How LEDs Helped Dubai Become the World’s Fastest Growing City

The saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” but the United Arab Emirates city of Dubai just may prove the opposite. Since the city’s decision to expand its economic scope beyond the oil industry in 2003, Dubai has experienced what some are calling an unprecedented boom. From tourism and international business to population and property development, Dubai is growing faster than Jack’s beanstalk.

Erinn Bone works for Alem International Management, a US-based event production company that organizes large-scale events of all types. In his sixteen year tenure with Alem, Bone has been a part of the team responsible for the logistical movement of the Olympic flame for the torch relays of 1996, 2002 and 2004, as well as the the 2007 Pan American Games in Brazil. The Alem team has also hosted events for international guests of the Dubai World Cup since 2010.

Bone recently returned from the March, 2013 Dubai World Cup which, at $10 million, boasts the biggest purse of any horse race in the world, and he took a minute to discuss how and why LED lights are playing a role in Dubai’s exponential growth.

“In an effort to draw in tourism and international business, Dubai is positioning itself as one of the most architecturally and culturally cutting edge places on the planet; that becomes apparent when you look at the stunning skyline that surrounds you when you’re there,” he says. “LED lights are incorporated into almost every landmark building in the city.”

Bone notes that unlike cities with older architecture, many of Dubai’s buildings were conceived and built with LED lighting as an integrated part of their design. “In older architecture, you can retrofit the buildings to use LED lights, but the structure of many of Dubai’s buildings were designed around the dynamic displays that only LED lights are capable of. The results are mind-blowing, and play a key role in defining the aesthetic that makes Dubai what it is today.”

Following are some of Bone’s favorite architectural sightings in Dubai, and some of his own photos.

Burj Al Arab

The infamous “sail” hotel uses color-changing LED lights along its outer lines as well as throughout its interior panels, and is an unmistakable park of the horizon.

Burj Khalifa

The tallest building in the world (2,722 ft) uses RGB LED lights and programmable LED wall washers to create stunning effects on the outside of the building, and is the most recognizable structure on the Dubai skyline.

Dubai International Airport

The Dubai airport is peppered with LED light displays, from the ceilings to the stairs and walkways. “The airport is the world’s first impression of Dubai, and designers have definitely takes advantage of all LED technology has to offer to make sure it’s a good one,” says Bone.

“Dubai represents one of the contemporary architectural wonders of the world,” says Bone, “and LED lights are a huge part of that.”

Artist James Peterson on Sessilanoid and LED DIY for Newbies

James Peterson doesn’t want you to just look at his art, he wants you to experience it.  “I want people to have a respite of intrigue and joy, to tap into their inner child, that sweet naïve place where it’s okay to be in awe and just enjoy something,” he says. Thanks in part to color-changing LEDs, the LA-based Peterson’s latest piece, Sessilanoid, undoubtedly achieves this infectious sense of wonder. In Sessilanoid, Peterson used RGB LED strip lights to illuminate an array of translucent, sculptural wall hangings that “mimic the growth patterns of a life form to abstractly represent barnacles,” he says. LED strip lights behind the molded forms respond to a grid of buttons; new color patterns emanate out from the central form and connect to other pieces when participants push the buttons.

Though there is an environmental message behind Sessilanoid, Peterson’s first priority is to get people smiling and talking. “I like to create situations where strangers meet and things are naturally intuitive. The core of everything is enjoyment and conversation between the people interacting with it,” he says.

Peterson believes that art creates a unique environment in which viewers are more apt to initiate and be receptive to discussion. “It gives me the opportunity to share what inspires me without forcing it down their throat,” he says. “I think if you make something beautiful and compelling, people naturally want to ask questions about why you did it, how you did it and the technology behind it.”

Fittingly, technology is a big part of what makes Sessilanoid so effective. “I used LED lights in this piece because I needed something that was low voltage, didn’t get hot and was dynamic and easy to work with,” says Peterson. Though Peterson used a fairly complicated system to create his lighting application, he believes advances in LED technology are making it possible for beginners to experiment with LEDs in similar ways. “I had the luxury of using an architectural lighting component system to run RGB through a DMX controller. It was very versatile and very intuitive and that’s part of why LED is so interesting: it’s dynamic, creates low carbon emissions, is more approachable and is becoming less tech-heavy every day,” he says.

