Communicating lighting-related information using colour and interactive visualisations – a perspective on important aspects and future directions

Visualisations are essential for communicating lighting design and are an elemental part of disseminating lighting-related research. The topic is closely connected to other topics, such as visual perception and cognitive decision-making. Designing visualisations that effectively and transparently communicate often complex data typically requires skills in several areas and is often argued to be both an art and a science. In the increasingly digital world and the continual digitalisation of the Architectural, Engineering and Construction industry, more data are available and needed in the built environment. For example, the concept of smart buildings, which depend on sensors and communication of subsystems to dynamically control various systems and features within the building, is evolving rapidly. Moreover, the availability and development of digital twins are expanding fast. Using real and manipulated images combined with relevant literature, this perspective article aims to raise awareness of a crucial topic and to guide future research. Concentrating on lighting-related data, this article addresses two aspects of information visualisation: using colour to visualise information and creating interactive visualisations.