Lighting Sketch Series 5 - Revised

Here are the revised ceiling and lighting plans with all the outlets, data lines, and sprinklers noted.

Group 3 Exhibit

I really like the feel of these posters.  I love things that look like a sketchbook (i.e., top right), because they add a little personal touch to it, and draw the viewer in to look at every little detail.  The poster on the top left I love because it's simple, yet intriguing by using clean colors, a simple font, and different uses of scale.  The posters on the bottom right and bottom left I was drawn to because it still had that handmade touch, but it also brought cleaner lines and fonts to the table.

This is my rendition of something simple we could continue to add to as the project moves forward.  It's simple, with a personal touch [that would be less sketchy], and it brings all the necessary information to the table without being so in your face or too vague.

Light Sketch Series 5

Last Thursday, we were told to investigate what a reflected ceiling plan and lighting plan are.  We were given the option of 3 rooms in the studio arts building.  Here is my rendition of the digital lab (lighting plan = top, RCP = bottom).

Light Sketch Series 4

a.     Type of luminaire (uplight, downlight, etc.) Semi-indirect lighting.

b.     Mounting type Sconce

c.     Lamping 

d.     Construction Attached to concrete wall using wall brackets.

e.     Manufacturer (if possible or find the closest match online) 

f.      Study the photometrics of the luminaire: lumens and lighting distribution There is light distributed both up and down from the luminaire.  By having the fixtures fixed onto the wall, the light is distributed throughout the stairwell, even in the edges.  It provides for a smooth transition from the natural light to the electric light.

g.     Material and finish Aluminum and plastic.

h.     Lensing

i.      Function (fixed, adjustable, etc.) Fixed

j.      Ballasts Yes, there are ballasts on the upper side of the fixture.

k.      Environment The stairwell between the 3rd and 4th floors feels very cold and is a tighter space.  It's used only for traveling purposes and the lighting suits the needs by providing a directional feel to the stairwell.

l.      Shielding There is an aluminum barrier from the side of the fixture.  On the top, there are ballasts which help break up the light.

1. identify the purpose of the space Circulation throughout the stairwells.
2. identify the purpose of lighting, including an identification of ambient, task, accent, and sparkle lighting. Task lighting, it's a directional lighting that guides you through the different levels of the building.
3. describe the effect of each luminaire in the space. It provides a directional and informational light that helps light up the sides of the stairwell that are opposite the natural light so that one may see from any place in the stairwell.
4. based upon your observations and reflections, provide recommendations for improving the lighting environment. Since the stairwell is concrete, which gives it a colder feel, it would be more comfortable if warmer toned lamps were used instead of what is in there now.

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a.     Type of luminaire (uplight, downlight, etc.) Direct Downlight.

b.     Mounting type Pendant

c.     Lamping 

d.     Construction Hanging from high ceiling

e.     Manufacturer (if possible or find the closest match online) 

f.      Study the photometrics of the luminaire: lumens and lighting distribution By using so many luminaires, the studio space is a very well lit environment.  It provides an even amount of light throughout the open space of the work area, giving everyone the same amount of light.

g.     Material and finish Plastic

h.     Lensing

i.      Function (fixed, adjustable, etc.) Fixed

j.      Ballasts None

k.      Environment The studio space; it's an open space with high ceiling heights and full of white and gray materials.

l.      Shielding Around the lamps, there is a dome-like shaped cover that is textured plastic which diffuses the light from the sides.  However, there is no diffuser on the bottom of the light, which is what the eye goes to.

1. identify the purpose of the space Studio space, work/task lighting.
2. identify the purpose of lighting, including an identification of ambient, task, accent, and sparkle lighting. Task lighting, it's an overhead fixture that promotes work.
3. describe the effect of each luminaire in the space. The luminaires collectively provide an even amount of light that is then distributed amongst the many work surfaces.
4. based upon your observations and reflections, provide recommendations for improving the lighting environment. If you were looking for a more personal experience within your own work area, it would be beneficial to have the fixtures lower and closer to the students and a smaller scale.  Also, if the fixtures were lower and more manageable, it would also be helpful for them to be adjustable so that there is a larger personalization factor.

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a.     Type of luminaire (uplight, downlight, etc.) Downlight.

b.     Mounting type Overhead and track lighting

c.     Lamping 

d.     Construction Attached to ceiling, as well as lights attached to a track.

e.     Manufacturer (if possible or find the closest match online) 

f.      Study the photometrics of the luminaire: lumens and lighting distribution The track lighting is very directional and acts as a spotlight against the wall.  The overhead lighting helps the area become a walkway as well as a pin-up space.

g.     Material and finish Aluminum.

h.     Lensing

i.      Function (fixed, adjustable, etc.) Fixed and adjustable

j.      Ballasts There are ballasts in the overhead, fixed, lighting.

k.      Environment This area is used as a pin up space.  It's a textured wall that serves as display and is adjacent to the studio spaces.

l.      Shielding The ballasts in the overhead lighting serve as a small shield.  In the track lighting, only the end of the luminaire is exposed so that the light can be very directional and spot on.

