INTRODUCTION

Whether to witness a presentation, come to an agreement, execute a plan or collect and otherwise exchange information, the business meeting is fundamentally a process of communication. The rise of convenient, low-cost video technology has vastly increased the effectiveness of long-distance business interchange via the videoconference. Videoconferencing reduces the need to locate people in the same room, saving time and money. Essentially, it is an advancement over the telephone conference call, lending the ability to read facial cues and view all manner of visual materials.

A videoconferencing space is any facility where audio- and video-based two-way communication occurs between a local and remote site(s). This incorporates verbal communication supported by live visual images, as well as the transfer and display of supporting information and data such as documents, spreadsheets, images and other multimedia program materials.

The fundamental goal for these environments is to facilitate good communication, both verbal and nonverbal. The video image is part of this dialog, requiring that lighting designers recognize the video camera as a member of the meeting group. A successful videoconferencing space balances the needs of the participants with those of the camera. By understanding the role of room surfaces and adapting photographic and broadcast techniques, traditional lighting design can be modified to simultaneously deliver visual comfort, facilitate group interaction and produce high quality video images for remote participants.

This Design Guide addresses the technical and practical requirements for lighting small- to medium-sized, single-camera videoconference spaces used by ten to twenty participants. Fundamental concepts are accompanied by recommendations that will assist practitioners to configure and specify appropriate lighting systems in the presence of architectural and technical requirements specific to videoconferencing projects. It is not the intent of this Guide to provide cookie-cutter solutions.

This Design Guide is written with lighting and design professionals in mind. However, due to the unique and somewhat unforgiving nature of these spaces, the full input of a lighting professional as part of a multidisciplinary design team is strongly recommended. Other individuals should find the following information useful and informative.