Author: Allison Cain | Major: Interior Architecture & Design | Semester: Fall 2024

Allison Cain – Headshot

My honors capstone, From Plate to Perception, explored the role of lighting design in fine dining, fast casual, and fast-food restaurants. Through a series of case studies in Dallas, TX, I analyzed how lighting influences functionality, ambiance, and customer satisfaction. By measuring illuminance and color temperature levels and evaluating lighting fixture types, I revealed how intentional lighting creates unique dining experiences tailored to each restaurant type. This research provides valuable information for restaurant owners, lighting designers, and young designers. It also highlights the significance of thoughtful lighting strategies in influencing customer behavior, shaping perceptions, and aligning with operational goals.
My enthusiasm for this topic comes from my interest with how design shapes human experiences, particularly in restaurant settings. A second-year lighting design course, taught by my capstone mentor, Jake Tucci, sparked my interest in exploring the psychological and functional aspects of lighting design. When it came time to choose a capstone project, I knew I wanted to explore this area further. Jake Tucci provided exceptional guidance, helping me refine my ideas and develop a research plan. His knowledge not only sharpened my technical skills but also encouraged me to think more critically about the broader implications of lighting in design. My other committee members, Gabi Korac and Kelly Ann Way, also played a significant role in helping me create a meaningful project.
This research taught me the specifics of lighting design and its deep impact on interior spaces. I discovered how each restaurant type uses lighting to achieve specific goals: fine dining relies on warm, intimate lighting to encourage longer stays and evoke luxury, fast casual strikes a balance, creating inviting spaces with functional lighting that caters to diverse customer needs, and fast food uses bright, uniform lighting for efficiency and quick turnover. On a personal level, I learned to think critically about design decisions and how they affect both functionality and customer behavior. It made me appreciate the balance between aesthetics and practical needs in design.

One of the biggest challenges I faced was balancing the technical aspects of lighting—such as illuminance measurements and fixture analysis—with the subjective elements, like ambiance and customer perceptions. To overcome this, I combined quantitative tools like light meters with qualitative feedback from restaurant staff and lighting designers. Careful planning and persistence were essential in scheduling restaurant reservations and organizing trips to Dallas in advance. I definitely needed to stay organized and adhere to my schedule to ensure everything stayed on track and aligned with my research timeline.

My mentor, Jake Tucci, and my departmental member, Gabi Korac, played a huge role in improving my research. They not only guided me through the technical aspects of lighting analysis but also encouraged me to consider the broader implications of my work. My nondepartmental member, Kelly Ann Way, brought a new perspective by helping me focus on the customer and employee side of these designs and how the design addressed their needs. This approach allowed me to balance both qualitative and quantitative aspects in my research.

My research involved multiple site visits to Dallas restaurants, where I measured lighting parameters and observed how spaces functioned during peak and off-peak hours. These trips allowed me to see how design decisions translated into real-world applications. Each visit reinforced the importance of context in design, as I found how lighting influenced customer behavior, staff efficiency, and overall ambiance.
This experience has been very impactful not just for my academic growth but also for my understanding of how design changes people’s lives. Lighting is more than functional; it’s a strategic tool for crafting memorable experiences. The beauty of lighting design lies in its ability to subtly yet powerfully shape how we feel and interact within a space. By respecting and building upon proven methods, I’ve learned to honor the connection between lighting, interior space, and human behavior. This project has not only enriched my academic journey but also solidified my commitment to creating meaningful design in my professional career.