DESIGN CERTIFICATION PROGRAM Certified Outdoor Lighting Designer (COLD) 2010 v5.2 Program Development by: Established 2007 Design Committee Members Contributing Committee Members Matthew Broyles ( 07-10) Janet Lennox Moyer ( 08-10) Mark Carlson ( 07-10) Tom Williams ( 07) Committee Chairman Nels Peterson ( 07-10) Pam Bingham ( 08-10)
SCOPE OF PROGRAM AOLP is offering its membership an advanced level of specialized training and observation in landscape & architectural lighting design. We are developing this discipline by engaging lighting designers to analyze and better perform their work through peer group studies, in depth project observation, professional seminars and personal growth projects. Other considerations will be addressed to further advance each participants level of knowledge, which will include new technology awareness, industry regulation, standards and codes and Darksky initiatives such as, the Model Lighting Ordinance (MLO). Our primary goal is to promote outdoor lighting design excellence and to allow for the development of the designers individual style. The lighting designer is expected to learn a series of fundamental principles that are universally acknowledged to form the basis of good and responsible lighting design. Successful completion of this program will take a total of four (4) years and involves the submittal of various growth projects, personal study and a final presentation project to a group of peers. PURPOSE OF THIS PROGRAM We have established this program to address the growing need for advanced levels of outdoor lighting design. Currently, this is the only program of its kind that is available for such advancement. AOLP wants to fulfill this need to lead the industry in developing this discipline. Currently, we are facing several industry problems; energy conservation, sky glow & light glare, and other regulatory concerns. Our organization feels that it is important to address these concerns head-on, so that we may better control the direction of our trade and assist in the better use of our environment. The purpose of our program is to address the following: To incorporate and ensure good & responsible lighting design practices To offer advanced levels of outdoor lighting design training and to develop professionalism with our designers To gain industry recognition and market exposure for our members and the AOLP To understand and communicate the emotional impact of an outdoor lighting design To address growing regulatory concerns and trade-related issues To address lamp technology and the resulting change to the lighting industry Upon completion, it is our desire to have a pool of Certified Outdoor Lighting Designer s (COLD) available to advance this program, this specialized industry and the AOLP. This designation will encourage the advancement of individuals to lead our industry. These certified members will be recognized nationally for their efforts. The AOLP is in agreement that this program needs to have substance and show credibility, if it is to mean anything. Due to the level of education associated with this training and the amount of participation involved, we believe this program will become the industry standard. Another benefit of this program is that it will be a valuable tool for other organizations and industry related trades.
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION We will be implementing this program through the use of selected AOLP outdoor lighting designers and other industry professionals, whom have shown successful lighting design ability. These selected designers will implement this program through instructional seminars and peer-group participation. There may be an occasion where a panel of facilitators will interact together to offer various perspectives and input on a subject. Group interaction is highly encouraged, as this will offer individual growth and benefit the group as a whole. Program participants will have the option of completing the entire certification program or completing any number of years depending on whether a final certification is desired. Only full completion of the program (four total years) will allow for the participant to receive the designation of Certified Outdoor Lighting Designer (COLD). The participant must register in advance for the desired year of the program, in order to get any official credit. Once the participant agrees to gain credit and be involved within the program, he/ she must be in attendance and complete each session throughout the conference. The Design Committee will be responsible for the tracking and attendance of each participant of the program. Control over this program will be performed by the Design Committee. They will track performance and document advancement through each phase of the participant s learning. All administrative activities associated with this program will be performed by the AOLP management company, to include the coordination of continuing education requirements. As part of this program, the Awards Program will be under the guidance and control of the Design Committee. This allowance will better serve the AOLP educational efforts and promote lighting design. Our Awards Program will be designed to encourage creativeness. It is our goal to provide an environment where the beauty of lighting design can be appreciated and learning is maximized. A Design Gallery will be set up where the participant will be expected to submit photo work for peer-group and conference attendee viewing. In addition to this viewing, a judging process will take place prior to the conference via the AOLP website. EXPECTATIONS FOR THE PARTICIPANT This program is comprised of several course sessions and incorporates the use of a course text book written by Janet Lennox Moyer. We will expect the participant to be open to learning and to conduct themselves in a way which allows for this growth. And lastly, we will expect all participant s to be involved and participatory in the program. The following expectations are required: To effectively communicate thoughts verbally when presenting lighting designs To understand and utilize proper lighting terms and descriptive words To be in attendance of all sessions for the designated program year To actively participate in sessions by offering feedback
