Lung Light: New Children’s Museum

One of the newest attractions at the New Children’s Museum in San Diego, the Lung Light installation will entertain all who lay there eyes upon it

At the New Children’s Museum in downtown San Diego, there are all sorts of attractions and experiences. One of these innovative attractions is the lung light created by artist Wes Bruce. A LED installation that combines art and technology, this lighting sequence gradually dims and brightens like a slow breath, creating a calming environment.

As the company that worked with Wes Bryce, Bikeshop Agency’s proficiency in electronics helped Bruce bring his vision to life. We used a variety of techniques and devices to make the exhibit the best it could be. One of the most important aspects of the installation were the LEDs which needed to look seamless and flicker-free. To do this, we used a high-resolution dimming approach using an Arduino controller configured with a 2048-step PWM range—a substantial improvement over the standard 8-bit (0–255) resolution. Using this technology made it so that the transitions were smooth, as was the dimming gradient. To make certain the dimming was the smoothest it could be, We applied an exponential dimming curve to mimic natural brightness perception, enabling more nuanced low-end control. Each LED ring was controlled by its own constant-voltage dimmer, ensuring stable and independent regulation across the multiple loops.

All of these aspects working together made the LED’s visually appealing and immersive.

To combat voltage drop and ensure even brightness throughout each loop, we implemented multiple power injection points soldered directly to the flexible COB (chip-on-board) LED strips. This prevented uneven dimming or brightness falloff, a common issue in large or high-density LED circuits.

Another aspect of this installation we focused on to ensure the best possible product was the type of LED used. Instead of relying on colored LEDs, we chose high-CRI warm white LEDs to maintain color consistency and allow for fine-tuned visual effects. The color gradient—ranging from warm amber to deep orange—was achieved using custom-cut layers of theatrical lighting gel, applied in 0 to 4 stacked layers within the aluminum channels that both house and diffuse the LED strips. This layering approach allowed us to simulate a progressive orange gradient across each ring without compromising LED performance or heat dissipation.

The result is a system that looks organic and luminous, with buttery-smooth dimming, no flicker, and a rich gradient of warm hues—all housed in a sleek aluminum profile that enhances the aesthetic while serving as a functional heatsink and light diffuser. Bikeshop Agency's priority is to make sure every aspect of our installations are of the highest quality. Customers who come to this exhibit will experience the best possible version of it chock full of cutting edge technology.