For beginners looking to create custom lighting applications, Peterson recommends beginning with accessible technology. “Arduino platforms are a great place to start. You’re limited to how much material you can push through the system and how flexible you can be, but you can always grow into a more elaborate system once you learn the basics,” he says.

Sessilanoid was recently accepted into Art Basel, the premier international art show for contemporary and modern works, and will be showing at both the Switzerland and Miami exhibitions. If you can’t make it to either of those, watch the piece in action here, and consider helping Peterson raise funds to transport his piece to Art Basal on his Indigogo page.

BMW District Manager Ryan Bone On the LED Motorcycle Trend

Whether you’re a novice rider or a patch holder in the local Mother Club, you can’t deny that LED lights are making waves in the motorcycle industry. Thanks to both technological innovations as well as decorative appeal, designers and DIY enthusiasts alike are adding LEDs to motorcycles in applications ranging from headlights to ground effects. For those of us who live in the United States, we’ve only experienced the tip of the iceberg, since government regulations have kept many LED advances under wraps on American soil. “Some of the brightest new technology for vehicles involves lighting, such as high-intensity LED headlights, but lagging regulatory approval is leaving U.S. drivers in the dark,” says a USA Today article published last month.

But not all is lost. 12V LED lights have never been easier to install, which means you can take matters into your own hands and pimp your ride in a few easy steps. To discuss motorcycle lighting trends, as well as some very interesting developments in the DIY sector, I spoke with Ryan Bone, the central district sales manager for BMW’s motorcycle division.



Aside from a few exceptions, BMW is prohibited from manufacturing stock motorcycles that incorporate LED headlights and turn signals. “BMW just came out with the 2013 R1200 GS water-cooled bike two months ago, which offers an LED headlight option for the first time ever on any motorcycle,” says Bone. “The main reason we can’t sell LEDs on most motorcycles is that the US Department of Transportation has certain stipulations regarding how much surface area a particular headlight needs to have in order to be compliant in the US,” he explains. These regulations also apply to decorative LED lights, and for that reason, Bone asserts that custom lighting applications for motorcycles are a growing DIY trend, especially in the sport bike segment. “The sport bike demographic is very interested in any customization that will set their bike apart from a factory motorcycle: graphics, colors, lighting, wind screens and ground effects to name a few,” says Bone. And when it comes to lighting, Bone finds that the benefits of LED technology far surpass other lighting options.

–“In terms of headlights, LEDs are great because the color spectrum they emit is similar to sunlight, so it’s less tiring on the eyes at night. Riders have better reaction time and increased safety when riding at night with less fatigue on their eyes,” says Bone. “Also, the light is projected through a glass lens, which creates fewer color fringes.”

–“LED lights run forever, while halogens have to be replaced fairly often,” says Bone.

–“LED lights allow for more design capabilities. The standard halogen you can only put in one configuration, while LEDs you can put in any configuration. They allow for more creativity from a manufacturing and design standpoint,” says Bone.

Indeed, Elemental LED’s waterproof, low voltage strip lights allow for all types of decorative lighting effects, and maximum creative freedom. Use the waterproof color-changing LED strip light, a compact RGB color controller and a portable 12V power supply, for instance, to create stunning, high density ground effects underneath your bike in an array of colors. You can use the same fixtures as accent lights, or around your speakers to highlight your sound system. While some DIY lighting installers use the motorcycle’s own 12V battery to power accent lighting, many do not recommend this, as the large surge of power that the engine battery creates might short-circuit the lights. Using a small, portable and rechargeable battery to power your lights is a safer option.