To be considerate and professional with all participants To complete all assigned personal growth projects and course readings To submit photo-work of a project for the peer-group final presentation To enter and provide photo work of projects to the Awards Program and the Design Gallery To be open to critique from other classmates & instructors, as a means of better understanding and learning this discipline PROGRAM FORMAT & SESSION LAYOUT The complete certification program consists of four (4) total years. The first three (3) years will be spent learning subject matter of advanced levels, while performing hands-on studies/ projects after each year s instruction. Upon completion of the 3 rd year, the participant will be expected to present one of his/ her projects to a peer group & design review panel during the final year (4 th year). This program will follow much of the topics listed within our designated text book, The Landscape Lighting Book, 2 nd edition. Other references will be suggested throughout the program for additional learning and resource. Program Year Summary Review Year 1 addresses the Why of lighting design. Sessions will cover the importance of good lighting design and basic lighting fundamentals. More importantly, we engage the lighting designer to fully understand the importance of light, vision and it s affects on the mind, emotionally speaking. Year 2 addresses the How of lighting design layout and application. Participants will look deeper into the design process, where they apply the various stages to plan presentation. Additionally, the participant will learn how to arrange the various lighting content within the structure of a set of plans. Emphasis will be placed on residential applications for this year. Other topics will include equipment selection and the lighting applications used with various plant forms. Year 3 addresses more Detailed Applications in lighting design, to include water features, sculptures, commercial settings, etc. This final year will integrate the understanding of photometric charts and commercial lighting basics. Other topics will include the understanding of as-built plans and the documentation of work. Year 4 addresses the Presentation Skills of the participant. They will be expected to present their own final project (conceptual lighting plan) to their peer group, the design committee and a special guest. The special guest will be a seasoned professional presenter, who normally performs such functions. This presentation will allow the participant the opportunity to get excellent feedback on their presentation skills. The overall goal of the AOLP is to develop a core group of Certified Outdoor Lighting Designers whom can continue to promote good and responsible lighting design, the AOLP, and the industry as a whole.
The following outline provides a more detailed look at the course content: YEAR 1: Text Chapters Introduction to Design Certification Program Purpose of program, course overview and expectations Fundamentals of lighting design 1 Human visual system the eye and light 2 & 3 Psychological aspects of light emotional values 3 Applying good lighting design techniques Personal growth project & studies Year 1 YEAR 2: Review of Yr. 1 projects with group peer reviews Seminar on graphics, plan layouts and plan content (Day 2): Introduction & overview of Year 2 with expectations Residential work and lighting design applications 11 The design process 4 Fixtures, lamps, controls and accessory use 6, 7 & 9 Plant materials and understanding the landscape 14 & 15 Personal growth project & studies Year 2 YEAR 3: Review of Yr. 2 projects with group peer reviews Case study of commercial job applications & photometric charts (Day 2): Introduction & overview of Year 3 with expectations Commercial work and lighting design applications 12 & 13 Documentation of work as-built plans 5 Advanced lighting applications water features, sculptures, etc. 16-19 Personal growth project Year 3 YEAR 4: Final project presentations to peer group & panel/ evaluations The Design Certification Program will offer additional seminars at each conference setting that will benefit not only the lighting designer, but all attending members. Credit will be given to the program participants and a majority of these seminars will be required for program certification.
TESTING Lighting design, by nature, is subjective and it is difficult to test on. Therefore, we will not be administering any written examination. However, as a final test, we will expect the participant to review each year s study content and perform a presentation to a group of peers & the Design panel. During this presentation, the peers & panel will conduct questioning, where the panel will be evaluating the content, clarity and skills presented. An overall score will be calculated to determine passage of the program. The presenter will be required to score at least a 70% passing rate. FEES The AOLP is offering this specialized program to all of its members, whom are in good standing. Each participant must pay an annual fee of $ 150.00 to be listed as a registered participant. CONTINUING EDUCATION (CEC) GUIDELINES As with the Certified Low Voltage Lighting Technician (CLVLT) program, the Design Certification Program believes that continuing education is a very important aspect of the success of this program. Once the lighting designer successfully completes the certification process and becomes a Certified Outdoor Lighting Designer (COLD), then they must perform the renewal process every two (2) years. Each COLD certified member must earn a total of ten (10) CEUs per year from any of the listed tasks, as follows: (6) units Attending the annual conference (1) unit Submission of written article to trade magazine (design related) (2) units Conducting training workshop/ seminar (design related) (1) unit Serving as proctor for certification/ testing process in program (1) unit Per hour of training/ learning in seminars & workshops (3) units Serving program as facilitator or design committee member (2) units Purchase and reading of design associated book (2) units Submission of research data to advance industry & learning The Design Committee will determine and approve all tasks submitted for continuing education credit. Each certified COLD will be responsible to submit their own documentation and proof of any tasks accomplished over the two (2) year period.