Certificate in Lighting Design

Certificate in Lighting Design What will you learn?

For a detailed information on what you will learn on this course please download our Lighting Course Prospectus. However for a brief summary of what you will learn please click on one of the following links:

* Understanding Light
* Lighting Effects & How to Achieve Them
* Lighting Controls & Switches
* Design Communications

Understanding Light - Light is not what we see but what we see by, yet this abstract and intangible design component clearly has a significant influence on our perception of our environment and whether or not our visual experience is pleasant or not. How is it that something as ethereal as light can impact us so significantly and more importantly perhaps, how can it be adjusted and manipulated to enhance our experiences so that we can reap the benefits? The answer lies in a basic understanding of what exactly light is and how we perceive it...

Ordinarily lighting theory can be a highly technical and complex subject, but in this course the essentials are explained in everyday language with clear examples to illustrate the relevant points for you as a Lighting Designer. Anyone who wishes to design successful lighting schemes must understand these fundamentals and the knowledge you will gain on this course will give you the vocabulary and confidence to communicate professionally with clients and justify your design solutions in a manner that is informed and persuasive. Topics covered include the following:

* Daylighting Techniques - working with and enhancing natural light
* Whole Building Design - co-ordinating lighting design with other building systems
* Adaptation Levels - understanding the way the human eye adapts to different light levels
* Glare - how it occurs and how to avoid it
* Colour & Light - understanding the connection between colour and light and how different types of light affect colour interpretation
* Selecting Lamps - the various types of bulbs, their lighting types, and recommendations on how to use them
* Successful Lighting Schemes - identifying the differences between good and bad lighting designs

Lighting Effects & How to Achieve Them - Lighting can be skilfully used to make a space appear smaller or larger, and it canhighlight decorative details and draw attention away from unwanted areas. While different bulbs can drastically affect the way colour appears, the type of fittings will also determine how light is dispersed within a room and whether the result is a warm glow or an uncomfortable glare. In short, effective lighting can create a variety of moods and atmospheres that can be immediately changed with the flick of a switch, and in this context it's easy to understand how a lighting scheme can make or break an interior design...

Just as we have many moods and numerous tasks to perform throughout the course of a normal day, our lighting requirements can change from one moment to the next. These are the most commonly recognised and critical factors in designing any lighting scheme, but they are still just some of the details to consider when you are designing a lighting system for maximum impact. This course will teach you about the various types of lighting effects and how to mix and match them to suit each client's unique requirements. You will learn...

* Categories of Lighting - discover the different types of lighting effects and how to achieve and adapt them
* Lighting Fixtures - understand how fixtures disperse light and how to use them practically in your lighting designs
* Flexible Lighting Design - how to develop lighting designs that adapt with the users' needs and mood
* Planning Lighting Effectively - assessing the characteristics of a space so that you can design a lighting scheme that is effective and appropriate for long-term client satisfaction

Lighting Controls & Switches - The convenience of turning off the main light without getting out of bed is a relatively simple one, but it is just one of those little details that makes life more comfortable on an everyday basis. Similarly, the ability to turn on all the lamps in a room with the flick of a single switch is preferable to switching on each lamp individually. While these examples may be simple, they illustrate how a little thought and planning can increase our comfort significantly, yet these details must be considered at the outset...

A proper lighting design will take into account how the occupants of a building will live and function within a space, and all the components of that design will be carefully selected to create a lighting system that is as pleasing to operate as it would be to live in. Designing a lighting system for ease of use is not rocket science, it simply requires knowledge of the types of switches and control systems available, along with careful consideration as to how your clients will interact with their environment. Once you learn about the essential components of a lighting system, then you can combine them to create unique lighting systems to cater for your clients individual requirements. This course will teach you...

* Control Mechanisms - learn about the variety of switches and trigger mechanisms and how to use them appropriately
* Assessing Client Requirements - use our simple questionnaire to determine your clients' needs and preferences
* Attention to Detail - learn how a little forethought can result in seemingly small differences that result in referrals & recommendations
* Selecting Hardware & Finishes - selection and placement of components from an aesthetic perspective

Design Communications - Once you have mastered the new knowledge and skills taught throughout this course, you will undoubtedly develop your ability to design fabulous new lighting schemes and effects. However, like any good idea, a fantastic lighting design is of no use if it simply remains inside your head; your design ideas must be communicated clearly and accurately to a variety of different people if you want your design to be implemented in the way that you envision...

The final step to creating a successful lighting design is to produce a set of clear instructions so that the design can be implemented according to your vision. Essentially specifications are simply a set of instructions that precisely indicate what you want installed and where they should be positioned, yet to be truly effective, they must appeal to an architects sense of professionalism and technical accuracy, yet still be simple enough for the contractor on-site to clearly understand your intentions. Getting this balance right is not difficult once you know how, and our simple formula for creating fool-proof specifications and lighting plans will show you how to produce these detailed specifications so that work can be carried out even if you are not on site to oversee. Topics covered include:

* Architectural Drawings - interpreting & working with architectural plans and elevations
* Reflected Ceiling Plans - a shortcut to creating professional working drawings
* Wiring & Switching Plans - what you need to know and what you should avoid
* Specifications - the easy way to create clear instructions so your lighting designs are implemented accurately
* Professional Presentation - how to create client briefs that sell your ideas and your professionalism!.