Demonstrating Metamerism: A Key Concept for Lighting/Color Design Education

The phenomenon of metamerism, where two colors appear identical under one light source but different under another, is a fundamental concept in lighting design. This experiment aimed to provide a tangible demonstration of metamerism for students in lighting design education. A rectangular box was constructed to house two metameric color samples and two distinct light sources: a Philips TL-Mini standard 8W/33-640 fluorescent lamp and a Luxeon star LED. Students observed the color samples through a controlled lighting environment within the box via a viewing aperture. Under one light source, the samples appeared identical, while under the other, they exhibited noticeable differences. Two buttons on the side of the box allowed for independent activation of the light sources. An explanatory card was attached under the box, and a compartment at the back allowed for cable storage during transport.