BUSINESS TRACK

The Lighting Designer as a Professional
Randy Burkett, FIALD

In this informative session, Randy Burkett, FIALD, discussed tips and tricks to get clients to recognize the value of lighting designers' service. Convincing an architect to work with a lighting designer can be tricky, but if the lighting designer sells himself/herself and explains their educational background and expertise in areas such as day lighting, then the convincing becomes easier. Randy also discussed how to break old habitual questions, such as "We just cannot afford a lighting designer on our projects." After discussing how to address six commonly asked questions about using a lighting designer, Randy explained how lighting designers can improve their businesses. He said lighting designers should have a public relations/marketing strategy, participate in design charettes, and take advantage of the IALD's marketing tools and awards program, among other things. Randy concluded with, "Let your work and experience be the final word."

Managing Employees in Today's Environment
Jennifer Mounce

Jennifer Mounce, SPHR, is the founder of Coach Effect, Inc., a leadership coaching & organizational development practice. Her session was an interactive session that focused on tough employee issues. The main issues discussed involved communicating, terminating, evaluating and coaching. When terminating an employee have the following talking points ready: introduction, cause for discussion, review of separation materials and what happens next. Jennifer also advised that when evaluating employees, "No matter what – keep it constructive and effective." When coaching employees it is important to relate to them – ask questions, listen deeply and connect with them, Jennifer told attendees.

Six-Figure Take-Home Lighting Design Professional
Earl Levin, IALD
By Chris Rakestraw, Mississippi State University, USA

In today's economic climate of downsizing, a salary involving six digits becomes highly desirable. In Earl Levin's presentation, he explained the tools and best practices of being a successful lighting designer who brings home six-figures. "The process of educating your clients so they can make intelligent decisions will require the use of problem solving techniques supported by well honed professional selling skills. Used correctly, this process will allow you to deliver high value proposals and solutions that pay high dividends for you and your client. The process never ends…it is an endless loop." stated Levin. Getting the project started on the right track in the beginning will definitely help a lighting designer reach that six-figure mark, or at the very least avoid a few headaches. Showing value to your clients is the key for repeat business and for filling your bank account, according to Levin.  

DESIGN TRACK

How Lighting Will Define the Identity of the Information Society's Post-Industrial Architecture
Stephan Horn, Associate IALD
By Lisa Yue, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, USA

Stephan Horn took attendees on a visual journey of dynamic architecture through lighting. "Isn't life about movement?" asked Horn. Time is our best architecture and it shapes the way we see things time and time again, he said. The beauty about a place is that it is always different, evolving through space and time. He explained that lighting designers have the ability to transform architecture into a dynamic entity in regards to controls and software. With the examples of the UniqaTower by Mader Stublic Wiermann in Vienna, with its constantly changing electric lighting patterns, and the Technorama Façade by Ned Khan in Switzerland, with its aluminum modules oscillating with the wind, post-industrial architecture can change its presence just by changing its lighting strategy. Since facades inherently separate and integrate spaces, it is noteworthy of the fact that media facades have a way to interact between these two levels. The implementation of media facades is a chance to connect with monolithic architecture.

Lighting Design: An Inquiry on Morphogenetic Design Strategies
Dr. Thelma Lazo-Flores
By David Del Rosario, Parsons The New School for Design, USA

Morphogenesis is the development of structural features of an organism or part. Dr. Lazo-Flores explains that morphogenetic design is an approach that draws inspiration from the natural (biology) or the poetic (linguistics or rituals). She describes how companies now use this technique for branding, allowing them to evoke their image through planned marketing and morphology. For example, a human eyelid can inform a store's plan layout. The round eye inspires a circular room, with arrayed tables representing eyelashes. Questions of whom, how, and why arise. The designer iterates further until the concept is validated. Nevertheless, this design strategy to take inspired forms and apply them as variants (mimicry, multiplicity, etc.) offers another beneficial metric for practitioners to gauge their projects.

