Experiential Landscape Lighting Initiative

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Experiential Landscape Lighting Initiative

ELLI serves 'To Educate & Separate' those seeking lighting design advancement.

I'm a professional landscape lighting designer-contractor with over 23 years or hands-on experience. I am working other dedicated and passionate individuals to provide advanced education in this discipline. Our short-term goal is to advance the professional practice, and our long-term goal is to provide proven content to show how 'good' lighting design can positively impact human health and well-being. ELLI is a legacy project that we wish to pass on to the next generation of disciplined artisans. We are the only entity to offer concentrated training on lighting design--one that utilizes the principles of composition as its foundational building block. Advanced studies will explore deeper content as it relates to human perception and psychology. 'Affect' is the experience of feeling--this is the highest measure of success for any lighting designer to achieve.

09/02/2025

1st. Step in Landscape Lighting Design--Defining Use-Areas

Recently, I developed a class that would teach ELLI's newer members how best to approach the creation of a conceptual plan. It established priority steps that lighting designers should take to ensure each part of the garden is properly addressed, based on the "purpose" or intent of each space.

Unfortunately, many designers who are new to this practice eagerly jump ahead and bypass these steps. Why does this matter? The reason it does matter is that most will jump immediately into designing a space based on the individual elements within it. Yes, this is the most fun aspect of designing. But one must be patient to understand "how" the space is to be used, and "who" is using the space.

And when this happens (lighting designers not following these principled steps), this leads to a mediocre or poor lighting design. I can support this claim by many reasons, but we'll just leave it here so as not to lengthen this post. My point is that there is a process to follow if one desires to master this art form.

ELLI can open the door to your design advancement in landscape lighting. We can lead you to the water, but we can't make you drink. Unfortunately, this is why the majority in this profession will never achieve their full potential. https://www.landscapelightinginitiative.org/

08/28/2025

Landscape Lighting Design--the Common Missing Link

What makes a garden or landscape interesting and memorable? How do we motivate people to explore these garden spaces at night? Both of these questions present the challenge that many landscape lighters fail to achieve--creating Curiosity.

Curiosity is a powerful lighting design tool. I wanted to share more thoughts from my friend/colleague, Michael Bamling, from his latest book, 'Chiaroscuro'. He states, "If your garden shows all its cards at once, then there's no reason to explore. But, if it hints, if it whispers, you've got engagement, participation, and wonder."

Michael also states that "Curiosity without comfort is just tension." Tension is a form of stress, and it can build into mental fatigue, all of which is not good for one's experience within these spaces. "Comfort in this context doesn't mean visibility; it means orientation."

It's important that landscape lighting designers take the time to ensure the balance between light and shadow, as this allows for contrast. Both balance and contrast are key principles in composition, as well as art. This is why ELLI has created a design course specifically focused on lighting composition.

If you'd like to learn more or to sign up for this online course, please visit the ELLI website: https://lnkd.in/gGiS22ja

Photo credit: George Winterling of Winterling Lighting Design. Notice the curiosity created by the intriguing downlighting in the foreground trees, which leads to the fountain at the back...curiosity motivates one to follow this path forward.

08/25/2025

The Fear of Darkness

There are a lot of extremes in landscape lighting today and most boil down to seeing projects that are either over-illuminated or under-illuminated. Both are bad and serve the end user no good.

In this post, I'd like to discuss the problem of over-illumination. When everything is visible in the landscape, then nothing is special. "Over-lighting leads to emotional flatness. There is no contrast, no mystery, and no invitation to explore." (Michael Bamling--Chiaroscuro, '25). This is absolutely true, as we must experience a mix of light-shadow to engage the senses.

Michael also mentions, "You've replaced nuance wih uniformity. And in doing so, you've stripped the night of its emotional architecture." This tendency and problem is seen many times by inexperienced landscape lighting designers. Many fall victim to fill out the space by light, leaving shadow as an afterthought and completely out of balance.

Just as we've seen in eastern philosophy, Yin-Yang, everything in life revolves around and equal opposite...light-dark, warm-cool, happy-sad, etc. We cannot escape this reality, and our lighting designs must align equally.

To learn more about ELLI, please visit our website: https://lnkd.in/gGiS22ja

08/21/2025

In Good Lighting Design, Light is Only One Part

The more one studies art, design, and the illumination of spaces, the easier it is to understand that there must be a counterpart for Light. In this case, Shadow or darkness. You cannot have balance, contrast, or unity without it.

As my fellow colleague, Michael Bamling, states, "It's the tension between light and dark that gives a scene emotional weight." If a space is to instill a positive experience, then it should provide for atmosphere and depth. Each of these requires precise manipulation of lighting levels, as well as understanding what the intent of the space is.

If there is too much light within a space, then things look bland or washed out, and it feels somewhat sterile. Too little light or spotty lighting makes the visitor question what they are seeing--confusion. Both of these experiences are bad for landscape lighting design, specifically.

The more I grow and experience lighting design, the more I appreciate these fine subtleties. Lighting isn't about aesthetics and clarity, it's about providing the right mood or atmosphere and feeling to each space. The photo below is by a colleague from Canada of Ambiance Lumiere. Please visit the ELLI website to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gGiS22ja

08/08/2025

A Lighting Design Concept Not Understood

I finished reading an insightful book by Michael Bamling (Chiaroscuro: A modern guide to lighting outdoor spaces with soul), and I came across another great point. He states, "Instead of focusing purely on static moments...think about the emotional transitions."