Be sure to check your state laws before installing LED lights on your motorcycle, however. Though many motorcyclists feel that decorative lights actually keep them safer and more visible to other drivers and riders, “Some states argue that these [kinds of] modifications are distracting and lead to accidents. Others are concerned that, depending upon the color and placement of the LEDs, the lights could cause conventional vehicles to be confused with public safety vehicles at night. Most states have laws prohibiting the use of flashing, spinning, or stroboscopic lighting. Some states prohibit the use of specific colors of lights, such as blue, whether they flash or are lit continuously. All states generally prohibit the use of red lights anywhere except the rear of the vehicle.” (Via LED inside.)

Have you already pimped your ride? Be sure to send us pictures and let us know how the project turned out. Until then, happy riding everyone!

Color-Changing LED Lights Help Restaurant Thrive in Los Angeles

Link-n-Hops is a locally owned LA restaurant founded on a delicious concept: gourmet sausages (with plenty of vegetarian options) paired with hand crafted beers from around the world. The menu is relatively simple: you pick your sausage, toppings, order some fries and a brew to match, and you’re pretty much done. With such a simple idea and a struggling restaurant industry, one might think Link-n-Hops is doomed. But on a recent visit there I realized it’s just the opposite. The place is always packed, and for good reason: it’s affordable, tasty and hip without being snobby.

One thing that helps to achieve this aesthetic are the color-changing LED strip lights installed on the wall that holds the beer taps. The lights provide a welcome, contemporary pop of color in an establishment that otherwise boasts an “industrial-chic” vibe: exposed brick, chalkboard paint, and high, distressed wood beam ceilings. “These under cabinet lights have served us really well,” says the owner of Link-n-Hops, Andy Hasroun. “They were easy to install and change color by pressing a button. That comes in handy on big nights when we have a street fair or something going on outside.”

The lights also help to highlight the array of taps behind the bar, emphasizing the restaurant’s simple but effective business model. “They’re low voltage, so they add a lot of pizzazz without being expensive,” adds Hasroun.

“Atwater has changed a lot over the last seven years, and we’re proud to be a part of its revitalization,” Hasroun says of the small, East LA community in which Link-n-Hops, and Hasroun’s other business, 55 Degree Wine, are located. And judging by the public’s response, I’d say they’re pretty happy to have him, too.

If you want to revamp or beautify your small business like Hasroun, be sure to check our Elemental LED’s selection of color changing strip lights.

How To Enhance Your Home Art Displays with LED Lights

I recently went to the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art (LACMA) to check out the Stanley Kubrick exhibit. Anyone who has enjoyed a Kubrick film knows that the iconic director had an knack for blending flawless composition, impeccable writing and darkly twisted storylines into some of the most important cinematic tales of our time. I wondered if a museum exhibit could do a master like Kubrick justice, and was pleasantly surprised to find out that it did.

The show features props, re-worked scripts, letters, costumes and never-before-seen artifacts from nearly all of Kubrick’s pictures, seamlessly guiding spectators through his portfolio of work, honoring each motion picture with a space that encapsulates the feel and message of the corresponding film.

LED lighting, both strip lights and overhead module and puck lights, were part of what made the show so successful. The lights were versatile enough to highlight specific parts of each piece, and dynamic enough to create a classically creepy Stanley Kubrick vibe when needed. Also, the LED lights help to protect the artwork since they emit very low heat.

The success of the Kubrick show got me thinking about how we display and present art in our own homes. Lighting plays an especially important role in accentuating artwork and creating the right ambiance for certain pieces of art. Whether you use LED strip lighting on shelves to accent small trinkets, a super bright module light to up-light a large sculpture, or LED light bars over paintings hung on the wall, a few lighting modifications in your home can turn a drab space into a stunning artsy one in no time!

I talked with Amy Turner, Director of Antiques and Estate Auctions at I. M. Chait Gallery and Auctioneers in Beverly Hills, CA to find out how to best light art pieces in the home. Here are her tips:

1)   Avoid direct sunlight: “Never hang a piece near an undressed window or in a place where it can be hit by sunbeams. Nothing damages artwork like UV rays,” says Turner.

2)   Light the piece evenly: “For most flat pieces of art, you will want to avoid shadows to best reveal what the artist was going for. Strip lights or light bars mounted above a flat painting will eliminate shadowing, casting even illumination.”

