At the Master’s programme in Lighting Design, the work will cover both daylight and artificial light in the crossing between three scientific fields; media technology, engineering and architecture. The purpose of the programme is for graduates to have an academic- technological as well as process-related approach to lighting design, and not least, a particular sense in designing with light in virtual and physical spaces.
Full curriculum (2020) can be found and downloaded from here.
1ST SEMESTER: SEEING THE LIGHT
During the first semester a range of themes will be presented such as the interplay between the basic physical elements of light, lighting technologies, digital media, context, human factors, light perception and creative knowledge-based design methods. These topics will be introduced in the courses and related to the semester projects, where lighting design must create new potentials in existing interior spaces.
The semester is comprised of a 15 ECTS group based project module and three course modules each of 5 ECTS.
These basic issues of the three academic fields will be integrated and combined in project work under the theme “Seeing the Light”. The purpose is to develop competences in designing with light within architecture and design, science and media technology. Through the projects the complexity and interplay between these areas will be trained when designing with light in real and virtual spaces.
The three courses cowers the fundamental principles for the interplay between light, space, technology and human perception. One subject will be the “experience of light and space”. Real-world studies of the interplay between light, space, texture and the human experience are included in the course “Meaning of Light: Light and Space”. The course “Lighting Fundamentals”, will cower the basic photometric and colorimetric terms as well as the processes in perception of the luminous environment. The course “Rendered Light Simulation” will introduce digital simulation of light. The three courses propose to link subjective observations and the metrics behind as well as the digital simulation of light.
2ND SEMESTER: CREATING WITH LIGHT; INTERACTIVE LIGHTING
During the second semester the students will build upon the fundamental understanding they have gained during the first semester. They are expected to create an interactive lighting project based on a range of themes that will be presented, such as: state of the art in lighting research and a deeper understanding of interactive lighting technologies, digital media, context, human factors, light perception and creative knowledge-based design methods. These topics will be introduced in the courses and related to the semester projects, where interactive lighting design must create new potentials in existing outdoor spaces.
These basic issues of the three academic fields will be integrated and combined in project work under the theme “Creating with Light”. The purpose is to develop competences in interactive designing with light within architecture and design, science and media technology. Through the projects the complexity and interplay between these areas will be trained when designing with light in real and virtual spaces.
The three courses cover: interplay between interactive light, space, technology and human perception. One subject will be “light and context” where real-world studies of the interplay between light, space, texture and the human experience are included in the course “Light and Context”. The course “Evidence-based Lighting Design” will cover the state of the art in lighting research on topics related to indoor and outdoor activities. The course “Intelligent Lighting Design” will build on digital simulation of light and interactive systems. The three courses propose to link state of the art in lighting research with subjective observations and the technical side of controlling and simulating light.
3RD SEMESTER: LIGHTING DESIGN INNOVATION
On the 3rd semester, the project work will take up more time than on the previous two semesters. The theme is “Lighting Design Innovation”, and you are going to synthesise knowledge to create innovative solutions within the field of lighting design. You could include example commercial aspects or socio-cultural implications compared to generation of scientific solutions.
At this stage, you are going to form your own approach to the field based on your background and specialisation.
The course “Focus Area” is a mini project where you get the chance to work further with methodology and processes in lighting design within a specific subject. In the course “Creative Innovation and Entrepreneurship”, you are given an introduction to the various factors that are in play when starting a business in the media and lighting industry. You also have the possibility to choose an elective course from another programme.
4TH SEMESTER: MASTER’S THESIS IN LIGHTING DESIGN
The 4th semester is the final semester of the Master’s programme in Lighting Design. Here, you will work on your master’s thesis. There are no courses on the 4th semester, because it is dedicated entirely to working on your thesis, which is done either individually or in small groups.
