaces with special hazards, local lighting and anti-panic lighting.

Keynote 1: Lamp Bans – Refurbishment of Lighting
80 million low-discharge lamps are still in use in Germany alone. But they are being phased out – the EU has banned fluorescent tubes. This is why many lighting systems need to be converted, emphasises Jan Eisleben from Radium and member of the licht.de working group in his presentation. He also addresses lighting quality, sustainability, energy and maintenance costs.

Keynote 2: Utilizing potential: Retrofitting Luminaires
Heiko Becker from Erco explains how waste can be avoided, CO₂ reduced and resources conserved during a lighting refurbishment in his presentation. For him, the right time to retrofit is when users are no longer satisfied with their lighting. The choice of a new lighting solution then depends on this.

Keynote 3: Connectivity– Potential for more Efficiency and Convenience
Arnulf Rupp from Inventronics introduces us to the world of networking, connectivity and lighting control. His conclusion: On/Off is not enough. He described why modern lighting management belongs in buildings, the benefits it brings and what wireless lighting control must be able to achieve.

Keynote 4: Digital Lighting Design
Digital buildings simulate all trades within a building. Networking and joint visualisation promote their collaboration. For lighting design, Building Information Modelling (BIM) provides a detailed data model that can be enriched as required. Robert Heinze from Relux Informatik explains for licht.de which programmes are used to design lighting today.

licht.de would like to thank Messe Frankfurt for their support.

Until October 6, 2024: Lichtparcours in Braunschweig
International light art with 13 works by renowned artists can be seen at the Braunschweig Lichtparcours along the river Oker. This year, the Artworks are dominated by the aspect of sustainability – be it directly or indirectly, in the discussion, in the material or in the use of energy. Two works have been devised by students at the Institute for Architecture-Related Art at the Technical University of Braunschweig – one focuses on the changes to the world's oceans as a habitat, another on global water scarcity. The accompanying program includes guided tours, readings and creative workshops.

The Herrenhausen Gardens in Hanover will shine until October 13, 2024
The illuminated fountains and water features in the baroque gardens will sparkle during the Herrenhäuser Gärten leuchten light festival in Hanover. Statues and dense hedges are illuminated to great effect. The "Water Music" by George Frideric Handel is played in a recording by the Hanover Court Orchestra. On many evenings in summer, the landscape architecture with its impressive fountains and water cascades is atmospherically illuminated. The Great Garden is also worth a visit in other respects; it is one of the most important baroque gardens in Europe.

On view until August 31, 2024: Festival Constellations in Metz
The French mirabelle plum city of Metz on the Moselle can be reached in an hour from Saarbrucken. The free open-air event Festival Constellations is dedicated to the digital arts and features 35 works, including laser light projections, multimedia installations and video mappings in and on historic buildings and squares in the old town. The projections on the façade of the Gothic Saint-Étienne Cathedral are particularly popular. At the heart of the event are two different walks entitled "Digital Stones" and "Art & Gardens".

August 15 to September 15, 2024: Karlsruhe Castle Light Festival
The Karlsruhe light festival focuses on the residence of the former margraves and grand dukes of Baden. The city is famous for its radial layout with the castle at its centre. International artists develop six different shows as 3D video mappings for the Schlosslichtspiele in the UNESCO City of Media Arts, which are projected onto the 170-metre-long baroque palace façade – every evening for several weeks with free admission. The festival will take place in 2024 under the motto "Everybody counts". To mark the 75th anniversary of the German constitution, the organizers are advocating equal rights and democracy. The politically committed musician Herbert Grönemeyer will perform two live concerts as an overture on August 9 and 10. Tickets are available in advance.

August 20 to 24, 2024: Bella Skyway Festival in Toru?, Poland
At the Polish light festival Bella Skyway Festival, visitors can visit more than a dozen international installations in the old town of Toru? for a week and take part in events on the theme of light. The city's infrastructure becomes the setting for fascinating light shows on buildings and in the streets. Medieval brick Gothic characterizes the image of the old town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Special exhibitions also showcase popular science institutions such as the M?yn Wiedzy Science Center and the Center for Modern Art.

