A device (50) with modal lighting includes a translucent layer (74); a first light source (60) operative to project light (94) through the translucent layer (74); and a second light source (65b) operative to project light (93) through the translucent layer (74). The first light source (60) prevents light (91) projected from the second light source (65b) from entering a portion (74a) of the translucent layer. A method (250) for modal lighting in a device includes projecting light by a first light source through a translucent layer (260); projecting light by a second light source through the translucent layer (270); and preventing, by the first light source light, projected by the second light source from entering a portion of the translucent layer (280).