Lighting Design vs. Lighting Controls
Lighting design and lighting controls are related but distinct disciplines. Lighting design is the work of determining how many fixtures, of what output and distribution, placed where, produce the light level a space needs to function and feel right. Lighting controls — occupancy sensors, daylight harvesting, scheduling, dimming — determine how that installed lighting is switched, dimmed, and automated once it exists. This guide focuses on the design/layout side: getting the right fixtures in the right places to hit the right foot-candle target. For the controls and automation side of a lighting system, see the lighting-control discussion within our Building Management Systems Explained article.