Trisha Bhardwaj, Chief Curator at Blink Box Studio Pvt Ltd, shares her insights on the studio’s expertise in crafting innovative lighting solutions and her views on the evolving world of smart lighting. At Blink Box Studio, lighting goes beyond mere illumination—it’s a means of self-expression that transforms spaces. By collaborating with creative visionaries, the studio pushes design boundaries from concept to installation, offering unique, story-driven lighting solutions. Committed to sustainability, Blink Box Studio blends materials and light while minimizing waste and maximizing energy efficiency.
Can you take our readers through your journey so far?
With over two decades of experience in the lighting industry, spanning more than 2,000 projects in various roles including sales, marketing, product development, education, and wellbeing, this journey has been both enriching and transformative. Having worked with renowned brands like Philips, Regent, Genlyte (Philips-owned in the USA), and SIMES from Italy, the expertise gained has been vast and varied.
Now leading a group of diversified companies, the focus ranges from selling premium European brand lights to owning a ‘Make in India’ manufacturing setup in Mumbai, where the innovative concept of “Be Your Own Lighting Chef” allows clients to choose from 21 different materials. This initiative blends creativity with customization. Additionally, the commitment to health and wellbeing is evident through offering Photo Bio Modulation Therapy for treating conditions like migraines, insomnia and muscular atrophies.
The journey from a salesperson to becoming an IWBI Faculty, Advisory Board member, Circular Economy expert, patent holder, author, educationist, and entrepreneur has been both beautiful and challenging, contributing to an authentic blend of technical knowledge and commercial acumen.
Could you highlight some landmark projects that have been turning points in your career, particularly in experimenting with new lighting techniques or introducing innovative concepts?
At Pangea3, Infosys – Pune, BOA, CNBC, and D P Analytics, our projects are crafted to explore the dynamic fusion of art and technology. By blending creative vision with advanced lighting techniques, we push the boundaries of what’s possible, transforming spaces with installations that do more than just illuminate—they tell stories and evoke powerful emotions. Each project is a unique experiment, where we strive to redefine lighting design, delivering solutions that are both functional and deeply inspiring.
What do you consider the biggest innovation in the lighting sector, and how has it revolutionized the industry?
For nearly 200 years, artificial light was a luxury experienced by only a select few populations. It’s been around 100 years since people in urban, suburban, and some rural areas began to experience artificial lighting. Over this century, lighting technology has evolved dramatically, transitioning from incandescent lamps to IRC, mercury vapor, metal halide, and now, LEDs. Among the most significant innovations have been the incandescent lamp, followed by fluorescent lamps, metal halides, and today, the cutting-edge LED technology.
As a Lighting Designer, which lighting control brands do you prefer?
Lutron, Casambi and Crestron
What are your views on the smart lighting industry? In your opinion, in which sector (hospitality, commercial, residential) is traditional lighting being rapidly replaced by smart lighting?
In interior design, decorative lighting transcends simple illumination. The psychology behind it is a captivating field that reveals how lighting can influence our emotions, behaviors, and overall well-being. To achieve the desired effects, both physiological and psychological, it’s crucial to use lighting controls effectively. This ensures that the aesthetic and lighting design can profoundly impact our mental and emotional states. Additionally, the smart application of lighting systems not only enhances the benefits of a smart home but also supports the circular economy by utilizing fewer components compared to conventional lighting solutions.
How do you foresee the Smart Lighting Industry evolving over the next five years in India?
Smart home start from the smart concept and the occupants… In the next five years, I expect the smart lighting industry in India to grow rapidly, fuelled by innovations in IoT and AI, along with a rising preference for energy-efficient solutions. As people become more conscious of sustainability and energy savings, smart lighting will play an important role in reducing energy consumption and making homes and businesses greener.
The future of lighting will likely feature smarter, more intuitive systems that adapt to user preferences, adjust automatically, and integrate effortlessly with other devices. With increasing government support for energy efficiency and smart infrastructure, these technologies are set to become more affordable and widely available. In the near future, smart lighting could be a standard feature in homes, offices, and public spaces, creating more connected and personalized environments.
