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The landscape lighting profession has not fully considered the benefits that Light and Nature have towards Human Health. Mark Carlson has been researching various scientists, doctors, and scientific journals, and has found that there is good evidence to support this claim. This is especially true with Nature and the imagery of nature, when included in methods of healing.
In addition to Nature, Light has proven to impact humans in a positive manner. However, there haven’t been enough studies that combine these elements, in the sense that we would with our trade craft—landscape lighting. ELLI intends to help perform studies that show the positive relationship between properly illuminated, exterior landscaped spaces and humans. These types of studies are needed to help prove that there is a positive benefit for people to utilize these spaces as a therapeutic means to relief stress and pain, and to improve well-being.
ELLI intends to educate Lighting Designers in understanding these conditional states with the training of ‘Affective Lighting Designers.’ This is and will be a new field of practice. Mark Carlson is currently the only educator and provider of this specialty training.
The Lighting Industry, as we speak, is too focused on efficiency and technological advancements. This has been the case for decades. And because of this, the focus on Human-Centric needs has been placed in a much lower ranking position of consideration. This is why most practitioners know very little about the relationship between Light and Life. They have failed to focus on “Why” lighting is so important.
The biggest part of our Industry’s problem is that it has not properly addressed the “message” we are sending consumers. For decades, every industry organization and association has missed the mark by sending the wrong message. What do I mean by this? It means that the consumer is still confused! There is no unified message for understanding between the consumer and the tradesperson. Why is Light Good for People?
What should the Lighting Industry’s message be? It should be something that is simple and easy to understand by all parties…something like: “Betterment in Human Health.” The message needs to imply that good lighting will provide you with better health. Everyone can understand this. Why wouldn’t people want good lighting, if that is the case?
ELLI is utilizing this simple message, shown above, as it proceeds forward and waits for the rest of the profession and industry to catch up. With regards to the Landscape Lighting profession, ELLI intends to ‘Educate and Separate’ Landscape Lighting Designers by the means of proficiency. This can easily be done by performance testing and providing established standards or measures to act as parameters in one’s work. ELLI will effectively identify and list those landscape lighting designers that have gained the necessary knowledge and proficiency to perform at this distinct level.
Currently, there is a low bar of expectation set in place by the Landscape Lighting profession. We have little to no oversight to control what is being done around the country. This is a massive problem, and it allows for a “wild west” approach. And to make matters worse, there’s a current trend of new service providers entering our profession from off-shoot businesses (snow blowing, window cleaning, holiday lighting, pressure washing, and more). This only weakens our art form. ELLI is the only entity out there that is providing for this separation of practitioner types.
The benefit of separating ‘good’ from ‘bad/poor’ is that the Landscape Lighting profession can establish artistry once again. We need a distinct and disciplined model to follow; one that is considered highly professional, respected, and admired for what it can provide. This all comes back to the professional understanding of how peer recognition works—by providing a positive contribution to society. This contribution can and should be in the form of providing beneficial well-being and human health.
If professional Landscape Lighting Designers can provide for Well-Being, then we can position ourselves as relevant. Why does relevance matter? It’s because it is the only way that we can advance and earn more, as a profession. We cannot just continue to raise our prices without hitting a wall (a limiting approach). We must “justify” our value to the buyer. Our value comes in the form of proven ability by knowledge and proficiency.
Consider how the doctor works with a patient. They spend time to understand their problems (pains or ailments), as well as try to determine what is causing them. Let’s now exchange the doctor for a lighting designer. The designer should act in the same manner to diagnose the situation. He/she should ask the client what their daily life and routines are. A diagnosis of the problem cannot be corrected until all unknowns are known.
Once the Lighting Designer can identify the needs of the client, then they can begin to design a space that best benefits them (to counter the ailment). Stressful states and conditions can be eliminated, or at least lowered, by providing the appropriate lighting design. We must remember that lighting impacts us in a psychological manner (subconsciously), and this is what makes it challenging to work with. Most do not understand this and that is why we continue to see poor lighting designs.
There are three (3) distinct Psychological States or experiences that one can be immersed in to provide for positive relief against stressful conditions. They are as follows:
When Landscape Lighting Designers provide for proper relief of these stressful conditions, they are considered a valuable asset to the community. Currently, most are considered nothing more than a contributor to aesthetics.
Relief is provided in the form of Relaxation, Peace, and Calm. The human body must counter these stresses to remain healthy and balanced. Joy can be another form of Relief. Thought-Provocation is another form of Relief because it allows one time to think. Thinking and working through stressful situations diminishes it.
Each type of Emotion has a basic look and feel to it. The Landscape Lighting Designer must be able to identify with this by an intended lighting application to the scene. This takes great skill and experience. As far as understanding is concerned, the Landscape Lighting Designer must provide the “Intent” and “Purpose” for each space illuminated. And this is all based on the “human need” of the space.
The following are examples of the possible Human Health and Well-Being benefits derived from ‘good’ and ‘proficient’ landscape lighting design:
As can be seen, if there is improved response rates or activities in these areas of ailment, then this can be a huge benefit to society. ELLI encourages this line of thought and study.
