UPCOMING SESSIONS

Scope

AOLP is offering its members an advanced level of specialized training in landscape lighting design. Originally organized as a 4-year program, this program has been revised to be completed in just over one year. Attendance at two consecutive conferences is mandatory to complete the program, so plan accordingly (see schedule below). This program is the only one of its kind currently being offered. It is our goal to develop this discipline by engaging lighting designers to analyze their work in peer group studies and through in-depth subject matter. All sessions will be administered by a panel of select landscape lighting designers, each of whom offers a different reference point or personal style. This openness and style of presentation allows for optimum learning and encourages group interaction, which we consider very important in the growth process of everyone.

Design, or to be specific, landscape lighting design, is very subjective and cannot be tested upon. There is no set of rules to memorize, but there are a series of fundamental principles that are universally acknowledged to form the basis of “good and responsible” lighting design. Therefore, this program will insist on each participant contributing their photo work, plans, thoughts, and questions to the entire group for peer review as well as everyone’s learning benefit.

Our primary goal is to promote design excellence and to allow for the development of an individual’s own lighting design style. It is our intent that everyone learns and re-learns the concepts presented, so that progressive change is made in the thought process of an individual design.

Program Purpose

We are offering this program to address the growing need for such learning. This market niche and discipline is quickly growing yet has no direction for its future. AOLP was established to fulfill this need and aid in directing our member’s future. Currently, our industry is facing several growing problems, which include energy conservation, sky glow and light glare, and other regulatory concerns. If we are to grow our industry, then we must address these problems and incorporate measures to guarantee our future and to continue to promote proper design practices.

AOLP believes it is in our best interest to be proactive in our efforts by training its members in the practice of “good and responsible” landscape lighting design. The following bullet points highlight this program’s purpose:

• To offer advanced levels of landscape lighting design training
• To instill professionalism in our designers
• To expose participants to different perspectives in lighting design and documentation to be incorporated into their own practice
• To gain industry recognition and market exposure for our members and AOLP
• To understand and communicate the emotional impact of a good landscape lighting design
• To address growing regulatory concerns and trade related issues

Format – What to Expect

• $975 non-refundable registration fee to complete the program for AOLP members; $1,450 for non-members
• Limited class size of 20 students
• Two days of in-person instruction at AOLP’s Illuminate conference and one day of final project presentations at the second Illuminate conference (see schedule below)
• Six bi-monthly online webinars/presentations (mandatory participation) throughout the year (see schedule below)
• Assignment of a mentor who has completed the COLD program
• Three Personal Growth Projects – Peer reviewed projects to be presented to the group and instructors. A rubric for the required elements will be provided. An 80% score is required for passing. Two will be presented online. The third and final project will be presented at the conference.
• Exclusive COLD Program social event at the Illuminate conference open to current and past COLD participants
• COLD program graduates are recognized with a plaque at the conference awards ceremony
• Continuing Education Credits (CECs) are required to maintain an active COLD designation, renewed every two years as well as a $50 fee. CECs will be the same for CLVLT and can be used for both programs.

Requirements

The COLD program is an advanced level design program which requires some pre-requisites to be qualified for participation.

• Applicants MUST have a minimum of two years’ installation experience in the outdoor lighting industry.
• Applicants must be in attendance for the in-person instruction that takes place prior to the Illuminate conference.
• Applicants must have a tablet or similar device during in-person instruction.

Applications will be reviewed by the COLD committee. Travel and lodging accommodations should not be made until applicants have received confirmation of acceptance into the COLD program.