One of the challenges facing the lighting design industry today is the lack of qualified lighting designers coming into the profession. To address this issue, the IALD Education Trust has embarked upon an outreach effort targeting students in architecture programs around the world. This effort will help ensure that design firms have the appropriate workforce resources to be successful.
The outreach program pairs a lighting designer personally with a school of architecture. These designers commit their time, energy and expertise to building lasting supportive relationships with university architecture departments.
Designers visit targeted schools and meet with key faculty, give formal presentations to students, make studio visits, and hold informal conversations with students. To assist the designers who agree to devote their time to this worthy endeavor the Trust has developed a scripted message and a PowerPoint presentation addressing: what is light, what is the professional lighting design process, what is the IALD and what is the IALD Education Trust.
Spearheaded by board member and 2006 & 2007 President Phil Gabriel, FIALD, as of the end of 2007, the IALD Education Trust had agreements to visit 20 universities. Mr. Gabriel is confident that this effort will assist students and university programs as well as the lighting design industry.
If you are interested in participating as either a participating school or a lighting design ambassador, please contact IALD Education Trust Project Coordinator
Jill Mullholand.
