A word from: Fiona Grunwald, MPS-Lighting, NYSID I IALD I RIDQC
Design by Conway, Residential Lighting Designer
My path into lighting was not a straight line. I started in international Human Resources with a psychology degree, and finally found my way to lighting design through interior design and decorative lighting.
One thing I’ve come to appreciate is that there is always more to learn. Yet, for an industry with so much depth, the options for structured lighting education are surprisingly slim. If you’re looking for ways to build on what you already know, I thought it might be useful to share my experience with two very different programs.
Over the past year, I completed the Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Lighting Design at the New York School of Interior Design (NYSID). I also attended the inaugural LDX, The Lighting Design Experience, from Light Can Help You. Both deepened my understanding of lighting and both have made me a better lighting designer.
Master of Professional Studies in Lighting Design, NYSID
The MPS in Lighting Design is a post-professional degree in the art and science of architectural lighting design. It was created for working professionals, with classes held in the evenings and the option to participate online.
There is an academic rigor to this master’s program that pushes you to explore lighting at a much deeper level. You study the health, science and technology behind lighting, alongside research and design. Just as importantly, you are continually challenged to explain the thinking behind the decisions you make.
“For me, one of the greatest opportunities was the breadth of the work. I was able to experience designing lighting for completely different applications, rather than staying within the residential world I know best. My projects ranged from a tea museum to a restaurant and, ultimately, my thesis on exterior lighting for a historic bridge between Pennsylvania and New Jersey.”
There is plenty of hands-on work. We built mockups, worked with photometric simulation, and had plenty of opportunity to experiment.
More than anything, the program taught me to treat lighting as a discipline that shapes how a space functions and feels, belonging in the conversation from the first sketch.
If you are considering applying, the portfolio is important, particularly if, like me, your original degree is outside of design. It’s your opportunity to demonstrate how you think, so give yourself time to build it. I would also recommend contacting NYSID admissions to talk through your background and whether the program might be the right fit.
LDX, The Lighting Design Experience
I was fortunate to attend the inaugural LDX from Light Can Help You. LDX focuses specifically on residential lighting design and is aimed at residential professionals, including lighting designers, architects, interior designers, and integrators. You might want to pursue residential lighting design as a career, or simply bring a stronger understanding of lighting design to the work you already do.
The program centers on a one-week residency in Golden, Colorado, and combines theory with a great deal of hands-on learning. A lot of intricate lighting theory is covered, but presented in a very digestible way.
Much of the learning happens by doing. Fixture labs and demo spaces are paired with guided exercises covering everything from aiming and layout to scene setting. There is also the chance to see and work with a curated group of lighting brands, chosen carefully by Light Can Help You.
” LDX gave me a practical residential toolkit. I came away with design skills and tools I could take directly back into my own projects.”
Two Very Different Paths
The MPS gave me the opportunity to go deep academically and experience lighting design across many different applications. LDX allowed me to really hone in on residential lighting and spend time putting the theory into practice.
They are very different experiences, which is rather the point. With so few structured options for continuing our lighting education, I’m very glad I found both.
One of the lovely things about the WILD community is how much we can learn from each other. If you’ve found an educational program, course or experience that has worked for you, please share it with the community. There are so few structured options out there, it would be great to hear what else others have found.