The Interior Design students at Moore College of Art have produced yet another collection of intriguing and creative luminaires made of paper products. Ardour by Michelle Cianfrani Inspired by the burning hot flames of fire, this luminaire is a creation of paper cut-outs layered to create varied intensities of lightness and darkness. The effect is…
I recently had the pleasure of attending the International Association of Lighting Designer’s (IALD) Enlighten Americas conference in Vancouver, which was my first trip to Enlighten (and hopefully not my last). My coworker Erick Leininger and I had the honor of attending the conference as emerging lighting design professionals and were sponsored by the IALD and…
Quantum dots may sound like something you’d find on Star Trek, and look like something you’d find in a college dorm, but these tiny nanocrystals have the potential of becoming the next big thing, solid-state lighting. So just what is a quantum dot? Quantum dots are semiconductor nanocrystals which emit photons (light) when excited by…
Light’s Emotional and Biological Effects: Light seems to play a critical role in one’s visual, emotional, and biological spheres of life. Originally, the use of light was limited in its illuminating function, as it allowed people to perform certain tasks without relying on the presence of the natural light source. In that sense, the amount…
What Makes a Lighting Consultant an Asset? The value that an architectural lighting consultant brings to the table during the design phase of a project is not often in question. The designer’s job entails the creation of a lighting solution that balances a variety of aesthetic and technical requirements. The lighting design should: Enhance and…
The question we get from clients more than ever is “Can we do it with LEDs?” This question has depended on LED availability. A few years ago, the answer was usually ‘No’. However, with advances in LED technology, the answer is becoming ‘Yes’ more than ever. The main sticking point has been the significant up-front…
Begin at the Begining: Taking Control of Controls Whether you’re tasked with designing a single room or an entire building, lighting controls can be one of the most intimidating elements of a lighting project. It is important to understand what taking control of controls means. With so many manufacturers, control devices, and control protocols it’s…
How do our friends up north keep warm in the winter? … you guessed it, by lighting up the town! Here is my experience at the Montreal High Lights Festival! During the chilly month of February Montreal brightens up their city with the Montreal High Lights Festival or Festival Montreal en Lumiere, a yearly tradition.…
There have been a lot of whispers in the architectural, engineering and lighting design industries of the upcoming ban on incandescent lighting. Just like the old grade-school game of “Telephone”, as the news is retold, it seems to change forms. So, let’s wade through the rumors and understand what is REALLY happening with the Ban…
A big advantage of using LEDs in food lighting is that they don’t generate as much heat as fluorescent lamps. When it comes to lighting meat and other sensitive food items at a close range, LEDs might be key. Let’s explore the trend of LEDs and refrigeration units. A recent study conducted by Kyle Steele of…