The invention relates to a light module having a plate-shaped active element (12), and a plate-shaped carrier element (10) comprising a surface (101) on which the active element (12) is arranged. The light module also comprises a transparent light-emitting element (10') that is preferably formed by the carrier element (10). At least part of a surface (102) of the light-emitting element (10') is also furnished with an active or variable optical structure (200). Said structure can comprise, for example, two electrodes and a material therebetween, the shape of the structure (200) changing based on a voltage applied to the electrodes. The optical structure (200) enables the directional distribution of the light generated by the active element (12) to be influenced in a targeted manner. In other words, the emission characteristic can be controlled in a targeted manner. The light module is thus particularly suitable for realizing oriented lighting, e.g. for illuminating objects.