Beyond the Basics: My Continuing Education in Lighting Design

Posted on by Women in Lighting + Design

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.

Photo Credit: www.ldx.lighting

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.

Photo Credit: www.ldx.lighting

” 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.

The Journey of a self-proclaimed lighting nerd, …

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A word from: Dañiel R. Luna-Fuller – Luna Lighting


Hi everyone! I’m Dañiel Luna-Fuller—self-proclaimed lighting nerd, Army veteran, business owner, public servant, volunteer firefighter…and, if there’s a dog nearby, probably trying to convince it we’re best friends.


My path into the lighting industry has been anything but conventional. After serving 17 years in the U.S. Army as a Construction Engineer, I found my passion in architectural lighting and never looked back. Over the past decade, I’ve immersed myself in lighting design, specifications, photometrics, and energy-efficient solutions. In 2017, I founded Luna Lighting, a woman- and service-disabled veteran-owned firm specializing in commercial, industrial, sports, and horticultural lighting. I genuinely get excited about things like color temperature, glare control, and uniformity ratios—which is probably why I proudly wear the “lighting nerd” title.

To me, WILD is about much more than lighting. It’s about building connections, sharing knowledge, lifting one another up, and creating opportunities for women to grow together. Those values inspired me to launch WILD’s new Remote Chapter, where geography isn’t a barrier and everyone has a seat at the table. Whether you’re new to the industry or have decades of experience, I hope this chapter becomes a place where meaningful conversations and lasting relationships can thrive.

One thing you’ll quickly learn about me is that I have a hard time sitting on the sidelines. My 17 years in the U.S. Army instilled in me a lifelong commitment to serving others, and I’ve been fortunate to continue that mission long after hanging up the uniform. Today, I serve as an elected Washington County Board Member in southern Illinois, volunteer with the Irvington Fire Protection District, and advocate for animal welfare through local rescue and animal control efforts. Whether it’s helping a neighbor, supporting first responders, or working to improve the lives of homeless animals, I’m grateful for every opportunity to give back to the community that has given so much to me.

If I could offer one piece of advice to someone just starting out, it would be this: say yes to opportunities, even if they feel intimidating. Ask questions, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to admit you don’t know something. This industry is full of incredible people who are willing to share their knowledge, and you’ll grow faster by embracing every chance to learn. Also, don’t hide what makes you unique—that perspective may be exactly what someone else needs.

I’m excited to meet more of you through WILD and especially through our new Remote Chapter. If you’re looking for a community that values connection, collaboration, and maybe a little lighting geekiness along the way, I’d love to have you join us!

WILD Members supporting AID to Venezuela

Posted on by Women in Lighting + Design

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, collapsing buildings in the capital of Caracas and coastal communities in La Guaira. The quakes sent shockwaves across multiple states.  Below are links if you can provide help to these victims.

For food – Alimenta La Solidaridad

For unaccompanied children – Hogar Bambi  

Ways to Give

For medical support – Doctors Without Borders

Where Research Meets Design: Paris Mahmoudzadeh’s Lighting Journey

Posted on by Women in Lighting + Design
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by Paris Mahmoudzadeh, PhD, Architectural Lighting Designer, Leo A Daly

My path into lighting was not a straight line. I came from an architectural background, so lighting was always part of the conversation, but it was not initially my focus. Looking back, though, I think light had been quietly influencing my interests for much longer. I have always been drawn to it. My grandfather used to joke that I must have had some secret solar cells somewhere because I seemed to come alive whenever I was in daylight. That early appreciation for light eventually grew into a deeper curiosity about how it shapes our experiences, comfort, and well-being.

That curiosity developed further during my master’s in Interior Architecture and Environmental Design. While exploring topics for my thesis, I became interested in building automation and began researching how giving people control over lighting in their work environment influences performance and satisfaction. Without realizing it at the time, that project became my gateway into the professional world of lighting.

