Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

An understanding of the many sometimes conflicting issues associated with lighting design is essential for the understanding of what constitutes good lighting. It is important for students to think of lighting as both a science and an art form and to give you an opportunity to explore the many factors and constraints that lighting manufacturers have to work with in the design of a new product, and designers have to consider as part of the development of a lighting solution. This is an essential unit for people working in lighting as it gives an insight into many of the topics that follow in this course and in more advanced courses.

Aims

This unit aims to introduce students to the basics of lighting design, taking into account both the requirements for lighting a space, as well as the practical issues. Both indoor and outdoor spaces are included. The software packages used are easily understood, as the aim of the unit is to teach students about lighting design, not how to use a lighting package.

Objectives

Essentially this unit is designed to encourage students to think about many of the issues of lighting, and in particular how lighting must work as an aid to people in their work and leisure activities. On completion of this unit you should be able to:

1. Design simple and complex interior lighting using manual and computer-aided methods, including design for effect and atmosphere.

2. Read and interpret the standards and regulations associated with different types of the following specialised lighting situations, street lighting, sports lighting, emergency lighting, and general public access lighting, including safety and environmental factors.

3. Read, critically analyse and make comparative judgements on manufacturer's data for products used in public lighting situations.

4. Design, using computer software packages, exterior lighting for roads, sport, and general public access lighting applications.

5. Evaluate the strengths and limitations of various soft-ware packages for lighting design.

Content

Visual Appraisal - subjective assessment of existing installations, analysis of the visual task, uniformity of illumination and quality, direction of light, shadows, effect of object size, contrast and colour, movement, subjective factors affecting the user, reflection factors

Quality of Light - Qualitative (AS1680) : Mood, Atmosphere, Appearance, Social Impact, Modelling Basic Glare Considerations : Discomfort Glare, Disability Glare; Veiling Reflection : Contrast Rending Factor; Uniformity : Ratios, Upper and Lower Limits

Introduction to Lighting Codes - National (Australian) ; AS1680 Interior Lighting, AS2293 Emergency Lighting, AS2560 Sports Lighting, AS1158 Public Lighting; International Codes Sources : CIE/ISO

Basic Lighting Calculations - Lumen Method Room Index, Utilisation Factor, Reflectances, Luminaire Efficiency, Application of Limitations; Point by Point Method, Inverse Square Law, Polar Diagrams, Lumen Loss Factors; British and NA Zonal Method (IESNA Handbook)

Lighting Design Applications - interior lighting, emergency lighting, daylighting and sunlight, stage lighting, sports lighting, road & public lighting

Introduction to Computers in Design Work - Hardware, Software, Algorithms, Photometric Data Formats (CIE and IESNA), Interpretation

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit essentially covers both the art and science of lighting and you will explore the large range of factors that all contribute to what makes good lighting for a particular application. Group discussions and evaluations of examples of lighting installations (both displayed visually and in site visits) will feature heavily in this unit. In addition there will be a large component of computer work where students will work individually or in pairs on simple design problems.
This unit will be available both externally and internally. The main avenue for accessing materials and communication with staff will be through QUT's Blackboard system.
This unit is being taught concurrently with an undergraduate offering of the same subject. University policy permits that postgraduate and undergraduate students attend the same lectures. Separate discussion groups will be provided for postgraduate students where student numbers allow. As a postgraduate student you will be required to complete separate assessment tasks.

Assessment

In this unit you will be assessed primarily on your understanding of the concepts of lighting design and the qualitative assessment of the lighting of a space, and your ability to critically analyse a lighting design.
For successful completion of this unit you will be expected to obtain an acceptable level of achievement in all areas of assessment.Students will receive individual feedback on their written assignments and computer assignments as part of the grading of the assignment.

Assessment name: Critique
Description: Formative and summative Analysis of visual concepts and lighting designs.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: See Blackboard Site

Assessment name: Discussion Forum
Description: Formative and summative Participation and contribution to group discussions.
Relates to objectives: 2, 4 and 5.
Weight: 10%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: See Blackboard Site

Assessment name: Project (applied)
Description: Open book Summative Computer-based design exercises based on specified design criteria.
Relates to objectives: 4 and 5.
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: See Blackboard Site

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

1. Julian W (1999) Lighting: Basic Concepts, University of Sydney
2. Lighting and Human Performance II, EPRI Technical Report 1006415
3. Pritchard DC (1992) Lighting, 5th Edition, Longman
4. IESNA Lighting Handbook, 9th Edition, Editor M Rea

Students should also make use of the Web to source general information on relevant products and materials.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 16-May-2012