Learning about Light, How lighting educators are contributing to the professionalisation of lighting design.

The professional status of architectural lighting design varies in different parts of the world. Those of us practicing in countries with a long history of independent lighting design like to think we are working within an established profession. Yet, in 2009, a shockwave was sent through the lighting design community when an urgent IALD press release warned that “The Texas State Legislature has passed legislation that will have the unintended consequence of outlawing an entire profession--lighting design.” The Texas politicians were trying to prevent the dangerous excesses of ‘cowboy’ electrical work. The shock for the lighting community was that, for the law makers, we did not exist as a profession, only qualified architects, engineers and electricians were to be allowed to design lighting installations. After much lobbying, the issue was resolved and the law was amended, but it should remain as a sobering fact. It is simply not enough for us to think of ourselves as professionals - it is essential that other professions and legislators recognise architectural lighting design as a unique profession.