Thesis
ILLUMINATING CULTURE: THE EMOTIONAL AND PERCEPTUAL IMPACT OF MUSEUM LIGHTING IN A VIRTUAL EGYPTIAN EXHIBITION
Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
2026
Abstract
This study examines how lighting distribution influences emotional response, perceptual experience, and cultural interpretation within an Egyptian museum exhibition environment. While previous research has focused on technical aspects of lighting such as brightness and color temperature, less attention has been given to how the spatial distribution of light, through direction, contrast, and emphasis, shapes visitor experience. To address this gap, a controlled experimental study was conducted using a virtual reality exhibition. Twenty-five participants experienced three lighting conditions: uniform ambient, balanced directional, and high-contrast accent lighting. Emotional responses were measured using the Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM), alongside qualitative feedback capturing participants’ perceptions and interpretations.
Results indicate that lighting distribution significantly influences both perceptual and emotional experience. Significant effects were found for brightness (p < .001), mood (p = .005), and pleasure (p = .049), while no significant differences were observed for arousal or dominance. The high-contrast lighting condition produced the most engaging responses, with participants describing it as more immersive, dramatic, and appropriate for the exhibition context. Participants also associated this condition with a stronger sense of cultural authenticity, suggesting that lighting can reinforce interpretive meaning. Overall, the findings demonstrate that lighting distribution functions as both an emotional and perceptual design variable, shaping attention, atmosphere, and cultural interpretation. This study highlights the importance of lighting as an experiential component of exhibition design.
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Details
- Title
- ILLUMINATING CULTURE: THE EMOTIONAL AND PERCEPTUAL IMPACT OF MUSEUM LIGHTING IN A VIRTUAL EGYPTIAN EXHIBITION
- Creators
- Tendaishe Mugaviri
- Contributors
- Alana Pulay (Advisor)Ryan Hardesty (Committee Member)Carrie Vielle (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- School of Design and Construction
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 69
- Identifiers
- 99901393406101842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis