Coming Soon—Spring 2022

ELLI will provide an exclusive opportunity for those seeking deeper advancement into the landscape lighting design practice. Why do this when there are other programs available in this trade? Because, the other programs don’t dig deep enough, nor do they provide the advanced education necessary to truly advance practitioners to the higher level.

The Design Training Program will only be available to those meeting a certain level of criteria. There already exists a multitude of entry-level design programs, so ELLI will not spend the time to do this. Participants in this program will be expected to have a basic understanding of landscape lighting systems, which means they have actual field-experience installing these systems and aiming light fixtures. However, exclusions may be made for those professionals outside of the trade practice—landscape architects, architects, lighting designers, and closely related specialties.

This program will provide two levels of training or advancement. Every participant will be expected to advance through these levels starting at the beginning. The reason for this is because most who claim to be advanced, are not…when it comes to Design. Additionally, the training this program provides builds upon itself. The content in the mid-level coursework will be the foundation and key to the success of individuals at the advanced-level.

Note: The advanced-level offerings are “new” in concept to this artform. ELLI is the only program available to teach them. The goal with this program is to provide allow those dedicated enough to reach higher levels of performance, as well as to lead the industry with their skillsets.

The following information acts as a guide or framework of the type of educational training that will occur:

General Training

This is the first step every participant takes in their advancement. The General Training will begin with the following topics:

• Our Artform—the basic history and current state of the profession. We’ll discuss the possibilities of our future, as well as what our role is.
• Role of the Landscape Lighting Designer—we will look at what is involved with this position and how we might be a more effective leader.
• Standards, Practices, & Expectations—we’ll discuss these controlling parameters, as well as how we can better control project outcomes.
• Principles of Composition—these principles are the foundation towards any future advancement within this discipline. Landscape lighting design is considered a ‘visual artform’, therefore, it should be treated as such.
• Design Critique—we’ll discuss how important critiquing is, as we all must have the ability to perform this. Whether the critique is for our own works or another’s work, this ability is how we apply the principles of composition into a practical use. This is the only way to truly “measure” one’s ability to produce ‘good’ landscape lighting designs.
• Developing Sketches & Concept Plans—this is an important skill that needs to be developed by all designers. We’ll spend time together or individually to develop these basic skills.
• Design of Cable Distribution Methods—although this is taught by many programs, it is limited to only what’s been recycled for decades. ELLI wishes to provide a new approach to this, as well as to teach additional concepts that will advance the designer.

Advanced Training

This is the advanced-level part of the program that can only be accessed once the General Training is completed. This coursework will act as, ‘Master Classes’, and they dig into the deeper considerations of lighting design. What you will find is that most of this progression addresses human nature and understanding why and how we function in our environment:

• Landscape Patterns—we’ll begin with what patterns are and their importance, and then dive into those existing in landscapes. Patterns are a means to control movement and to provide comfort to people. Landscape patterns will be studied for both day and nighttime conditions.
• Lighting Patterns—this will be a continuation of the landscape patterns course and specifically focus on light and shadow. Lighting design provides a different set of patterns that needs to be understood.
• Emotion and Human Psychology—this is a very important part of creating ‘good’ lighting designs. ELLI is realistically the only program studying this aspect.
• Affect & Affective Lighting Design—this training is composed of the full understanding of the principles of composition. It’s a new concept that has never been developed in landscape lighting. However, ELLI believes this is the way to future advancement within this craft. Our ability to create lighting designs that provide emotional experiences is the most challenging skill we face. Once this is achieved, then we are on the same level of effectiveness as doctors—we can provide positive health benefits to our customers.
• Common Flaws & Conditions of Stress in Lighting Design—although this course could be taught in the General Training, it seems to fit better at this level, due to our understanding of psychology and emotion. In many cases, light and lighting conditions can pose stressful conditions to humans. It’s our job to avoid these issues.
• Benefits of Light—as mentioned in Affect, this is where we can better contribute to society. We have the ability to provide human health benefits, so that people can live better and healthier lives. We will discuss common ailments and identify how certain affective lighting measures can provide positive results against them.

Why Sign-Up?

There are three important questions to ask yourself:

1. Are YOU happy with where you are at in performing landscape lighting design?
2. Do YOU believe you are better than your competition in landscape lighting design?
3. What other landscape lighting design educational offerings are there?

Let’s consider the first two questions…about your current abilities and how you might compare to everyone else in this profession. The first question asks if you want to continue to progress…to continue to learn and develop in this craft. Do you want to?

The second question asks you to compare yourself to all others. How do you effectively gauge this? Currently, there is no real means to measure performance and skills as a lighting designer. In most cases, it’s a subjective analysis. However, what if you could measure yourself based on more objective measures? ELLI has established these basic measures. The Design Training Program will allow you to advance well beyond that of your competition.

The third question should make you compare other programs to that of ELLI’s. There are only a few programs available…all are good in their own right. But, each of the others is very limited in its end-result. Consider the graduates of these programs and ask yourself the following of them:

• Are any of these individuals truly recognized by their peers as leaders in the landscape lighting design community?
• How many of these graduates are recognized nationally, regionally, or locally for their works?
• Who or what entities are recognizing these graduates?

These questions listed above are to make you think about what is really gained by these other programs. My point is to question what’s really being done out there to advance those who seek true advancement. What do these graduates really gain in 1 to 5 days of educational exposure, because that’s what is currently offered? Is that enough time to be considered, “advanced” or an “expert” or “the best”? Think about this for a moment, as these titles or claims are being used by many.

YOU should be asking yourself, is that good enough for you? If not, then the ELLI Design Training Program is your best opportunity for real advancement. If you are serious about your career in this area of design, then please sign-up below to be considered for the Spring session, 2022. There is no financial commitment at this point, more information will be coming out by the end of this year. ELLI will be limiting participation to 20-30 designers for this first round.