Movies as an Inspiration for Lighting Design
Philip Gabriel, FIALD
By Jeannie Sego, Indiana University-Purdue University, USA

Philip Gabriel led an interactive session that allowed students and professionals to explore lighting techniques used in movies through the years. Some interesting movies that were examined were Citizen Kane, Casablanca and Apocalypse Now. Citizen Kane has a very unique use of light. It makes us realize that light in movies can be manipulated and only viewed in one perspective, which is the camera lens. This contrasts with architecture in that the viewer perceives the light in a more dynamic way, being able to move about the space to see lighting systems. Casablanca also has a remarkable use of light that utilizes layering of lights. These patterns of the light bring out the relationship of the light and shadow because of the contrast of the black and white film. Apocalypse Now uses the light to create a mysterious experience for the viewers. The light partially obscures faces which creates a sense of drama and makes the audience feel uncomfortable.

Conservation and Preservation: The Role of Lighting in Revitalizing our Past
Randy Burkett, FIALD; Edwin Rambusch, LIRC; and David Harris Hart, FAIA
By Anthony Mindra, Boston Architectural College, USA

The panel discussed how the Utah State Capitol's lighting was restored to maintain the integrity of its original design. Restoration and preservation was done to also meet the demands of a modern building and user's needs. The challenge was to discover the best way to approach the design and selection process to fit within the budget and adequately maintain its integrity giving it back its status as a "jewel" through lighting. The first process was to clearly define the design process to be able to replicate its historic features and to clean existing fixtures for re-use and preservation. A selection process was established to guide participants through the design process and a contractor was brought on board early before the architect was selected. Transparency throughout the project was significant in enhancing the success of this restoration, as well as being able to meet the goals, cost and quality of lighting to maintain and  preserve the historical jewel of the 1916 Utah State Capitol.

Lighting for Animation : Design Through Implementation
David Walvoord, DreamWorks Animation
By Amy Pelkner, University of Nebraska, USA

Academy Award winner Dave Walvoord of DreamWorks Animation described how he uses lighting to visually tell stories. While the obvious differences between virtual lighting and real-world lighting include the simulated physics and no worries about electricity and lamps, the more obscure difference is that virtual lighters can cheat. They can add in arbitrary colors and shadows, necessary to create a visual structure for the movie, but Dave comically warned, "Don't screw with light if you don't have to!" With images from Kung Fu Panda as reference, he explained how visual structure was created to maintain a cohesive look to the lighting throughout the movie. Color and brightness contribute to character development, situation and mood enhancement, among other film elements. Dave shares some of the headaches we have as lighting designers, such as being pulled in too late on a project or working out issues with the production designer. However, it was apparent by the end of his presentation that he also shares the same passion for lighting; he just plays with it in a different context.

CURRENT ISSUES

Lighting and Cognitive Well Being
Robert Davis, LIRC
By Hanan Peretz, Ariel University Center of SamariaIsrael, Israel

How do we cognitively structure lit environments? By what cognitive criteria do we perceive lighting? How do these aspects of perception relate to preference and how can architectural context affect them? Robert Davis provoked these questions in his presentation on visual perception, cognitive psychology and environmental perception. His research provided an overview of several key works in the field, including: Lighting Psychology by Flynn, Environmental Cognition by Kaplan & Kaplan and Environmental Psychology by James Russell. Through complex, yet clear, diagrams, Davis illustrated how cognitive theory can be implemented to design lighting that creates ideal environments for human activity. These diagrams provide a practical understanding of how the theoretical questions can help guide architectural lighting design work in the field.

Seven Recipes in Ecological Lighting Design
Kaoru Mende, IALD
By Lisa Yue, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, USA

"We are overeating light. Let's go on a diet," said Kaoru Mende as he delivered an insightful look into ecological lighting strategies. Similar to Japanese architecture, lighting design is quite simple too. He often mimics natural light in his beautiful designs that follow his seven recipes, which include achieving high lamp efficiency, high fixture efficiency, minimum illumination, vertical luminance and ambient lighting, appropriate light distribution, appropriate fixture location, and providing light controls and an operational diagram. We need to provide the appropriate light levels for the right application and space, he said. Mende instructed us to exploit asymmetrical and non-uniform photometric distributions to create dynamic spaces, as seen in the Beijing National Opera House. He also recommended not to be afraid to explore the play of light and shadow, especially within interstitial spaces between two brightly illuminated areas. It is the integration of all seven elements that creates a successful and beautiful lighting design.

