Grounded in science, designed for how people see, feel, and experience light
Lighting is more than illumination - it shapes how we see, feel, and live. The right light goes beyond visibility; it supports our vision, biology, and emotions, influencing every aspect of our daily life.
Why light matters
Light impacts us in three powerful ways: the visual function affects how we see, the biological function affects how we feel, and the emotional function affects how we experience light.
Visual function
Light defines clarity, depth, and comfort. It enables us to perceive colour, texture, and contrast, making spaces feel natural and objects look true-to-life. High-quality lighting ensures vibrant skin tones and consistent color, creating environments that are both functional and visually pleasing.
Biological function
Light is a key regulator of our internal clock and energy levels. Exposure to bright, cool light during the day enhances alertness and focus, while softer, warmer light in the evening signals the body to wind down. Thoughtful lighting supports our well-being, comfort, and natural rhythms, helping us feel energised when we need it and relaxed when we rest.
Emotional function
Light profoundly affects mood and atmosphere. Warm tones foster intimacy and calm, while cooler tones encourage focus and clarity. By prioritizing human experience, lighting can transform a space, create feelings that align with its purpose and the people in it.
The best lighting isn’t just about meeting technical norms - it’s about enhancing vision, supporting health, and shaping emotions.
What is spectral engineering, and why it matters
Spectral engineering is the science of shaping light at its source. By tuning the spectrum - not just relying on metrics - you can create light that looks right, feels right, and performs right for every application.
Metrics like CCT and CRI describe light in numbers, but they don’t tell the whole story. Light sources can share the same CCT and CRI yet look completely different, because perception depends on the spectral recipe and surrounding context.
Light quality can often be misunderstood or oversimplified. Here are three common myths about high quality of light but can’t capture the full experience of light.
The fact
CCT describes how warm or cool light appears to be, but it doesn’t capture how light is perceived in real environments. Two lights with the same CCT can look very dissimilar depending on spectral distribution, colour shift (Duv), and the materials they illuminate. Spectral engineering considers these and other aspects of light to craft the right recipe.
Quality of light
The right light does more than illuminate: it enhances clarity, supports well-being, and creates experiences that connect, inspire, and leave a lasting impression.
Spatial quality
Reveals depth, texture, and natural colour, making spaces visually clear and compelling.
Temporal quality
Smooth, stable light reduces eyestrain and visual fatigue, keeping people comfortable and engaged.
Spectral quality
The spectrum of light sets mood, supports biological rhythms, and amplifies the emotional experience that gives a space identity.
Patented spectral recipes from Signify
Every environment has its own purpose for light - from revealing colour and texture in retail, to creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere in restaurants, supporting comfort and focus in workplaces, or providing calm, easy-going experiences aboard a cruise ship.
Our patented spectral recipes are crafted through years of industry experience, deep lighting expertise, and close collaboration with customers, lighting designers, and architects. Together, we create practical lighting solutions tuned for the space, the activity and the people within. Each recipe is grounded in validated research, refined through rigorous testing, and proven in real environments.
Indoor - Premium light recipes
Designed for retail, hospitality, leisure, and dining environments, our Premium light recipes balance vibrancy, contrast, and elegance - shaping experiences that feel authentic and visually clear.
Indoor - Food light recipes
Our food light recipes use enhanced spectra to showcase food at its most appetising—bringing out rich colours, crisp textures, and a fresh, inviting look that draws customer attention.
Outdoor light recipes
Our outdoor light recipe enhances colour perception at night without increasing light levels, increasing visibility and feelings of safety without unpleasant brightness.
VitaUp
VitaUp modules recreate the sun’s essential UVB light, empowering your lighting designs to deliver the health benefits of natural sunlight and supporting the body’s own vitamin D synthesis indoors.
BioUp
BioUp supports well-being in modern environments through dynamic circadian lighting. It mimics natural daylight patterns to help keep the human biological rhythm in sync.
Support every step of the way – partnering with you to shape the future of lighting
When you partner with Signify, you become part of our team, gaining benefits that go far beyond top-of-the-line lighting products and components.
Our partnership includes:
Configuration tools and documentation
Ongoing technical support