How atmospheric interior design can be achieved with lighting alone

Lighting is more than just brightness. It shapes spaces, lends depth to materials, creates atmosphere – and can even enable people to design their own environment. Axel Meise, founder and chief designer of Occhio, talks about the sensual interplay of technology, design, and emotion.

At a time when comfort, atmosphere, and individual quality of life are becoming increasingly important, an often underestimated dimension is coming into focus: light. It is not merely functional – it is also emotional. It changes what we see. And how we feel. For Axel Meise, light is much more than technology – it is a design element and a form of expression. His company, Occhio, is synonymous with a new culture of light. The brand combines sophisticated design with innovative lighting technology and offers modular lighting systems for both private and public spaces. In this interview, he talks about his vision of a lighting culture that brings together design, technology, and emotion.

Axel Meise: lighting designer or magician?

When Axel Meise talks about light, it doesn’t sound like a list of standards or wattage figures. It sounds like fascination, responsibility – and definitely poetry. For over two decades, the Munich-based visionary has been shaping the way people experience light with Occhio – in living spaces, restaurants, offices, yachts, and showrooms. He is not concerned with individual llight fixtures, but with the big picture: tools for creating atmosphere, scenes, and sensual spatial experiences. During our chat, Meise emphasises: ​‘The exciting thing about light is the magic it unfolds in a room. It is always fascinating to see how moods change when the lighting changes.’

The power of light

The effect of light is closely related to its surroundings. According to Meise, what we see is nothing more than reflected light. Without light, there is no colour, no texture, no depth. Whether wood, stone, or textiles – light has the power to bring everything to life, or cause it to lose its impact.

The colour rendering index (CRI) is particularly important here: ​‘A poor CRI can destroy even the most beautiful interior,’ says Meise. At Occhio, this is between 95 and 97 – close to sunlight. Combined with controllable colour temperatures, this creates individually adjustable lighting moods – for every time of day and every atmosphere.

But design alone is not enough. ​‘A beautiful light fixture is not enough,’ says Meise. Occhio pursues a holistic approach that combines lighting design, intuitive control, and emotional impact – from private homes to high-end restaurants. Consultation is provided via stores, partners, or directly on site. The decisive factor is always that the light must speak to people – as a tangible quality.

Atmospheric lighting: an interplay of warmth, shadows and feelings

Atmospheric lighting is not a contemporary phenomenon, but an ancient human need, explains Meise. ​‘From campfires to incandescent bulbs – warm light has always been important.’ Early LEDs provided cooler light, but with today’s technology, the lighting mood can be readjusted – dimmable, changeable, personal. Occhio brings this versatility to life: almost all products can be controlled via app, gesture, or using preset scenes. Light thus becomes an intuitive tool for everyday use – and an extension of one’s own mood. Instead of uniform brightness, Meise advocates targeted lighting design: islands of light, deliberate dark zones, exciting transitions. ​‘Light needs shadow’ is one of his basic rules. Only then can atmosphere be created.

Light quality meets quality of life

The focus is always on the experience. ​‘Good light is noticeable. It changes how rooms feel – and how we feel in them.’ That’s why Occhio is not just about technology, but also about attitude. There are many examples of this. For example, in the three-star restaurant Tohru in Munich, where Occhio’s lens technology specifically highlights the dishes. Or in the Casa de la Luz in Mallorca – an Occhio show house that demonstrates how light can permeate an entire building. The concept is even deployed on yachts – where people take the experience from their living environments with them when they travel. What all these projects have in common is that they show how light can become a stage for life. And how strongly it shapes our perception – day after day, scene after scene.

Don’t miss a thing — we’ll keep you up to date!

Sign up for our newsletter.