The Magic Potion : Mixing Energy and Quality and a Viable Lighting Metric
Fred Oberkircher, Educator IALD
By Casey Curbow, Kansas State University, USA

Fred Oberkircher focused on the delicate balance of energy and quality into a viable lighting metric. Highlighting disturbing trends in modern design, Oberkircher cautioned against being distracted by energy-first design and reaffirming what is of true concern, the well-being and health of the occupant. Oberkircher stated that primary emphasis should not necessarily be put on a static rate like light power density but rather on a more dynamic system combining the relationship of energy consumption, sophistication of controls, and post-occupancy data. The other major topic in the seminar was attempting to quantify quality. As impossible as it seems to objectify what has long been considered subjective, Oberkircher raised the point that if the design community can celebrate excellence, then they can certainly find a threshold for what is unacceptable. The conclusion of the seminar took on an optimistic tone as he announced a Light Quality Task Force that was made up of the IALD, ALA, and IESNA.

LEDs : A Magical Mystery Tour and the Map to Get You Out
Jimalee Dakin, LIRC; Eric Lind, LIRC; Paula Ziegenbein, LIRC; and Ardra Zinkon, Associate IALD
By Huaizhen (Karen) Zhang, Western Michigan University, USA

This acclaimed group of manufacturers and lighting designers reviewed and discussed the "State of the Standard" of LED technology, while providing a checklist for specifying LED luminaries, retro-fit lamps and controls. The standing-room only session was full of lighting designers, architects, students and LED lighting manufacturers. Moreover, this session was a heated discussion about LED emitting color which can be different even with the same color temperature. This is due to different sub bin of LEDs. LED Technology, as the new solid state lighting technology, has the potential to reduce lighting energy use in the United States. This type of discussion will help lead this new technology to fit the requirements of designers and architects in their lighting energy efficient designs.

Energy and Sustainability Update
John Martin, IALD Public Policy, and Glenn Heinmiller, IALD
By Beth Dawson, University of Oregon, USA

This session detailed not only developments with a variety of policy writing entities but also how the respective processes work. Additionally the need for member involvement in the IALD's public policy activities was emphasized. It is increasingly important that IALD create coalitions and relationships with other associations but this will be a long-term effort, it may take three to ten years to see the fruits of the current endeavors. "IALD's increasing visibility in policy circles and our continued success depends on our member's activism," said John Martin, Ed.D., IALD Public Policy. "IALD is in a big transition because it is a lot more involved in public policy in a big way.  Previously we were reactive now we are being proactive," said IALD Energy and Sustainability Chair Glenn Heinmiller, IALD. "The only reason it gets done is because of the volunteers. It is exciting to have IALD members involved in the development of the "Green Building Codes."

Clockwise: Derek Phillips, FIALD, and friend/pilot Dennis Thornley. Sheraton Hotel, Dubai, 1979, in collaboration with Howard Brandston, FIALD. Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Hong Kong, 1963. Dambulla Caves, Sri Lanka Lighting Trials with the fluorescents still on the ceiling, 1975. Foreign Secretary's Office, London. Westminster Abbey, London, 1965 [external lighting]. 

The 2009 IALD Lifetime Achievement Award, the greatest honor bestowed by the IALD, was presented to Derek Phillips, FIALD, founder of DPA Lighting Consultants and first to practice architectural design in the United Kingdom (UK).
 
Born in the UK and spending much of his formative years in India, Derek Phillips began his training as an architect only after serving in the fleet arm of the Royal Navy during World War II. Derek's first thoughts of a post-war career in architecture stemmed from discussions with his pilot and close friend, Lieutenant Dennis Thornley. When the opportunity arose for an educational release back to the UK, Derek left the Royal Navy and interviewed in Liverpool to study architecture and was subsequently admitted.
 
After completing his studies in Liverpool, Derek received a commonwealth fund fellowship to study architecture at the graduate level at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). It was during his time in the United States that Derek met with several architectural luminaries, including Frank Lloyd Wright, whose work was a powerful influence on his own.
 
Upon his return to the UK in 1954, Derek secured employment with the British Thompson Houston (BTH) Company - a lighting company. His four years with BTH served as his apprenticeship in lighting technology.
 
In 1958, he established Derek Phillips Lighting Consultants, the first lighting design practice in the UK, where he worked on such projects as the British Foreign Office in Whitehall, to the Mandarin Hotel in Hong Kong, to the Dumbulla Cave Monastery in Sri Lanka.
 
Despite officially retiring in 1993 at age seventy, Derek continues to be active in the lighting design community, authoring four publications on lighting design published by the Architectural Press. To see Derek Phillip's acceptance speech please click here.  
 
