The ability to see clearly has been an ancestral need for all living beings, from the smallest microorganisms to the largest mammals. Sight is an essential sense that helps living beings navigate their environment, find food, and avoid danger. Light has the power to illuminate and bring clarity to the world, both literally and metaphorically.

Indeed, humans have been fascinated by creating light for thousands of years, from the discovery of fire to the development of electric lighting.

As society has progressed, so has the technology surrounding lighting, with the invention of light bulbs, LED lights, and intelligent lighting systems.

This fascination with light has led to a greater understanding of its importance in our daily lives, from the practical applications of lighting our homes and workplaces to the aesthetic appeal of lighting in architecture and art.

As we continue to advance our lighting technologies, we may discover new ways to improve our well-being and positively impact the environment.

At Homa, we are fascinated by light, so we have decided to pay special attention to light when we design a refrigerator. Light for us rhymes with design.

Furthermore, in 2023, design and lighting will again be celebrated during Euroluce at the Salone del Mobile/Design Week in Milan (we discussed Salone del Mobile with Maria Porro in this post).

Therefore, lighting and its application in design will be a trending topic in the coming months.

To begin exploring the relationship between lighting and refrigeration, we decided to interview Federico Rebaudo, who, in addition to being the General Manager of Homa Europe, is also the point of reference and ambassador for design in Homa and is responsible for managing the relationships between Homa and the design houses (on this topic enjoy the talk with Umberto Palermo) that support us in creating products that are always up to date with the latest trends.

Q: Why is lighting inside a modern household refrigerator essential?
Federico Rebaudo: Lighting inside a refrigerator is crucial to its functionality and overall user experience. It helps users quickly find the needed items, improving overall efficiency and reducing food waste. Additionally, it can contribute to food safety by making it easier to spot any signs of spoilage or contamination.

Q: In your opinion, how important is light design in refrigerators, and what impact does it have on the overall user experience?
Federico Rebaudo: Light design in refrigerators is critical, directly impacting the user experience. The lighting system in a refrigerator serves multiple purposes, including illuminating the interior, highlighting the contents, and creating an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere. A well-designed lighting system can make it easier for users to find what they're looking for and can even help to prolong the shelf life of certain products. The proper lighting makes a refrigerator more visually appealing. Overall, light design plays a crucial role in a refrigerator's comprehensive functionality and appeal, and designers need to consider it during the design process.

Freezer Area Enlightenment

Q: Can you give an example of a design change implemented to improve the user experience of refrigerator lighting?
Federico Rebaudo: The positioning of lighting inside a refrigerator is crucial for its usability. Poorly positioned lights can cast shadows or make it difficult to see items in the fridge. By strategically placing the lights in commonly used areas, such as shelves or drawers, users can quickly and easily find what they need without moving items around or searching. One example of a design change implemented to improve the user experience of refrigerator lighting is our new four doors platform that uses multiple lighting sources inside the fridge. Positioning the lights in various locations throughout the interior makes it easier for users to find what they need without casting shadows. This approach can improve the overall visibility of the fridge's contents and create a more even and consistent lighting experience.

Homa XL Sky LED Optimal lightening system

Q: How has using LED lights impacted the aesthetics of refrigerator lighting systems?
Federico Rebaudo: The use of LED lights has positively impacted the aesthetics of refrigerator lighting systems. LED lights can be designed to emit a range of colours and hues, which can help create an atmosphere that is visually appealing and functional. Additionally, LED lights can highlight specific areas of the refrigerator, such as the vegetable drawer or the freezer, making it easier for users to find what they want. This has allowed designers to create refrigerators with more complex and exciting lighting systems that can enhance the overall user experience.

Q: How important is it to consider user feedback when designing the lighting system inside a refrigerator?
Federico Rebaudo: Design and usability studies can provide insights into how users interact with the lighting inside a refrigerator and how it can be improved to enhance the overall user experience. These studies can involve observing user behaviour, collecting feedback and analysing data to identify areas for improvement. Manufacturers can use these insights to make informed decisions about the lighting system's placement, colour, and brightness. User feedback is crucial when designing the lighting system inside a refrigerator. By gathering consumer feedback, we gain valuable insights into what must be fixed with the current design. This information can improve the user experience and make the appliance more appealing to potential buyers. Ultimately, the success of the lighting system will depend on how well it meets the needs and preferences of the users.

Q: What is the role of designers and R&D teams in developing the lighting system for cooling appliances?
Federico Rebaudo: Designers and R&D teams work together to create a lighting system that is visually appealing, functional and energy efficient. Designers focus on the aesthetics and usability of the lighting, while R&D teams work on developing the technology that makes it possible to deliver the desired lighting experience. These teams, briefed by marketing and exploiting user feedback, create a lighting system that meets the consumer's functional and aesthetic needs by working together.

Backside Ambient Soft light Bars

Q: How do designers and R&D teams collaborate to ensure that the lighting system meets the consumer's needs?
Federico Rebaudo: Designers and R&D teams collaborate through various stages of the product development process, including brainstorming, prototyping, and testing. By sharing their expertise and ideas, these teams can create a lighting system that meets the needs and preferences of the target market. They also ensure that the lighting system is cost-effective and sustainable while delivering a high-quality user experience.

Q: What are some challenges designers and R&D teams face when developing lighting systems for cooling appliances?
Federico Rebaudo: Some challenges designers and R&D teams face when developing lighting systems for cooling appliances include durability and compatibility with the cooling system. Additionally, the lighting system must be safe and reliable for use in a high-moisture and low-temperature environment. Designers and R&D teams work together to create a lighting system that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing while meeting all these technical requirements.

Homa XL Sky LED Optimal lightening system

Q: How can technology advancements impact the design and development of lighting systems for cooling appliances?
Federico Rebaudo: Technology advancements can impact the design and development of lighting systems for cooling appliances in several ways. We can use new materials and manufacturing techniques to create lighting systems that are more efficient, durable and visually appealing to enhance the user experience.

Q: What impact has the shift to LED lights had on the cost of manufacturing refrigerators?
Federico Rebaudo: LED lights are widely available nowadays, making them a cost-effective option for manufacturers. LED lights have a longer lifespan than traditional lighting technologies, which means they last longer and require less maintenance. This reduces the need for replacement parts and helps ensure the lighting system remains functional and reliable for the whole refrigerator life cycle.

Q: Is a specific light colour recommended for the lighting inside a refrigerator?
Federico Rebaudo: Yes, a cool white or daylight-coloured light is typically recommended for the interior of a refrigerator. This colour temperature is bright and clean, making it easy to see the fridge's contents. It also has a more neutral colour, which can help accurately represent the food's true colours.

Q: How important is the lumen output of the lighting inside a refrigerator?
Federico Rebaudo: The lumen output of the lighting inside a refrigerator is crucial for ensuring that the interior is well-lit and easy to see. Typically, a lumen output of around 200 lumens is recommended for refrigerator lighting, and this brightness level is suitable for illuminating the fridge's contents without being overly bright and wasting energy.

Q: Finally, how do you see lighting inside a refrigerator contributing to sustainability and energy efficiency?
Federico Rebaudo: LED lights use less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, which can help to reduce energy bills and minimise the environmental impact of household appliances. Manufacturers can use LED lighting to make refrigerators more energy-efficient without compromising functionality or style.

Copyright HOMA 2022- Issued By Homa Marketing dept. on October 2022
For further information, please contact: info@homaeurope.eu