1. identify the purpose of the space This space serves as a pin up space as well as a walkway.
2. identify the purpose of lighting, including an identification of ambient, task, accent, and sparkle lighting. Task and accent.  The track lighting is task because it serves as a spot light to what is being displayed.  The accent lighting would be the overhead fixtures that help diffuse the light and make it more than just a pin up space, it also brightens up the area.
3. describe the effect of each luminaire in the space. It provides a directional light as well as a glow.  It helps you read and navigate the space.
4. based upon your observations and reflections, provide recommendations for improving the lighting environment. I would include more task lighting so that the wall is brighter and its more inviting so that the work being pinned up is displayed in the way that the artist/creator would want it shown.

Vanstory Co. Trip

This past Thursday, our class took a trip to the Vanstory Co. of Greensboro.  There, we learned about the many different kinds of LED lamps, such as TLED [what we see most often], VTLED [a soft, directional type of effect], ACLED [coffered, moderate directional], and RTLED [which uses old fluorescent fixtures  and modifies them to use LED lighting].  It was very interesting to see the many types of LED, the application of these lamps, and the various effects that can be produced.

Light Sketch Series 3

These measurements were taken with a light meter at 3' high and approximately 11:30 am [in the stairwell between the 3rd and 4th floors.]

Light Sketch Series 2

1. identify the purpose of the space
2. identify the purpose of lighting, including an identification of ambient, task, accent, and sparkle lighting.
3. identify the lamp/s
4. describe the effect of each light source in each space.
5. do you notice any aspect of Flynn’s subjective impressions?
6. based upon your observations and reflections, provide recommendations for improving the lighting environment.

Compact Fluorescent

a. under studio desk, clamp light.

b. task lighting

c. compact fluorescent

d. it tends to be more directional, but still has a diffused edge

e. this lamp tended to wash out the fabric and skewed all the colors

f. the light was almost too bright and i believe that's why the colors were so washed out, they were overpowered, so maybe having the lamp further away, or a lesser wattage

LED

a. simple push lights

b. task lighting

c. LED

d. the light effect was very directional and presented basically just a spot where the light was shining, it was hard to get the light to cross over the whole fabric swatch

e. this lamp produced a very clear representation of the fabric

f. since the lighting effect is so directional, adding more lamps would help broaden the effect

MR-16

a. track lighting on edge of pin-up space

b. accent lighting

c. MR-16

d. although had a strong sense of direction, it demonstrated slightly diffused edges

e. this lighting effect brought out the cooler colors while enhancing the gray tones

f. being a great spotlight for presentations, the mr-16's are very effective, however, if you were wanting to broaden that, i would recommend using more lights that are closer together to prevent the breaks in the lighting

Metal Halide

a. overhead studio lighting

b. task lighting

c. metal halide

d. since it is an overhead light, it's hard to see the direct effects on a surface.  however, the multiple lights overhead cause for interesting shadow patterns while producing enough light to illuminate the space
e. this light tended to bring out the warmer undertones in the fabric
f. if the lights would have been lower, it would more than likely create a different and more directional lighting effect.

Light Sketch Series 1

For this assignment, we were told to make a 12x12x12 light model. My group decided to play with different layering techniques in which we created two roof filters to created streaks and points of light, using color as well as white light.

Essay: How Light Can Affect Health

The power of light is something that few may consider during their lives. The changing of light has the ability to affect our mood due to increases and decreases of melatonin in your skin which you would think you would have the peak melatonin in the summer, but in fact it increases in darkness and promotes sleep. Another thing you may not realize is that light actually has an effect on your metabolism, heart rate patterns, and many other physical body functions. These things may be overlooked, unless of course you have a disorder like SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), which is caused by inadequate exposure to the sun. Inadequate sun exposure also leads to a weaker immune system and could provoke diabetes and many other bodily dysfunctions. Coming from me, a person who has not really heard of these sun related disorders, before reading these articles, I had no idea that the human body could be affected so drastically by the changing of light. It is so intriguing to see that sunlight affects more than just emotion. It affects your bodily rhythm, as well as how you function on a day-to-day basis. Also, it is interesting to see that something as simple as ‘Daylight Savings Time’ could have so many negative effects on the body. It is similar to jet lag. You sort of have to make yourself adjust to it or else you will have consequences. Although there are some ways to trick your body into adjusting, there are some things that can only be helped by bringing in artificial light, avoiding the sun, or making yourself more available to the outside world.