The IALD Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes the true pioneers and visionaries in the lighting design field. The requirements for the lifetime achievement award are that the individual displays outstanding contributions to the lighting design profession over his or her lifetime; that they show exceptional leadership in the aesthetic, scientific, educational and practical effectiveness of the profession; and that their individual work significantly contributes to a better public awareness and appreciation for lighting design.

 

LIGHTING CROSS TALK PROVES ADVANTAGEOUS FOR BOTH SIDES OF LIGHTING INDUSTRY
 
Lighting Cross Talk included 15 Lighting Industry Resource Council (LIRC) members and over 100 specifiers. Energy and enthusiasm filled the room as participants discussed everything from new lighting fixtures to how to receive current catalogue information in this new communication age. Once again this year, the successful event was advantageous for both sides of the lighting industry. This year, Jennifer Pieszak, IALD, with Lam Partners in Cambridge, MA, walked away with the annual door prize, a mini flip video camera.



For more information on Lighting Cross Talk please contact Renee Campbell at renee@iald.org.
 



Lighting Cross Talk Participants
Acuity Brands Lighting
Amerlux Global Lighting Solutions
B-K ighting and Teka Illumination
Cooper Lighting
Erco Lighting
Focal Point
General Electric Consumer & Industrial
Kurt Versen
Lighting Services Inc
Lutron Electronics
Osram Sylvania
Philips Day-Brite
Philips Lightolier
Specialty Ligting Industries
Zumtobel Lighting

 

MORE THAN 35 STUDENTS ATTEND ENLIGHTEN AMERICAS 2009
 
Student attendance reached over 35 this year with students from various parts of the US as well as from Israel. Students arrived early Thursday afternoon to begin their pre-conference activity, LightPlay. Held during IALD Enlighten Americas 2009, LightPlay : Places, Faces and Fruit is a lighting design charette led by leading designers, allowing professionals to share their lighting knowledge directly with students.

 
After instruction by IALD Education Trust Board Members Lara Cordell and Andrea Hartranft, IALD; Dr. Jill Mulholland, Educator IALD; and Patricia Rizzo, Associate IALD, students used filters, flashlights and fruit in various locations to discover and document how light moves, reacts and shapes an environment. To view this year's results of LightPlay click here. Thank you to the IALD Education Trust, Fisher Marantz Stone, Inc. and Cooper Lighting for supporting LightPlay 2009.
 
Perhaps the most valuable opportunity for students attending Enlighten Americas is the opportunity to have their portfolios reviewed by industry professionals during the morning and afternoon breaks. Students were also given the opportunity to act as a student journalist by writing a brief summary on a chosen session. Thank you to all students who volunteered!

Off the Grid : A Workshop for Students
Rogier van der Heide, IALD
By Kera Lagios, Harvard University, USA
 
On the last day of the conference, the students attended a special student workshop led by Rogier van der Heide of Arup and lighting design instructor at the Technical University of Graz in Austria. During an exercise prepared by Rogier, the students split into small groups and were challenged to develop product concepts for off-the-grid energy generation. As attention towards sustainability and social responsibility within professional and academic circles intensifies, the exercise was topical and relevant to contemporary discussions about light and energy.
 
Rogier concluded the session with his lecture "Lovelight", during which he showed his own work and described his approach to lighting and design. As a student it was most inspiring, not only to see photographs of his beautiful finished projects, but to hear how an experienced professional approaches a design challenge with humor and enthusiasm, and despite unforeseen problems and limitations, accomplishes incredible results.

 

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IALD EDUCATION TRUST ANNOUNCES OVER $12,000USD RAISED TO THROW MARK ROUSH FROM AN AIRPLANE

You have answered the call, and the prospect of Mark Roush, IALD Education Trust President, taking a flying leap from an airplane netted over $12,000USD in donations to the Trust. Thank you Peerless Light for donating $10,000USD and to all the individual and corporate donors!
 
Mark jumped out of the airplane on 3 October, with Dr. Kevin Houser, Educator IALD, of Pennsylvania State University, and his students. As promised, Mark shared the video with Enlighten Americas attendees during the Annual Business Meeting. CLICK HERE to view the video.
 
"I am deeply moved by the generosity of this industry. On behalf of the IALD Education Trust, a big 'thank you' goes out to all the donors!"
 
