· Why use a Lighting Designer?
  Lighting designers are tremendous resource for innovative, practical and economically viable lighting solutions. They understand the role of lighting in architecture and interior design and rely on their extensive experience and knowledge of lighting equipment and systems to enhance and strengthen design.
With a lighting designer on the team, architects, interior designers, builders and a owners will see their vision realized.
· Meets the needs of the people who use the space.
· Selects cost-effective and energy-efficient products most appropriate for the project.
· Creates an innovative lighting solution that achieves the perfect balance of function and aesthetics.
· Solves the unique lighting challenges of a wide range of interior and exterior environments.
· Strengthens and enhances any space through creative, yet functional, lighting plans.
· Is "good" illumination important to your project? What is good lighting design and how is it achieved?
Light is a technically difficult yet astonishing medium that requires mastery of varied and continually evolving disciplines. A lighting design practice integrates the arts, sciences and business of illumination design and implementation far beyond concerns of visibility and horizontal footcandles.
Lighting designers work as part of a design team and, like architects, charge fees for services rendered. Professional lighting designers bring solid technical acumen and sensitive design technique to architectural and landscape projects. But the value-added services they provide can make or break the success of a project and, therefore, outweigh, the impact of their fee.

· What is the difference between the services provided by a lighting professional versus an electrical engineer or interior designer?
Technology
Lighting equipment and controls technologies are developing at light speed: hundreds of new products are introduced to the marketplace annually. To provide proper design solutions that make use of the latest, most-cost-effective technologies, lighting professionals must attend national trade shows and continually update product information and samples from hundreds of manufacturers. Keeping abreast of newest weapons in the lighting arsenal has become time intensive and more essential. Independent lighting consultants do not sell or install equipment, nor do they depend on the recommendations of lighting salespersons. So the client receives a lighting design based on research and expertise -- free from conflicts of interest.
Technique
Illumination is the ephemeral partner of architecture. Light is invisible until it strikes an object or surface. And it is controlling this difficult, transitory medium that gives the lighting "artist" the ability to create hierarchies, dynamics and mood. Lighting design has become a creative extension of architectural design, improving visibility and complementing form, program and color. Experience and, of course, talent create patterns of illumination that seamlessly support overall project goals.
Education
Knowledge of physics, optics, electricity, ergonomics, business, codes, environmental issues, construction, vision and the art of design are all essential to creating great lighting solutions. Lighting professionals must be well grounded and continually educate themselves to provide the best possible service. They do so in many ways including networking, reading trade magazines and journals, attending and presenting seminars. This sort of give and take, along with healthy competition, forwards the profession as a whole.

· How To Qualify a "Lighting Designer"?
There are ways to identify a full-time, independent professional lighting consultant. If the design of a project is important, the persons in control of lighting design and specification should be participating in one or more lighting programs and associations such as:
IALD Professional and Associate Members
The International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) was established in 1969 to recognize independent lighting design professionals and promote lighting excellence. Professional membership is limited to experienced designers and is contingent on peer-review of an applicant's portfolio. IALD members must abide by rules of ethics and do not sell or install lighting equipment. IALD members have worked on many of the world's most recognized structures. Based in Chicago and comprised of over 700 members throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia, the IALD's role is to set the highest standards in the lighting design profession and to advance lighting design excellence in the built environment.
LC, Lighting Certification
The National Council on Qualifications for the Lighting Professions (NCQLP) recognizes individuals that understand lighting principles and can offer technical skills. An exam is administered and certification given to those that pass. The exam is open to anyone in all lighting professions with a minimum of three years experience. A person with the LC credential has demonstrated a knowledge base and a commitment to lighting, having passed this technical exam.
CLC, Certified Lighting Consultant
This program of the American Lighting Association trains individuals in basic knowledge for residential lighting applications.
Lighting Design Awards Programs
The industry recognizes exemplary lighting design each year through various awards programs. Participation and receipt of awards is an indication of skills and talent of a designer. Lighting design firms typically participate and excel in awards programs.
Lighting Education
Professionals regularly attend and give educational seminars locally, nationally and internationally. Many also teach or lecture at local universities. To keep their designs fresh and stay current with product technologies, lighting designers are obliged to expand their knowledge base in the multitude of lighting-related disciplines and techniques.
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Burke Lighting Design
2194 Carmel Valley Road, Suite B-1•Del Mar, CA 92014
Tel: 858.350.3900• Fax: 858.755.1236