Lighting Design Fundamentals

Lesson 1 • Color Science Fundamentals

Introduces color temperature, CRI, and chromaticity diagrams as objective descriptors of light quality. Connects color science to source selection decisions.

Lesson 2 • Physics of Light Behavior

Covers electromagnetic radiation, visible spectrum, and wave-particle duality as they apply to design. Grounds all subsequent optical concepts in measurable physical principles.

Lesson 3 • Human Visual System Basics

Explains rod and cone function, adaptation, and contrast sensitivity. Links physiological limits directly to practical lighting decisions.

Lesson 1 • Photometric Data and Specifications

Teaches reading IES photometric files, polar curves, and luminaire efficiency metrics. Enables accurate product comparison and calculation input.

Lesson 2 • Incandescent and Halogen Sources

Examines tungsten filament operation, halogen regenerative cycle, and dimming behavior. Establishes a performance baseline for comparing modern alternatives.

Lesson 3 • Discharge and Fluorescent Sources

Covers high-intensity discharge, fluorescent, and induction lamp principles. Highlights ballast requirements and spectral characteristics relevant to design.

Lesson 4 • LED Technology and Drivers

Details solid-state light emission, junction temperature, and driver circuitry. Prepares students to evaluate LED products by thermal and electrical specifications.

Lesson 1 • Color and Mood in Lighting

Analyzes how CCT, saturation, and color mixing influence emotional response and spatial perception. Guides intentional color decisions aligned with design intent.

Lesson 2 • Contrast, Hierarchy, and Focal Points

Examines luminance ratios, brightness gradients, and visual weight to direct attention. Connects perceptual psychology to deliberate compositional choices.

Lesson 3 • Texture, Form, and Shadow

Explores grazing, washing, and silhouetting techniques to reveal or suppress surface qualities. Demonstrates how angle and distance control perceived texture.

Lesson 4 • Layers of Light Framework

Introduces ambient, task, accent, and decorative layers as a compositional structure. Provides a repeatable framework for organizing any lighting scheme.

Lesson 1 • Lighting Simulation Software Basics

Introduces radiosity and ray-tracing engines used in professional lighting software. Prepares students to set up accurate models and interpret false-color outputs.

Lesson 2 • Inverse Square Law and Point Calculations

Applies the inverse square law and cosine law to predict illuminance at a point. Establishes the mathematical foundation for all subsequent calculation methods.

Lesson 3 • Field Measurement Techniques

Covers light meter types, measurement grids, and calibration procedures for site verification. Connects calculated predictions to real-world commissioning practice.

Lesson 1 • Residential Lighting Design

Addresses living, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom lighting with appropriate levels and aesthetics. Integrates layering principles with residential fixture selection.

Lesson 2 • Retail and Hospitality Lighting

Examines accent-to-ambient ratios, merchandise rendering, and atmosphere creation for commercial spaces. Links lighting strategy to customer behavior and brand identity.

Lesson 3 • Healthcare and Educational Facilities

Addresses task-specific illuminance, infection control, and age-related visual needs in specialized environments. Applies human-centric criteria beyond standard commercial practice.

Lesson 4 • Office and Workplace Lighting

Covers visual comfort, screen glare, and recommended illuminance for office tasks. Applies ergonomic standards to open-plan and private office layouts.

Lesson 1 • Light Pollution and Dark-Sky Design

Examines sky glow, light trespass, and glare as environmental impacts of exterior lighting. Teaches fixture selection and aiming strategies that minimize ecological harm.

Lesson 2 • Exterior Lighting Criteria and Standards

Introduces roadway, pedestrian, and security illuminance targets and uniformity ratios. Establishes the performance benchmarks that govern exterior design decisions.

Lesson 3 • Exterior Lighting Documentation

Covers site lighting plans, photometric reports, and pole layout drawings for exterior projects. Prepares students to deliver complete exterior lighting construction documents.

Lesson 4 • Landscape and Hardscape Lighting

Applies accent, path, and feature lighting to planted and paved outdoor environments. Integrates horticultural sensitivity and moisture protection requirements.

Lesson 1 • Networked and Smart Lighting Systems

Covers DALI, 0-10V, DMX, and wireless protocols for addressable lighting networks. Prepares students to select protocols based on project scale and integration needs.

Lesson 2 • Control System Fundamentals

Introduces switching, dimming, and occupancy-based control as the core control functions. Establishes the vocabulary and logic used in all subsequent control topics.

Lesson 3 • Scene Setting and Circadian Programming

Teaches preset scene design, time-clock scheduling, and tunable white programming. Connects control sequences to occupant well-being and operational efficiency.

Lesson 4 • Commissioning and Verification

Covers control system commissioning, sensor calibration, and functional testing procedures. Closes the loop between design intent and verified installed performance.

Lesson 1 • Concept Development and Presentation

Teaches lighting concept narratives, mood boards, and schematic layout development. Prepares students to communicate design intent persuasively to clients and collaborators.

Lesson 2 • Project Briefing and Programming

Covers client interview techniques, design brief development, and program requirement extraction. Establishes the information foundation that drives all subsequent design decisions.

Lesson 3 • Design Development and Coordination

Addresses fixture selection, specification refinement, and interdisciplinary coordination with architects and engineers. Advances the design from concept to a fully coordinated set.

Lesson 4 • Construction Documents and Procurement

Covers complete drawing set assembly, luminaire schedules, and procurement support. Prepares students to produce bid-ready documentation that contractors can execute.