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ELLI is an educational resource that caters specifically to the ‘Design’ component associated to Landscape Lighting. No person will be discriminated against based on experience level. However, there are conditional measures that must be met if one is expected to be “certified.” It should be known that the great majority of those practicing landscape lighting today lack the necessary knowledge and ability to provide for ‘good’ lighting design. I say this from the perspective of understanding and implementing ‘good’ compositional principles. This is a big problem within our profession, yet it has existed for decades without concern.
ELLI will no longer accept poor practices and the lack of knowledge as an excuse to perform in this manner. ELLI is the only entity willing to confront this problem by providing the necessary training to correct these conditions. As a distinct profession, we cannot continue to claim this is an art form, which it is, if we cannot identify “how” it is an art form.
One of the reasons why the landscape lighting profession hasn’t corrected this deficiency is because our industry does not teach two things: 1) Awareness, and 2) Discernment. Each of these considerations are important when evaluating each space of the project site. Most service providers rush through a site without fully understanding it. In other words, they do not spend enough time studying it; this is the ‘Awareness’ part. ‘Discernment’ is the process of taking this information and determining how best to apply lighting applications to it.
The Landscape Lighting Designer must learn how to Discern each space that is to be illuminated. ELLI teaches this and prioritizes this approach so that designers can design effectively in their work. There are two questions that ELLI first asks:
Both of these questions must be defined and understood by the designer, and it is called the ‘Design Intent.’ The lighting applications and illumination levels cannot be properly utilized until this is known. This is not taught by most programs.
The primary reason that ELLI is valuable or important to the lighting design community is because it provides both understanding and education for those seeking to learn quickly. Much of these insights have been gained by practicing the trade and 30 years of learning. Can designers learn on their own…yes. But, are they willing to wait decades to understand it? There is no easy path forward in gaining real, hands-on experience. However, ELLI can shorten the time it takes to get into an advanced position within the design community.
Lastly, I would like to quote an internationally recognized landscape architect, Mr. Laurie Olin, for his words about being relevant and recognized for your work: “If the majority of work is Ordinary, then the Extraordinary will be recognized.” Therefore, how do you become recognized? ELLI can get you into this position, if you are willing to be accountable, disciplined, and dedicated to the process.
ELLI is committed to providing a Human-Centric approach to landscape lighting design. Our training puts people first and at the center of the design solution. It is a ‘Qualitative’ approach to design versus what the majority does, which is based on a ‘Quantitative’ approach. By ensuring that the human-experience is the priority, we can better apply light that provides a positive, enjoyable, and non-stressful condition.
ELLI has created a library of educational videos that apply to technology, art, and design. Each video will greatly enhance the knowledge a landscape lighting designer needs to perform his/her work. Each video is part of a progressive learning process, as they all work together to ensure advancement and growth. Currently, it is the only organized training program available for designers.
Mark Carlson believes that the ‘Designer’ is the most important part of a successful lighting design. The designer’s intent and final outcome all rely on the knowledge and experience of the designer. Therefore, this role must be taken more seriously by our profession.
Mark Carlson has been involved in this trade profession for over 3 decades. There are only a handful of landscape lighting designers today that have dedicated as much of their lives to learning and studying the landscape lighting design art form as Mark has. It is for this reason that he has established ELLI to carry on after he is gone…as a means to help guide the next generation in providing ‘good’ and proper lighting designs.
It’s truly a shame that more in this profession aren’t willing to advance beyond the status quo. There are many reasons or excuses for this, but they usually fall into the following:
The landscape lighting community must provide hope for the next generation of designers and installers. ELLI’s commitment to advancing this trade practice and art form is unlike any other entity. There is some good knowledge and experience out there, but most of it will be lost due to the lack of motivation to preserve it.
When landscape lighting was first established in 1934 by Frank B. Nightingale, his vision was that of an art form. His teachings were about understanding the craft as an “experience”. He utilized lights, sound, and the elements in nature to emotionally impact people. Everything was coordinated and choreographed to engage in these visual experiences.
However, much of what Nightingale provided hasn’t been taught, or it has been forgotten over the decades. In fact, it’s likely that 90% of all landscape lighting providers don’t even know who Nightingale is! ELLI is the first entity to officially endorse his efforts, as a means to advance the discipline of Landscape Lighting Design.
As mentioned earlier, Mark Carlson has developed a curriculum of classes to educate people in these lighting design skills. It begins by educating designers on the foundational principles established in Composition; the same ones used in Art. Without this basic understanding, it is highly likely you will always perform at a mediocre or poor level of lighting design. Compositional proficiency is the gateway to advancement. Landscape Lighting Design is a ‘Visual Art’ and should be treated as one.
There are many problems associated with the landscape lighting trade practices. Without going into several lengthy details, let’s just say that these problems have hurt our profession, and it is why many don’t respect the work we do.
Of all of these problems, the greatest is the lack of Consumer Understanding. Consumers are clueless to know what ‘good’ and proper lighting is. The following reasons apply:
To summarize all of this, the consumer doesn’t know what ‘good’ lighting is and why this matters. And to dumb-down matters more, they only seem to care about whether the lights go “on” and “off.” That’s a poor, low-bar standard. It’s no wonder why they hire poor practitioners.
One of the big problems the overall lighting industry has is in its messaging to consumers. Every lighting organization and manufacturer provides a message that speaks to the tradesperson or professional, and this means nothing to the consumer. The message should be to “Why lighting is important.” Shouldn’t it be something like the “Betterment in Human Health.” Everyone can understand that our health and well-being are what we need in life, as well as why lighting is important. It’s not about technology and it’s not about aesthetics.