Human Centric Lighting (HCL) is an emerging trend focused on health and mental wellness. What are your thoughts on this?
I always begin discussions on lighting with my tagline: “Light is the governor of the universe and the hormones; let’s use it, not abuse it.” It’s time for people to start demanding healthy lighting rather than merely smart lighting. Unfortunately, the term “smart lighting” is often misused, deviating from its true potential. While there is a wealth of research, blogs, case studies, and solutions examining the physiological and psychological impacts of light, these insights are rarely applied by architects, interior designers, end users, and even the lighting industry—except for a few pioneers.
The relationship between physiology and light is fascinating and undeniable. It’s an area that can’t be ignored or criticized without understanding its profound effects. I’m committed to educating others on this, backed by my own research, blogs, books, videos, and presentations. However, the notion that a single “explicit technique” for human-bio favorable lighting can universally apply to everyone is unrealistic, due to the vast differences in age, genetics, environment, individual physiology, habits, and behavioral patterns.
That said, there are ways to use visible and non-visible light waves appropriately to balance homeostasis. Unfortunately, light is often taken for granted, and instead of using it wisely, we end up abusing it.
Can you share your perspective on the user experience with IoT and AI automation systems in relation to the future of Smart Lighting?
There is a mix of experience as it varies from person to person, system to system and type of lighting and the spaces. The future of smart lighting is being shaped by the convergence of IoT and AI, creating a new era of intelligent and adaptive lighting systems. With IoT connectivity, smart lights can now communicate seamlessly with other devices, enabling a cohesive and integrated environment. AI further elevates this experience by understanding behaviours, predicting needs, and optimizing energy use in real time.
This integration transforms smart lighting from a basic utility into an intuitive, user-focused experience. It not only offers greater convenience and energy efficiency but also enhances well-being by adapting to users’ natural rhythms and preferences. Looking ahead, smart lighting will play a key role in shaping connected homes and workplaces, providing personalised lighting scenarios that respond dynamically to both user actions and external conditions.
What are your views on the LED revolution and lighting control? What are the latest trends in lighting systems and controls?
The LED revolution has transformed the lighting landscape in just the past 15 years, driving significant business growth and expanding our capabilities in lighting usage. However, despite these advancements, there remains a lack of awareness regarding the potential adverse effects of LED lights. The improper use and lack of understanding of key parameters have raised concerns about their impact on both physiological and psychological health.
Lighting control has become essential to meet the dynamic expectations of end users. It offers ease of control, simplifies assessment, and reduces the reliance on traditional switch-based systems, helping to minimize waste and the environmental impact of landfill-bound components.
How important is collaboration with a system integrator during a lighting project?
As a lighting manufacturer and enthusiast, collaborating with a system integrator is essential for the success of any lighting project. System integrators offer a comprehensive approach, ensuring that lighting, automation, and building systems work harmoniously together. This collaboration guarantees seamless integration with other systems such as HVAC, security, and smart controls, enhancing the overall user experience, improving energy efficiency, and meeting both technical and aesthetic goals.
By partnering with a system integrator, I can ensure that our lighting solutions perform optimally within the larger system, fully addressing client needs while providing long-term value. Their expertise in integrating diverse technologies allows us to identify potential challenges early, ensuring a smoother installation process and a successful project outcome.
What is your future vision for your company?
At Blink Box Studio, our vision is to lead the global lighting industry with a truly bespoke experience, centered around the innovative concept of “Be Your Own Lighting Chef.” We aim to empower our clients to design personalized lighting solutions that combine creativity with functional excellence. Our mission is to create installations that not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of any space but also push design boundaries by seamlessly integrating a variety of materials, forms, and textures.
Looking ahead, we are committed to exploring new horizons in lighting design, constantly experimenting with cutting-edge technologies, sustainable materials, and artisanal craftsmanship. Our goal is to produce installations that are visually captivating while resonating deeply with the emotional and experiential needs of the environments they occupy. We strive to elevate the lighting industry by blending artistry with functionality, delivering solutions that cater to both individual preferences and environmental sustainability.
