Lighting at the Heart of the Creative Experience

In the world of video game design, everything begins with an experience. That of the players, of course, but also that of the teams who imagine, sketch, model, and test virtual worlds. In these spaces of intense creation, light is never incidental: it influences concentration, color perception, collective energy, and even the capacity to innovate.

At Patriarche, we view lighting as a fully-fledged architectural material, inseparable from design, use, and environment. The layout of a video game design studio provided an opportunity to mobilize this expertise, in collaboration with Chantal Aubin, lighting consultant at AMP Lighting. We developed a bespoke lighting strategy tailored to the rhythms, practices, and creative culture of its users.

Understanding uses before designing light

Before talking about luminaires, lux levels or color temperatures, any lighting project begins with a simple question: how is the space actually lived in? In this studio, usage typologies are multiple: long periods of screen-based work, team collaboration time, moments of relaxation and disconnection, and occasional needs for privacy.

Each area therefore calls for a specific lighting response. A detailed analysis of spaces and practices was carried out, supported by precise photometric calculations and on-site tests, in order to define the optimal lighting level for each situation.

Designing Light to Foster Creativity: Use Case of a Video Game Design Studio

Open areas: less light, more focus

Contrary to traditional office standards, the lighting of open areas has been deliberately rethought. Where 500 lux is usually expected, work surfaces have been illuminated at around just 10 lux. This conscious choice helps reduce contrast and screen glare, limit visual fatigue, and create an enveloping atmosphere conducive to sustained concentration.

To ensure optimal comfort, the aim was to achieve soft, perfectly uniform lighting, without pronounced shadow areas. High-performance LED luminaires combining direct and indirect lighting were selected. The indirect lighting, projected towards the ceilings, ensures homogeneous, non-intrusive diffusion throughout the space.

The color temperature, set at 3,500 K, is close to natural daylight: a subtle balance, ideal for supporting attention without unnecessarily stimulating the body. Dimmers also make it possible to adjust light intensity throughout the day and according to the amount of natural daylight.

Working with natural light, not against it

Daylight plays a central role in workplace well-being, provided it is properly controlled. In this project, it has been fully integrated into the overall strategy. It is managed using opaque solar screens, adjustable curtains, and careful modulation of light intake based on orientation and time of day.

This combination preserves the benefits of natural light while avoiding glare and overly abrupt variations

Collaborative spaces: creating a dynamic environment

In meeting and collaboration areas, the lighting needed to support group dynamics. Here, illumination levels were increased to 500–600 lux, using suspended luminaires that diffuse even light. The challenge: to create a stimulating, legible setting that encourages interaction and communication. Dimming and zoning systems make it possible to adapt the lighting atmosphere to different uses: formal meetings, creative workshops, presentations, or more informal exchanges.

Shared spaces: playing with atmospheres

Relaxation and circulation areas were designed as genuine breathing spaces within the workday. LED strips, programmable luminaires and motion sensors make it possible to modulate light intensity and rhythm. The lighting can transform the atmosphere depending on the time of day and the intended use.

In the kitchen, the approach is radical: a lounge atmosphere inspired by the club scene, with a very warm color temperature of 1,500 K, creating a cosy, relaxed mood.

Conversely, certain emblematic elements (such as the logo at the entrance) are highlighted by cooler light, around 6,000 K, with almost neon-like reflections. This play of contrast between warm and cool intuitively structures the spaces and enriches the sensory experience.

Privacy spaces: targeted lighting comfort

For the phone booths and occasional work areas, the challenge was to create a bubble conducive to concentration. A lighting level of 300 lux was selected, higher than in open areas, to support attention during short, precise tasks. Adjustable desk lamps allow each user to tailor their lighting environment to their preferences, reinforcing a sense of control and comfort.

Color accuracy: an essential requirement for digital creation

In a video game design studio, lighting directly influences the perception of the graphic worlds being created. Color accuracy is therefore a critical issue.

All luminaires installed in work areas feature a color rendering index (CRI) above 90, ensuring faithful and natural color reproduction. Particular attention was also paid to the consistency of color temperatures within each space, in order to guarantee a uniform perception of materials, textures, and surfaces.

“ Lighting is not just about being able to see clearly. It sets the tone of a space; it influences how we feel in it, how we work in it. When it is thoughtfully designed, it changes everything—even if we don’t always know why. ”
Cynthia Roy, Interior Designer

Glossary: understanding the fundamentals of lighting

Lux (lx): Unit of measurement for illuminance. It indicates the amount of light received by a surface. The higher the lux value, the brighter the surface.
Color temperature (Kelvin – K): Color temperature describes the “tone” of light.
- Warm light (≈ 1,500 to 2,700 K) has yellow/orange hues.
- Neutral light (≈ 3,500 to 4,000 K) is closer to daylight.
- Cool light (≈ 6,000 K and above) appears more bluish.
LED (light-emitting diode): A highly energy-efficient lighting technology, offering long lifespan and excellent control over intensity and color temperature.
Direct / indirect lighting:
- Direct lighting projects light straight onto the area to be illuminated.
- Indirect lighting diffuses light via a reflective surface (ceiling, wall), creating a softer, more even atmosphere.
Uniform lighting: Even distribution of light within a space, without strong contrasts or disruptive shadowed areas, promoting visual comfort.
Dimmer: A device that allows light intensity to be adjusted according to use, time of day, or user preferences.
Photometric calculation: A technical simulation used to anticipate how light behaves in a space (illumination levels, distribution, shadow areas) before implementation.
CRI – Color Rendering Index: An indicator measuring a light source’s ability to faithfully render colors compared to natural light (CRI 100). The higher the CRI, the more accurate and natural colors appear.
Narrow beam / wide beam: A narrow beam concentrates light on a specific point to highlight an element. A wide beam spreads light over a broader area.

Credits