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Philips Lumileds and Future Lighting Solutions sponsored the Winter 2011 Designing with Light course taught by Professor Michael Siminovitch of the UC Davis Design Program. The objective of the course, taught at CLTC, is to introduce students to LEDs, next-generation lighting, and fixture design. The annual competition allows students to design, develop, and create prototypes of fully working LED-based luminaires. In the process they explore optics, materials and application of the aesthetic principles that go into creating effective lighting systems. Siminovitch, design professionals, and representatives of the competition's sponsors then evaluate the designs and award the top three students.

Sponsors:

About DES 136B: Designing with Light

The course uses an iterative method and involves a laboratory exploration with the goal of prototyping a fully working LED-based fixture design. Students are given a broad array of modular LED sources and electrical connections that can be configured together in a specific design for each luminaire. Students are encouraged to explore multiple solutions and then are evaluated based on objective indicators, aesthetic considerations, manufacturability, and cost. This hands-on project allowed students to work with a technology poised to change how we light our homes and businesses in the near future.

Students are asked to explore a range of lighting applications including:

• Interior sconces
• Pendant fixtures
• Stair lighting systems
• Exterior path lighting
• Exterior wall sconces

• Two early phases of conceptual development of different lighting ideas
• Model making and photometric testing
• Material exploration
• Applications testing
• Wiring and LED source integration
• Refined prototype construction
• Design reviews with industry and design professionals
• Photographic documentation for student portfolio