3)   Minimize glare: “Most framing shops carry museum glass, which creates no glare and cuts UV rays,” advises turner. Using lighting fixtures that create less glare will help as well. For instance, the SOFTVIEW 58 Mist Resist LED Strip Light combines with our Reign Dimmer Switch to create the perfect low-profile lighting solution for shelves and display cabinets. It produces no glare or reflection, and so is great to use against glass-covered art pieces as well.

Revolutionary Strip Light Channels Are Here

We are thrilled to announce our new line of CHROMAPATH™ Aluminum LED Strip Light Channels. Much more than just an enclosure, the CHROMAPATH system takes LED strip light installation into a whole new realm of contemporary lighting design. CHROMAPATH is simple to install, fully customizable and creates a clean professional finish every time. Check out these features available at less than half the price of our previous aluminum strip light channel:

CHROMAPATH LED Strip Light Channels Installed in Kitchen- Sturdy and light-weight matte anodized aluminum housing for a beautiful finished look.
- Most affordable, high quality aluminum strip light channel available.
- Revolutionary new mounting system: Clips literally snap into place for an easy, clean and accurate installation the first time, every time.
- Each channel comes in 4-foot (48-inch) sections that can be cut to the exact length needed.
- Three shapes available for every kind of application: SQUARE, DUO and 45°. (4th shape, SLIM, coming soon).
- New DUO shape fits two parallel runs of strip light. Paired with our VALENT™ high-output strip light, you get nearly 1000 lumens of light output per foot (we challenge you to find something brighter than that).
- 45° shape gives you directional light, perfect for display cases and under cabinet installations.
- Interconnector alignment plugs create seamless end-to-end channel connections.
- Clear or frosted lens covers provide protection and/or light diffusion and can be cut to the exact length needed.
- Fits our entire line of LED strip lights

Each channel includes mounting clips, interconnector plugs and end caps. Lens covers, plus additional mounting clips and end caps can be purchased separately. Learn more about the new CHROMAPATH line and how you can create your own custom LED light fixture today.

Recessed LED Lighting: Product and Installation Ideas

When you’re shopping for LED recessed lighting for cabinets, shelves or accent lighting, you have several options. The form factor and lighting features of each recessed lighting product lends itself to the unique needs of different applications. The compact design of recessed LED lighting means that the light source is invisible, leaving the focus on an area or room, not the lights. Recessed lights can also be easily integrated into new or retrofit construction, which cuts down on time and expense.

Here are a few recessed LED lighting options that you can easily integrate into your home utilizing the LED products in our catalog:

LED Recessed Lighting with Puck For installations where a place to install narrow linear lighting is already present, like in a cove or gap, an LED Strip Light by itself is made to order. About as wide as a pinkie finger and very low profile, LED strip can be easily fixed in place with its own adhesive backing. Strip light provides a long, wide cast of light and is available in a selection of color temperatures and brightness levels that work with any room décor and design style.

LED strip light installed in an Aluminum Channel is another ideal option for a clean, smooth installation of linear lighting. The channel, which can be cut to length, is mounted inside a groove in the underside of a cabinet, shelf or other area in need of light. The groove can be milled out by a contractor or yourself, depending on how comfortable you are with wielding a power tool. After being fitted with a clear or diffused cover, the aluminum channel provides a heat sink for the strip light and protection from dust. LED recessed lighting in this form has a sleek finish that can be hidden from view or be an attractive, visible part of an interior design.

LED Recessed Lighting installation with PuckFor more focused spot lighting, the LED Puck Light is designed for recessed lighting in almost any surface material. Whether lighting under or inside display cases, cabinets or shelves, or in nooks and alcoves, pucks can dramatically light a small area or highlight an object. Puck lights feature spring clips for easy, hardware-free mounting, and also include DC plugs, so they can be plugged in and unplugged easily, and are available in a variety of finishes that coordinate with cabinets and furnishings.

You’ve got several options to choose from when installing recessed LED lighting, and we here at Elemental LED want to help. Call or chat live with one of our product specialists today and we’ll help you figure out which solution is right for your living space.