Landscape lighting often falls into the shadows when it comes to recognition as a design-driven industry. Some may underestimate its complexity, assuming tasks like installing a path light or illuminating a tree are simple endeavors. “Anyone can install a path light” and “Putting an uplight on a tree isn’t hard…right?!” Right! Most big box stores sell low-quality outdoor lighting equipment such as fixtures, transformers, wires, and connections. One can find YouTube videos about how to connect the fixtures and how to run the wire. They could even join Facebook groups geared towards outdoor lighting for insider tips and tricks. However, when you take a deeper dive into the world of outdoor lighting design, you will inevitably see the difference between a system crafted by a trained designer and one assembled by an untrained individual or organization.
At the forefront of lighting design education stands The International Landscape Lighting Institute (ILLI), founded by the illustrious lighting designer Janet Lenox Moyer. Renowned for her expertise and passion, Moyer’s influence reverberates throughout the industry. We like to say she is the Meryl Streep of lighting design. The ILLI’s mission echoes her fervor, aiming to educate enthusiasts and professionals alike in the art of nighttime landscape illumination. Some call her the godmother of landscape lighting due to her extensive design skills, knowledge, and experience in the world of lighting design as well as her eagerness to guide and teach other lighting professionals. Moyer is the recipient of many awards, the judge of countless lighting competitions, has been published in magazines, newspapers, books, and so much more. She is the author of the internationally acclaimed The Landscape Lighting Book (1992) and more recently she released The Art of Landscape Lighting (2022). When you meet Janet, you can feel her passion for lighting design simply by sitting and talking with her for a moment.
ILLI’s flagship offering, the Intensive Course, provides an immersive training regimen exclusively focused on lighting design. The days are jam-packed with lectures and hands-on practical training. While installation techniques are crucial, ILLI prioritizes the cultivation of design proficiency, leaving installation nuances to other reputable organizations like the Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals (AOLP), known for their Certified Low Voltage Lighting Technician (CLVLT) certification.
“Professionals and students in the field of landscape and lighting have an outstanding opportunity to learn design principles, gain practical experience, and explore a wide array of the latest equipment available from landscape lighting manufacturers.” – ILLI website
Jason Warren, the visionary behind Carolina Outdoor Lighting (COL), embarked on a transformative journey by attending and graduating from ILLI’s Fall 2023 course in Houston, Texas. Since COL’s inception in 2017, Jason harbored aspirations of refining his design skills under Moyer’s program. His objective was clear: to rise above mere installation and elevate COL’s offerings to unparalleled heights of design excellence for our clients in and around the Asheville, NC area. COL believed that by attending ILLI they would be able to meet this goal and take their business to the next level of expertise.
The ILLI experience exceeded all expectations, revolutionizing COL’s approach to lighting design. Armed with newfound knowledge and principles, Jason and his team now craft designs that transcend mere illumination, evoking emotion and creating experiences. Their meticulously curated systems tell stories, guiding observers through immersive visual experiences, a far cry from conventional lighting installations.
This transformative journey has propelled COL into a league of its own, setting them apart from all competitors in the region. Armed with an ILLI graduate at the helm, COL confidently delivers bespoke designs characterized by unique elegance, drama, and storytelling.
In the realm of landscape lighting, where artistry meets functionality, the distinction lies not merely in illumination but in the mastery of design. Through education and passion, visionaries like Jason Warren illuminate not just landscapes but offer lighting designs that blow our clients away and set their homes and businesses apart from the rest.
If you are interested in learning more about lighting design feel free to give us a call at 828.280.7047 and we would be happy to talk more! You can also browse the ILLI website at https://illiedu.org/