Emotion Light

Overview:

If the Landscape Lighting profession were honest with itself and properly evaluated the work provided to everyday consumers today, then we would find that over 90% fails to fulfill the basic principles of composition. Yes, this is a sad and stark statement. However, it is the truth. The grand majority of service providers lack any understanding of composition, whatsoever.

Light is a necessary part of Art, Architecture, and Space. How can one perceive space without light and shadow? With that said, we should not consider light “subjectively.” For far too long, many have treated lighting design as a subject measure where “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” This provides for the acceptance of poor/bad lighting design to be considered “acceptable,” when it really shouldn’t be. This is a low-bar standard! ELLI does not accept this, and it has established a set of parameters by which to determine a minimum level of acceptance.

To make matters worse, the consumer knows even less (generally speaking) than the service provider. The consumer is in no position to effectively or properly judge what is ‘good’ lighting design. Let’s face it, the consumer only sees “light” versus “dark.” If the lighting comes on, then they are excited and say that it looks great! Is that really to be our measure of successful design? This is why our profession cycles, round and round doing the same poor practices.

The only way to change the consumer and professional understanding of what ‘good’ lighting design looks like is by showing them. This is exactly why ELLI was developed. ELLI displays ‘good’ lighting design within its Educational Gallery. This is only a starting point for all parties to work with. The professionals that perform this work must stand up and accept this step forward, as it only serves to benefit the whole industry.

Emotion is a psychological response to a stimulus, in this case Light. Living matter (humans, animals, etc.) are all affected by light. Without going into great detail, this fact is essential in life and decision-making. Yet, it seems that in landscape lighting it is treated as a mere aesthetic aspect of our work. There is a deeper science behind how Light can motivate us, psychologically. It is here that we, as landscape lighting designers, can visual impact humans and their experiences. This is where we can make our trade an art form.

Why should the Landscape Lighting profession place its attention on making our trade an art form? By doing so, we can provide for two (2) great needs:

Human Well-Being and Health benefits.
Professional Relevance and Respect.

This is what our profession is currently missing—we don’t serve a “human need”, rather it’s a desire or want. Additionally, we aren’t respected like other professions (doctors, lawyers, artists, etc.) because we aren’t considered necessary.

Emotion is a powerful tool that can greatly benefit us. Landscapes that evoke a positive emotion will cause its visitors to remember them. Remembered spaces are “experiences”, and these positive experiences are “desired.” This desire is what motivates us…excites us…and we wish to get more of it. It’s an addiction of sorts because it makes us feel good. Physiologically, there are biochemical reactions that provide for our well-being, and this is why it is all a benefit to humans. See Human Health page.

Considering what has been explained above, this is why ELLI is important. ELLI is still the only entity that teaches these concepts to the level necessary to allow a landscape lighting designer to apply them into their work.

Affect:

The word, ‘Affect’ is one that is not normally used in the landscape lighting profession. It means “the Experience of Feeling”, and it is associated to a space. As lighting designers, we are fortunate to work with light as our medium. As mentioned earlier, light stimulates and arouses life. ‘Arousal’ is a physiological response closely linked to Emotion.

So why does this matter to landscape lighting designers? It is because Arousal is characterized in by two aspects:

Valence (positive vs. negative)
Strength (strong vs. weak)

Humans make decisions based on what we experience within our environment. Our senses, primarily that of sight, will impact our behavior in what to do based on what we see. Our emotional response to a stimulus will be either to ‘Approach’ or to ‘Avoid’ the condition we face. Therefore, if we translate this into our work, lighting designers have the ability to illuminate a space that can be considered positive or negative. This, in turn, results in us to do one of the following: 1) Approach, 2) Avoid or Retreat, or 3) Pause to question the space. Our choices are all based on whether or not we feel safe. This is the psychology behind light and space.

Lastly, if the landscape lighting designer can provoke a particular emotion…one that is positive, then we are more likely to engage a person to experience the space.

