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2009 Annual LED Luminaire Design Competition |
While light emitting diodes (LEDs) have been used as indicators in most electronic equipment for some time, it is only recently that LED technology has begun to find niches in the general lighting market as an energy-efficient source. Undergraduate students in Professor Michael Siminovitch's "Designing with Light" studio course are getting hands-on experience in designing energy-efficient lighting, putting graduating designers at the forefront of a growing industry.
Students in the course are given LED technology kits with the goal of prototyping a full working LED luminaire. Students explore fundamental concepts in lighting, materials, and aesthetically pleasing lighting systems. The luminaires designed in this class averaged to about 2–8 W per fixture (a standard incandescent lamp is about 65 W per bulb). From decorative wall sconces to emergency exit lighting, the project provides a variety of opportunities to design unique and functional fixtures.
At the final critique hosted in the CLTC classroom, LED luminaire designs were evaluated on the creative use of technology, and overall functionality and design. The critique was led by a panel of judges including CLTC and supplier representatives. Each year, manufacturers sponsor the class by donating the lighting technology for the prototypes. This is the first year the sponsors offered monetary prizes to the top three designs. Industry support for this unique class is valued by the students and the industry leaders who participate in the process.
The top three designs, as well as two luminaires that received honorable mentions, will be displayed in the OSRAM Opto Semiconductors LED Gallery (Booth #1609) at LIGHTFAIR International 2009 in New York City.
CLASS DETAILS:
- Students are directed to explore and develop distribution and fixture ideas based on the LED's unique attributes of small size, color, and luminance distribution
- Students are given 4 2-watt LED modules and are instructed to incorporate the LEDs into their luminaire prototypes
- Readily available materials were used for luminaire prototypes (matboard, acrylic, sheet metal, etc.)
2009 Competition Winners
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2009 Competition Winners (from left to right): Jana Sharmir, Jenny Zhouchen, Tieni Wu,
Amanda Radatz, and Melina Prokopakis |
First Place: Tieni Wu |
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Second Place: Jana Sharmir
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Third Place: Amanda Radatz |
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Honorable Mention: Jenny Zhouchen |
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Honorable Mention: Melina Prokopakis |
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Thank you to our sponsors:
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