September 18 to 22, 2024: Apollon Festival in Saarbrucken
Over five days, façade projections, 3D mapping and audio visual installations can be seen free of charge at the Apollon Festival in Saarbrucken. The visual arts festival takes place in the hip east harbour, a former industrial area that is currently being developed into a cultural mile. Artists or artist groups from Italy, Spain and Hungary create the projections and installations. Students from the Saar University of Fine Arts and the Campus for Design and Art at Trier University of Applied Sciences will also be presenting their works.

September 26 to 28, 2024: Mainz lights up – the Late Light Festival
From the Rheingoldhalle to Schillerplatz, the state capital of Rhineland-Palatinate lights up at the Late Light Festival. Mainz is known for its old town with its half-timbered houses and medieval market squares. Buildings are illuminated and artistically staged for the event. Various light installations and video projections show prominent buildings in a new light, including St. Martin's Cathedral, the State Theatre and the town hall plateau. There are also "traveling" projections, the so-called Traveling Lights. The numerous video projections were designed by the "Time-based Media" course at Mainz University of Applied Sciences. Gastronomy, retail and culture also offer a varied supporting program in the city centre.

No claim to completeness

Luminaires must be weatherproof
Light in the evening makes it easier to handle sharp knives and hot grills. It also helps to avoid accidents. At the dining table, the right lighting conjures up a cosy and communicative atmosphere. In principle, any type of outdoor lighting should be weatherproof: The IP protection rating indicates how effectively a light is protected against the ingress of dust and water. A value of at least IP 44 is recommended close to the house wall. Luminaires without a roof should have at least IP 65.

Easy installation
Wall lights provide good ambient lighting on the patio or in the kitchen area, for example. Ceiling lights that distribute light evenly are ideal for covered areas.

Luminaires near the barbecue direct glare-free light onto the work surface when preparing food. Accent lighting creates a pleasant atmosphere and rounds off the garden gourmet experience. Lighting for peripheral areas and paths help the human eye to adapt when the gaze wanders from the brightly lit cooking island into the darkness.

Easy installation: Plug-and-play systems allow several lights to be connected to a transformer for low voltage and cables, lights and accessories to be simply plugged together. With additional controllers, the lighting can also be controlled and dimmed by remote control. Such systems are very flexible and safe against electric shock – for the protection of people and animals.

For four weeks, the study participants with mild to moderate disease received 30 minutes a day of a therapy modelled on daylight (Day Mel) or enhanced melanopsin-stimulating light (Enhanced Mel). Both therapies were tailored to the personal chronotype and the light exposure in the environment was monitored. Both the controlled daylight and the melanopsin booster light measurably improved restorative deep sleep. However, the researchers did not find a significant difference between the two intervention groups and attribute this to the early stage of the disease.

Playing with illusion
"Welcome Tomorrow" stands for designs that use advanced technologies to give natural phenomena and lighting effects a new aesthetic. Softly glowing pastel shades dominate the colour palette and seem to radiate from within. Illusory effects are a recurring design element. Many designers use materials and shapes for their luminaires that play with perception through shadows, reflections and movement. Designers, craftsmen and developers explore the intersection of materials, aesthetics and feasibility and take ecological and sustainable aspects into account in the creation process.

Modern, genuine and clear
The "Embrace Simplicity" trend focuses on soothing, calm and holistic designs. They are created through creative clarity and authenticity and focus on values such as sustainability, functionality and emotion. The colour scheme is characterised by natural and untreated material colours: pastels and lighter tones convey lightness and correspond with darker room colours. Ergonomic room concepts are combined with warmth and cosiness. Lighting, furnishings and decorative elements are characterised by simple modernity.

The special is the trump card
"Create Uniqueness" focusses on the extraordinary, such as diverse designs with a distinctly unique character. Originality is created in a dialogue between industry and craftsmanship. Colours play a key role, turning designs and materials into eye-catchers with striking accents. The palette is colourful, lively and unusual. The lights are created using a variety of techniques, contrasting materials and shapes. Aesthetically different concepts are often combined, with strong motifs and patterns meeting clear shapes.

The three top themes will be presented in detail in lectures at the Design Plaza in Hall 3.1. The accompanying trend show will provide visual impressions and additional information.

The winners will be honoured at a ceremony on 2 December 2024 and announced to the public. The award-winning projects will then go on a one-year travelling exhibition, which will be presented at trade fairs, design and environmental festivals and museums across Europe.