After my master’s, I started a Ph.D. focused on lighting at Eindhoven University of Technology. It was an exciting opportunity to dive deeper into lighting research and confirmed that I wanted to build my career around understanding how people experience light. Life eventually took me in a different direction, and I moved to the United States, where I began a new Ph.D. in Architectural Engineering with a focus on lighting at Penn State. There, my research centered on lighting efficiency and human brightness perception, leading to several peer-reviewed publications, with additional work from my Ph.D. still in the publication process.


At the same time, I became increasingly curious about the practice of lighting design. Research was exciting, but I wanted to see how those ideas translated into real projects and better understand the challenges designers face every day. That curiosity led me to a lighting design internship with HGA, where I experienced the profession from a completely different perspective.


For a while, I felt as though I had to choose between research and design. Eventually, I realized that I did not. Research taught me how to ask better questions and uncover answers through evidence, while design gave me the opportunity to apply those ideas in environments that people actually experience every day. That realization ultimately led me to my current role as an architectural lighting designer at Leo A Daly. Even now, I continue to follow developments in lighting research and look for ways to bring relevant findings into my day-to-day design work. I believe some of the most meaningful progress in our profession happens when research informs practice and practice, in turn, inspires new research.

One of the things I appreciate most about the lighting community is how generous people are with their time and knowledge. As I was navigating my path into the lighting profession, I had the chance to connect with professionals from around the world through conferences, conversations, and later through platforms like LinkedIn. Some of those connections came from reaching out with questions, and others grew naturally through shared interests in lighting. Those conversations helped shape my career and inspired me to give back in my own way.



I enjoy staying connected to the broader lighting and academic community, whether through guest lectures, sharing my research and professional experiences, participating in local lighting chapters and groups, or simply talking with someone who is curious about lighting. I am also happy to help friends and family with their lighting questions and, like many lighting professionals, cannot help but notice good and bad lighting everywhere I go.


“If there is one piece of advice I would give to someone entering the profession, it is this: do not be afraid to explore different paths. You do not always know what you will love until you experience it. Stay curious, ask questions, and do not hesitate to reach out to people. The lighting community is full of people who are generous with their knowledge, especially when they see genuine curiosity and eagerness to learn. Looking back, I am grateful that I never had to choose between being curious about research and passionate about design. Both continue to shape the way I approach lighting, and I hope to keep building bridges between them throughout my career.”

Paris Mahmoudzadeh, PhD

The older I get, the more I value encouraging younger professionals to find their passion, understanding that passion can evolve over time. I care deeply about helping people listen to themselves, trust their instincts, and have the courage to pursue the life and work they truly want.

Publications: The effect of center and surround luminance, visual angle, edge blur, and contrast polarity on overall brightness perception,” is now published online in Building and Environment!

This study investigates how variations in large combined stimuli—consisting of a central shape and its surrounding area—affect overall brightness perception, with potential implications for architectural lighting design.

I am grateful to my co-authors and mentors Wenye Hu, Wendy Davis, and Alp Durmus for their invaluable contributions!
Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/gyW2XgvP

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2025.112582

Nominate Leaders for WILD: Positions to Open in August!

Posted on by Women in Lighting + Design

WILD is a volunteer run organization using the power of collected experience and action to drive change. See what positions are available to serve on the Board of Directors and what past Chair’s can share about their experience and time serving.

  • Secretary
  • Chapter Chair
  • Marketing Chair

Nominations are open August 17th – September 17th

Nomination Form
Continue reading Nominate Leaders for WILD: Positions to Open in August!

Trusting the Path…A Second Act, Illuminated

Posted on by Women in Lighting + Design
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by Kaylene Campbell, Senior Associate , DLR Group  | WILD President, Portland Chapter

My path into the lighting industry was gradual, until it became my Plan A, B, and C. As a young adult, I chose tax accounting as my career, and while it served me and my family well for over 20 years, I eventually realized that creativity had to define my second half of life. So at 38, as a single mom of three young kids, I moved to Portland, Oregon, and went back to school for an interiors degree.