Essay: Light Revealing Experience

The bond between a place and humanity branches from experience. When you enter a space, the way the light is cast has the potential to change your mood, bring you back to an earlier time, or even give you a false feeling of warmth or coldness. Light also varies from place to place. It is dependent on geographical area, climate, the surrounding nature, and time of day, etcetera. For instance, if you live in the southern part of the states you will notice that there are often bigger windows allowing more light in, which in turn gives you the feeling of warmth and comfort. In the readings it states that in industrialized areas, it is harder to experience the wonders of natural lighting. I have never thought of that because I grew up in a suburb of Charlotte, so when I went to the city, I was drawn to the more scenic areas rather than all of the skyscrapers. But when I began thinking about it, it is true. When tall buildings on a regular basis surround you, it seems as if he only sunlight you are getting is through the glass in a high rise. It is more difficult to see the sunrise and sunset because the buildings break up the flow of sunlight and you mainly see shadows compared the sunbeams. My theory is that is why you can tell a distinct difference in office spaces versus homes, or dining places. Lighting is affected due to the trade it is being designed for. When you are in an office, you are used to constantly having artificial light around you and you are not getting a lot of natural light or fresh air for that matter. So when you walk into a place with that sense of lighting, you are aware that is what is being conveyed. However, when you enter a restaurant, it is meant to give you, the customer, the comfortable feeling of home, so the lights are dim, it is a comfortable atmosphere, which makes you feel comfortable eating, drinking, and being social.

The way light is diffused is also a psychological mind game. Designers try to mimic things in nature by using a wide range of materials and structural pieces, which can create different effects that also evoke a variety of emotions, using natural and artificial lighting. Architects can manipulate a space by adding screens, stained glass, etc to make an area reminiscent of a forest in Finland or the sunset in New Mexico. The simple tricks, like using brick and wood to stimulate warmth, are the things that bring us mental and sensual pleasure without trying. It is something that make us feel welcome and at home. Whether you prefer the warmer side of design or the cooler side of design, lighting can change it all. For instance, if the area has plentiful shade and cooler colors, it is seen as a chilly room. Which to some, fits right in with them and brings them psychological relief.

Though it may be obvious, the change of seasons has a dramatic effect on lighting and the way it is portrayed. In North Carolina, especially, the bright summer sun is, or so it seems, hotter, higher, and the light is a little bit hazier. It is so humid especially in this area of the United States that when I began to think about it, it made perfect sense. Also, I realized that the reason I probably do not like the winter months, besides the obvious fact of it being cold, is that the light out tends to be more gray and a little bit more dreary compared to summer, or even spring and fall. The light being affected by the time of year is a concept that when you think about it, it makes perfect sense, it is just like an extended view of the daily changes you witness from dawn to dusk. Light can also be transformed by ornamentation. In harsher climates, as the reading showed, you can add a touch of gold to an existing gray backdrop and it adds the sense of comfort that you did not have before.

After reading this article, it has opened my eyes to the reactions we subconsciously have to lighting and the manipulation of lighting. It is very interesting to realize that what you may think is as simple as lighting is actually a little more complex than you think, it has the ability to change your mood, your perception, and even your feel of a space.

Los Angeles.

I haven't blogged in awhile, but I started creeping on blogs of friends, peers, and professors and decided I'm going to pick it back up. Also, I'm going to start doing a collage notebook of every day events. Maybe I'll even start today. Stay posted...

Wrapping Project : Part 1.

This is part one of the 'Wrapping' project. The first image is the model made of 400 wooden blocks. We were instructed to build a model that represented a numerical pattern. I chose the Butterfly Effect and specifically how Historical American Events (from 1960-today) affects the music of the decade, and how the music derived from historical events affects drug use.

The next step of the project was to 'wrap' the project in any way you see fit. I chose to use different colored string to emulate the Butterfly Effect and how one strand can affect another part of the project.

After wrapping the model, we were instructed to have a flat pattern representing the wrapping itself. I chose to take photos in plan view and trace over the lines and patterns that the string created to come up with the various patterns you see above.

Illustrator Rendering.

Using the same wireframe, we had to render the space using illustrator. I preferred this one over the photoshop rendering simply because I could easily manipulate the space and go crazy with gradients and the shadow tools.

Photoshop Rendering.

As a class, we were given a wireframe and it was up to us to render it, using photoshop, in any way we'd like. This was one of my first tries with photoshop...I loved it and have learned so much from it.

New Semester. New Year. New Outlooks.

So, over the past few years, I've become an addict of the Avett Brothers. And today, this particular lyric has been on my mind all day. I'm determined to let this outlook be my motivation throughout this semester. I'm typically worried about other peoples work and how my work doesn't even compare to theirs. But I shouldn't. I should be letting who I am come across in the work that I put out. I guess you could call this my new year resolution. New semester, new year, new outlook.