In an effort to raise money for the IALD Education Trust, Mark Roush, IALD Education Trust President, volunteered to jump out of an airplane if the Trust could raise $10,000 USD in one week. Mark's skydiving experience was paid for by him personally. All donations go directly to the IALD Education Trust to help promote the study of lighting design.
 
There are still opportunities to donate to the Trust. Send in your donation form today!

For more information on the IALD Education Trust and ways you can help, please go to /trust/index.asp. 

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EVENING EVENTS AND NETWORKING HOURS REMAIN POPULAR AMONG ENLIGHTEN ATTENDEES
 

The opportunity to network is one of the top reasons most choose to attend the IALD Enlighten Americas conference, and this year evening event sponsors as well as new networking hours allowed attendees to network against unique backdrops and settings. Thank you to Cooper Lighting, Acuity Brands Lighting and Philips Lightolier for sponsoring wonderful evening events!  
 
The President's Opening Reception, sponsored by Cooper Lighting, provided a delightful and elegant backdrop for welcoming attendees and guests to IALD Enlighten Americas 2009. After IALD President Jeffrey I.L. Miller, IALD, and Lance Bennett of Cooper Lighting welcomed everyone, Charles Stone of Fisher Marantz Stone praised the students for amazing results during LightPlay and invited all attendees to view the results. 
 
Friday Evening's Dinner Reception, sponsored by Acuity Brands Lighting, was indeed a party for the senses. The room was decorated in neon colors, black lights and Acuity's very own ice bar. The entertainment, as always, was unique. Attendee activities included face painting, caricature drawings, handwriting analysis, tarot card readings, balloon making, among others.
 
Saturday's Wine Tasting Closing Gala, sponsored by Philips Lightolier, took place at Chateau St. Jean, a winery founded in 1973 in Sonoma County. Zia Eftekhar, CEO Philips Lightolier Group, welcomed guests, while attendees enjoyed wines, light appetizers and great conversations all set against the beautiful scenery of Sonoma County.
 
Two new networking hours were added to the schedule this year - an Educators Networking Hour and a Young Professionals Networking Hour, both sponsored by the Lighting Industry Resource Council (LIRC). Each event was well-attended and seemed to be popular among the attendees. The Educators Networking Hour allowed educators to share their favorite teaching tools, as well as gain new andinteresting ideas for their own classrooms. The Young Professionals Networking Hour drew in over 30 young professionals and students, who got the chance to talk to fellow young professionals about their particular experiences in the industry thus far.

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MINI-WORKSHOPS REVEAL SECRETS TO SUCCESS AT ENLIGHTEN AMERICAS 2009
 

For the first time, Enlighten Americas 2009 featured mini-workshops during morning and afternoon breaks. Mini-workshops were given by Jennifer Jones, IALD Marketing and Communications Manager, and John Martin, IALD Public Policy.
 
The IALD marketing mini-workshops provided tips and tricks for IALD members to build their business, brand and network, as well as how to capitalize on IALD promotional efforts. Mini-workshops included demonstrations and instructions on how to follow the IALD on social media networks such as Twitter and Facebook, as well as how to take advantage of these networks for personal and business use.
 
The IALD marketing staff also revealed many public relations opportunities IALD members should capitalize on, such as the monthly press release featuring members' recently completed projects, the Editorial Advisory Group and the Editorial Ad-Hoc Writers Pool. Attendees were also given a tutorial on how to update their IALD member profile.
 
John Martin, IALD Public Policy, spoke to attendees on how to become active in IALD Public Policy efforts as well as how to strategically phrase opinions.
 
For more information on any of these topics please contact Jennifer Jones, Marketing and Communications Manager, or John Martin, IALD Public Policy.

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IALD PROJECTTRACKER LAUNCHED AT ENLIGHTEN AMERICAS 2009!
 

The IALD ProjectTracker, a Google Maps lighting design project visualizer, was launched at Enlighten Americas 2009.
 
The IALD ProjectTracker allows users to find examples of quality lighting design in their area, read descriptions of projects, view images and even have the ability to plan a walking tour. The IALD ProjectTracker includes IALD members' award winning projects as well as projects that were submitted as a recently completed project.
 
Members who have completed projects within the last six months are welcome to submit their projects to be uploaded on the IALD ProjectTracker as well as sent out as a press release to industry-related publications. For more information please contact Mailena Vo, Marketing and Communications Coordinator.

 

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