Because it took me eight years to finish, I had plenty of time to consider where my career might lead. Then one day, leaving the grocery store, my youngest daughter said, “Mom! Did you see what color they lit the meat with?” I stood there dumbfounded, realizing that in every design studio, I always began by imagining the lighting. Even my kids knew before I fully did, that lighting was my path.

I stood there dumbfounded, realizing that in every design studio, I always began by imagining the lighting. Even my kids knew before I fully did, that lighting was my path.

Kaylene Campbell

When I graduated ten years ago, I spent several formative years at a local MEP firm, where I built my foundation in lighting design. It was an ideal beginning because I had zero electrical experience, but I was surrounded by patient, thorough engineers and colleagues willing to teach me. At one point, I didn’t even realize “grounding” meant something literal in the ground.

With three daughters and many close female friendships, my path to WILD felt equally natural. Supporting, mentoring, and showing up for women has always been central to who I am. I believe women often need to build our own table in the workplace, and then invite others to join, expand it, and create spaces of their own. Waiting for corporate structures alone to champion women in meaningful, compassionate ways has too often felt like a fool’s errand, so creating support and opportunity wherever I can simply makes sense.

Supporting, mentoring, and showing up for women has always been central to who I am. I believe women often need to build our own table in the workplace, and then invite others to join, expand it, and create spaces of their own.

Kaylene Campbell

The older I get, the more I value encouraging younger professionals to find their passion, understanding that passion can evolve over time. I care deeply about helping people listen to themselves, trust their instincts, and have the courage to pursue the life and work they truly want.

WILD philadelphia

One Membership. Multiple Chapters

Posted on by Women in Lighting + Design

Do you split your time between cities, travel frequently, or work bi-coastally?

WILD members can be affiliated with multiple chapters and join additional chapter mailing lists to stay connected to events, networking opportunities, and programming in the regions most relevant to them.

Best of all — your membership cost remains the same regardless of how many chapters you participate in.

Whether you’re commuting between coasts, traveling for projects, or simply expanding your professional network, WILD makes it easy to stay engaged wherever you are.

To add additional chapter affiliations or mailing lists, simply complete the WILD Newsletter Sign Up Form here…

WILD Newsletter Sign Up

Be sure to join our NEW Community on What’s App to connect with other WILD members that will be attending industry events and trade shows.

WILD Connections Community on What’s App

  • WILD Connections at NeoCon 2026
  • WILD Connections at IES Annual Conference 2026
  • WILD Connections at IALD Enlighten
WILD Connections at NeoCon – QR code

Join the Group

WILD Connections at IES Annual Conference

Taking the long way around to lighting…

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by Brooke Williams, Senior Designer, HLB

Hi! I’m Brooke Williams, a senior lighting designer at HLB in San Francisco. I took the long way around to lighting — starting in architectural engineering at CU Boulder, switching to Environmental Design, and ultimately finding lighting through the certificate program. It turned out to be the perfect overlap of my engineering brain and my design heart, and I’ve been in it ever since.

View Brooke’s Story at CU Bolder

I’ve been fortunate to work at a range of firms and to learn from mentors at every step. I’ve had opportunities to work on projects from trash enclosures to high-end residential — and I’ve found joy in all of it.

Everything needs light. It always matters. And at the end of the day, it’s always for people.

I joined my first Women in Lighting + Design (WILD) call in my second week in the industry. I’d never been part of a professional organization before, but I kept showing up, slowly came out of my shell, and started building real connections. Nearly eight years later, the women I’ve met through WILD are some of the best people I know across all ages, experiences, and roles in the industry. It’s a community that grows quietly over time, until one day you realize it feels almost like family.

I’m also a recent co‑coordinator for the International Association of Lighting Designers San Francisco (IALD SF), and I absolutely love being part of that broader global community.

For anyone newer to the industry: keep showing up, say hi, and ask all the questions.