MA Lighting Design

Edinburgh Napier University

Learn from award-winning and internationally renowned lighting designers.

Overview

One of only a small number of postgraduate lighting design courses in the world, this programme explores the use of light in interior and exterior spaces, and light as a medium for creative practice. You’ll learn combined technical and creative skills and to apply lighting design principles. You’ll be taught by award-winning and internationally renowned lighting designers.

Part of the MA/MFA Design Suite, the course benefits from bringing together designers from a range of disciplines into core modules, as well as modules specific to your chosen pathway such as 'Creative Lighting Design for Places and People' and 'Design for Heritage and Culture'.

All students complete the Live Project and you will study 'Thinking: Research for Creative Practice', which will help you to determine your Research Portfolio (MA) or Major Project (MFA) topics.

Course details

Well-designed lighting can transform a place or a space, and greatly enhance the user experience.

The MA Lighting Design will develop your skills and knowledge in the use of light and projection in designed spaces. You will learn how to exploit natural light, but also enhance interior and exterior spaces with the use of artificial lighting systems and art projections.

You will explore different lighting types and qualities, and learn how to select appropriate lighting for the right setting. You will develop technical understanding of state-of the art hardware, as well as the use of more simple technical solutions to lighting spaces.
The programme is supported by the Edinburgh Napier University design team who are actively engaged in research, knowledge exchange and/or consultancy work as part of the Art & Design Research Centre (ADRC), as well as professional practice with Malcolm Innes’ work particularly relevant to this specialism. Malcolm Innes is an artist by training and has extensive experience of architectural lighting design and light art. Malcolm’s portfolio includes several multi-award winning projects including two IALD Radiance awards and nine IIDA awards. The programme also has input from industry based specialists and partners.

How you’ll be taught

The programme uses practice-based learning, workshops, seminars, lectures, guest speakers and supported online learning in which core knowledge and understanding are acquired and assessed in tandem with their specific application to your own individual projects.

Careers

Graduates from this programme pathway can pursue careers in:

• interior and spatial design
• lighting design
• urban design
• exhibition and museum design
• installation art