Affective Lighting Design:

‘Affective Lighting Design’ is a term that Mark Carlson has chosen for the Landscape Lighting profession to use for the distinct ability of a lighting designer to evoke a positive, emotional response by an illuminated space.

The Landscape Lighting profession was established as a professional practice and art form in 1934 by Frank B. Nightingale. His “intent” was to make this a discipline and highly respected craft. Although it was initially called, “Garden Lighting,” it became known as “Landscape Lighting” by the 1970’s. However, the uniqueness and emphasis of the experience was lost after Nightingale’s passing in 1965. The profession has converted to more of a production process where the artistry is only appreciated by a minority.

One of the purposes of ELLI is to reinstate the importance Nightingale once provided, so that we can advance our profession. Due to Mark Carlson’s studies, he has created this advanced-level offering to dedicated Landscape Lighting Designers; those who aspire to provide at the highest levels in landscape lighting design. This discipline is now termed, ‘Affective Lighting Design.’ He believes this is the future of our profession.

As landscape lighting designers, we must have a pathway forward in higher education. Currently, nothing exists for this profession. Affective Lighting Design will be deeply rooted in understanding human psychology and the subtleties of applying light for creating the appropriate lighting levels to provide atmosphere. Much of this relates to the ability to evoke emotion.

Design Discernment

Discernment—the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure

Have you ever asked yourself, “How” a lighting designer might fail? Failure is a harsh word, so maybe it’s best to say, “not seeing” or “not being aware.” The definition shown above describes, what is obscure, and asks the question, “What are we missing?” How should the lighting designer take advantage of the qualities within a space? Here in lies the true challenge of discernment. Far too often we are rushed through the design process and miss the opportunities to ‘See’ what is in front of us.

As much as the landscape lighting trade has progressed in the past several decades, little has been done to establish standard practices and expectations in this artform. The high bar of expectation has been set at the lowest possible level because of a lacking authority and relatively no interest. However, ELLI is actively pushing this agenda so that lighting design and composition become that foundational standard. One cannot expect to achieve a positive outcome with regards to provoking emotion without developing this primary skill set.

Going back to the question, “What are we missing?” Lighting composition is the foundation to developing effective lighting design skills. ELLI intends to teach this so that it becomes the model to follow in the landscape lighting profession. This is the only way in which designers can advance to the highest level and to ensure a separation of skills—the ‘good’ from the ‘not-good.’

ELLI would like to quote the internationally recognized landscape architect, Mr. Laurie Olin, “If the majority of work is Ordinary, then the Extraordinary will be recognized.” This is so true, and part of our battle has to do with the lack of understanding most people have of our work—they do not know what is good or bad. By educating all parties, we can improve these practices.

Failure to Develop

There are several reasons of why lighting designers fail to develop. The following explain why this occurs:

Not Allowing Time to Understand – You must spend time in a space to absorb its quality and everything about it. Too many are hurried to just plot notes or ideas down on paper, take pictures and then, race to the next job. Most employers are pressing their designers to get in and out of the job quickly—‘time is money!’ Yet, this behavior hinders understanding. Many leave the job site and these qualities are still hidden or obscure.

Not Allowing the Mind to Think – The mind is a powerful tool, and if we allow it to work for us, we can gain incredible insights. One must question their senses—to allow the cognitive function to proceed, as we study our environment. What do we see, hear and feel within these spaces? If we are rushed and not relaxed enough to experience this, then we will limit this gathering of information. One must be patient.

Not Allowing for Growth — One should never settle for the ‘minimum’ standard or limited knowledge in order to just get by. This is Art and it should be treated as such. Another way to understand growth is in this statement by internationally recognized lighting designer, Howard M. Brandston, “Rules are a substitute to thinking.” Rules tend to hinder people from thinking outside of the box—we live in a world of average expectations.

Growth should be in the form of learning through experiences. It should also be in the learning to visualize. This visualization is the ability to ‘see’ in our mind, that which is not present in physical form. Unfortunately, most are not gifted with this ability, so it takes time and practice to develop.