1072 I E S LIGHTING HANDBOOK

FIG. 10-49. Directional, departmental, and advertising signs.

General lighting. High-level general illumination usually is the first
requirement in show windows. However, in large prestige-type stores
dramatic accents sometimes are considered more important. Often a
window is illuminated to compete at night with other neighborhood light-
ing, or to display merchandise successfully under adverse daytime condi-
tions created by window-glass reflections of sky brightness or other
daylighted areas.
Accent lighting. Emphasis or accent lighting is provided by individual
spotlights which sometimes are used with dramatic effect, even without
general diffuse lighting.
Supplementary lighting. In certain types of windows, footlights are
desirable because of the difficulty of projecting light to the face or the
merchandise (which the pedestrian sees) from luminaires located directly
above. Footlights are effective also when a geometrical disposition of the
glass to eliminate reflections caused by daylight-created brightness is
desirable, and overhead lighting is difficult to use effectively without creat-
ing reflected glare.
Because a show window has the prominence of a stage and compares with
it as a center of attraction, lighting equipment should be located carefully
so as not to create glare. A luminaire should not attract attention to
itself. The common concealment techniques (valances, flush and recessed
mounting, and louvers) provide satisfactory results when planned for all
angles of viewing. Normally, there is no need to protect from glare at the
back of the window.
Open fronts. With open-front windows in particular, and with other
types also, the window orientation with respect to sunlight and skylight is