July 20, 2024
5 Things to Know: July 20
A peek inside a NYC museum with 60,000 lighting fixtures. Plus, lighting designer duos launch two new podcasts.
Here's a roundup of some of the week's happenings curated to help lighting people stay informed.
1. Met Museum's Lighting: An Art Form
Lighting at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art is an intricate task, balancing art illumination with preservation. Andrzej Poskrobko, a “lamper” for 16 years, and his team manage around 60,000 fixtures. Special casings protect artifacts from heat and UV rays, while the lighting design team carefully adjusts beams to highlight art without damage, according to The New York Times.
Interestingly, the article points out that only 30 percent of the transition to LED sources has been completed so far. According to the Times, “The bulbs — a mixture of halogen, fluorescent and incandescent sources — are becoming obsolete or their quality has declined. The lighting team is in the midst of converting all of the lighting to the more efficient and longer lasting LED bulbs. LED bulbs also make it easier to control individual beams of light.”
New York Times publishes "Keeping the Lights on at the Met Museum Is an Art in Itself," a fascinating look at the museum's behind-the-scenes operations that maintain 60,000 lighting fixtures.https://t.co/cUPTaGKNWd
— Inside Lighting (@InsLighting) July 20, 2024
The lighting designers' role extends beyond basic illumination. They employ varied techniques, like using light attics and specific lamps to prevent overheating, and design custom lighting for each exhibit. Head designer Amy Nelson emphasizes the challenge and satisfaction of object exhibits, noting the importance of detailed lighting to reveal an artwork’s form and materiality.
2 . Two New Podcasts Launched by Lighting Designer Duos
Lighting Matters Podcast
Avi Mor, Principal and CEO of Morlights in Chicago, and Lisa Reed, Principal of Reed Burkett Lighting Design (RBLD) in St. Louis, have introduced a new video podcast, Lighting Matters. This podcast, featuring co-hosts and a rotating panel of guests, delves into the pivotal “whys” behind lighting design choices and addresses challenging questions in the field.
Lighting Matters offers insights from conversations traditionally held in private, providing a rare glimpse into the minds of lighting experts. The first episode, sponsored by Luminii Lighting, features Dan Weissman, Associate Principal & Director of Lam Labs at Lam Partners, discussing the design process and tools like 3D Studio Max to enhance client presentations.
Whelmed Podcast
Katherine Stekr of HLB Lighting Design and Rachel Fitzgerald of Stantec have launched the Whelmed Podcast, a podcast not necessarily about lighting but orchestrated by two lighting designers from very prominent firms. Stekr and Fitzgerald, former coworkers, describe the podcast as a supportive community where listeners can be their authentic selves, share real experiences, and find joy in everyday moments. The podcast aims to celebrate wins, big and small, and learn from each other's journeys.
In Episode 2, Stekr and Fitzgerald interview Brittany Lynch, Senior Lighting Designer with Colorado-based Clanton & Associates.
3. Signify Reaches Young Consumers with Influencers
In India, Signify is focusing on digital marketing and influencer partnerships to engage younger generations, as highlighted in a recent article by Afaqs. Nikhil Gupta, head of marketing, strategy and government affairs at Signify Greater India, emphasizes that the brand maintains its market presence through its Philips line, offering advanced lighting solutions for both consumer and professional applications.
Signify's marketing strategy heavily relies on digital platforms to target specific audiences effectively. Gupta explains that digital marketing allows for precise audience engagement, making it ideal for the brand's professional and consumer segments.
Celebrity endorsements and influencer collaborations play a significant role in Signify India's marketing approach. Partnering with Bollywood actor Sanya Malhotra in 2022, Signify taps into her strong social media presence to connect with younger audiences. Gupta notes that influencers, especially in technology and home decor, are crucial for promoting new products and providing authentic feedback. This strategy helps maintain the legacy and appeal of the Philips brand among both young and older generations.
4. Presidential Fears
According to a recent feature in Kosova Press, United States President Benjamin Harrison and his family avoided using the light switches installed in the White House on February 3, 1889, fearing electrocution. This concern was understandable given the rudimentary state of home wiring at the time. Consequently, White House staff were responsible for operating the lights, turning them on in the morning and off at night.
The electrical installation, part of a larger project also involving the State, War, and Navy buildings, was conducted by the Edison Company. Initially, electric lighting was meant to supplement gaslight, with wires buried in plaster and round switches installed in each room. Despite the new lighting system, the Harrison family continued to use candles, natural gas, and lanterns at night.
The Kosova Press article did not explore why President Harrison didn't just use Alexa voice commands to control the White House lighting.
5. Licensing of Interior Designers
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has introduced a bill that would license the profession of Commercial Interior Design.
As of 2024, at least 25 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have some form of regulation for the interior design profession. This regulation typically comes in the form of either Practice Acts or Title Acts.
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Practice Acts require interior designers to be licensed to practice in that state.
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Title Acts regulate the use of specific titles, such as "Registered Interior Designer" or "Certified Interior Designer," but do not restrict the practice itself unless one uses those titles.
For example, states like Florida, Nevada, and Louisiana have stringent licensing requirements, including education, experience, and examination through the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ). In contrast, states like California have a Title Act, where designers can become certified but are not required to have a license to practice.
The legislation in Massachusetts would add the state to those with regulated interior design professions by establishing a board of registration for commercial interior designers, thereby ensuring standards and qualifications for practice.
