The Dark Side of Light is an interactive website dedicated to light pollution and its effects on the environment, human health, and wildlife. The project aims to raise awareness about the consequences of artificial lighting and to convey complex relationships in a way that is both understandable and engaging. Users can learn about the causes and consequences of light pollution while actively engaging with the topic.
The focus is on interactive tools that allow users, for example, to measure luminance using their smartphone camera or to visualize the actual starry sky via AR. This not only explains the problem but also makes it directly tangible. The website is aimed at a broad audience and is designed to raise awareness of an often underestimated environmental factor.
The project combines digital and analog media. In addition to the website, provocative postcards featuring QR codes were created, as well as stickers placed in public spaces—such as on streetlights—that directly reference the project. Cards containing facts and thought-provoking questions were also designed.
I first researched the topic of light pollution and outlined possible ways to address it.
Using the data I researched and collected, I created infographics with Datawrapper that I would like to embed on the website.
Using a measurement tool, I recorded my own data on-site with my cell phone and compared it.
My final mood board includes analog elements that lead to the website, such as stickers, and postcards. The design is inspired by a classic starry sky.
The website was designed in Figma and built as a mobile version in Webflow. One reason for this was that Webflow allowed integration of custom code.