My discipline is in landscape lighting design, and I see this point lived out daily! Most landscape lighting designers illuminate their projects for the "static" display...the drama...the show...as a single scene. But, as Michael explains, it doesn't work that way in life. You move, you pause, you shift from one mood to another. Therefore, our lighting designs should follow these changes.

The point in this consideration is that there is a 'rhythm' to what people do and how they move through spaces. Our lighting designs should feel like they're breathing with you. There is action in this, not a dead, solitary moment.

Lighting designs should guide you from one feeling to the next. Think of it this way, we have different needs. Some are active and social (public), whereas some are restful and rejuvenating (private). Our lighting should change and reflect these needs. In other words, not everything should be illuminated the same way.

Photo by: Oregon Outdoor Lighting (Kyle McKelvy)

08/05/2025

Promoting Relaxation in Landscape Lighting Design

Typically, in landscape lighting, there are two types of spaces that people use. One type is for relaxation, rejuvenation, calm, and peace, and another type is for entertainment, activities, socialization, and fun. Both are important, but in today's world, it's a necessity to have a means to rejuvenate yourself after the daily stress buildup.

The garden space is a natural and wonderful means to provide for our well-being. At night, this experience is even more enhanced, and it's generally the time we can utilize these spaces (after the workday). However, many people are fearful of the outdoors at night. Hence, the importance of illumination.

There are several elements to fulfill or enhance these calming spaces:
* The lighting should be good enough to see, but not overly done (remember, these are to be calming, serene spaces).
* The space should feel safe and secure--using borders or boundary elements such as walls, fences, hedges, and/or trees to provide a sense of enclosure, order, and security.
* An understood sightline and defined pathway leading in and out of the space is important, not to cause confusion or questions.
* To promote relaxation, include the other senses (sound, smell, and even touch)--using soft music or moving water (sound), subtle, fragrant plants (smell), soft leaves of plants (touch)...each adds to this calming effect.

Consider the photo below...what do you see? A protected garden space (fencing, plantings, and overhead tree canopy). You also see a water feature (soft, moving water sounds). Additionally, there are a few flowering shrubs for subtle scents, and soft-leaved hostas and mosses (touch or to brush against).

Overall, when a person uses this type of space, they should not have the need to worry or think. This includes primarily their security...being surrounded and somewhat protected, it provides a feeling of comfort. Our lighting designs should reflect this...soft, subtle, warm, and without glare.

To learn more and to design better, please consider what ELLI has to offer: https://lnkd.in/gGiS22ja

07/29/2025

"The Invitation to Feel"--Using Shadow in Lighting Design

I wanted to share another excerpt from Michael Bamling's new book: 'Chiaroscuro--a Modern Guide to Lighting Outdoor Spaces with Soul' that talks about shadow...an equal part to the illumination of outdoor spaces.

Michael writes,..."Shadow makes a space tactile. It gives edges to quiet. When you allow for deeper pockets of darkness, you let the mind slow down. It's like turning down the volume so you can hear the subtleties. A softly lit stone bench edged in shadow feels more inviting than one bathed in flat light. It promises stillness. It whispers rather than shouts."

I love this line of thinking because it forces us to slow down...to pause and "feel" the space...the experience of it. Most landscape lighting designers rush to illuminate every element within the setting with the attitude that more is better. However, this is a poor approach, and as Michael mentioned, it is "bathed in flat light."

The nighttime is Not meant to be like the day. Atmosphere and mood cannot be achieved if there is little to no contrast to enhance each of the other senses.

Thank you, Michael, for your insights.

07/23/2025

New content being recorded today...Leonard's desk of toys.

07/23/2025

ELLI Designer Series

We are building a library of educational content that specifically aids landscape lighting designers through the process of approaching design work. ELLI's goal is to teach lighting designers how best to approach these situations so that a 'good' design can be ensured.

Typically, when lighting designers see projects similar to our project site, they become overly excited and enthusiastic about illuminating everything. But this can ruin the intent of the space. And when this occurs, you end up with designs that provide over-illumination, excessive illumination, or a lacking composition.

The key is to take the appropriate steps to achieve a positive lighting design intent. In the end, it all comes down to providing the appropriate mood and atmosphere for the identified space.

Today, we shot video at one of my favorite job sites in Granite Bay, CA. It's an amazing, fully mature landscape that has large Oak trees with an understory of various specimens, including Japanese maples, Dogwoods, and many more. I provided landscape lighting for this site over 20 years ago, but am now working with the homeowner to redesign each of the garden spaces. I intend to use this process for educational purposes and will share it with our ELLI members.

This video and educational class will be part of our Designer Series, and it is titled "Pre-Design Development". If you are not a member and are interested in gaining access to this training, then please visit our website to sign up: https://lnkd.in/gwEFhEVU

07/03/2025

Understanding Evening Rituals--A Deeper Level of Lighting Design

When I first created ELLI, I began to separate landscape spaces into 'use-areas'--Personal-Use Spaces vs. Public-Use Spaces. I did this for a couple of reasons: 1) How the space was to be used, and 2) Who was using the space. In other words, the activities within these spaces require a different amount and type of lighting.

Recently, I purchased a new book called 'Chiaroscuro' (2025) by Michael Bamling of the U.K., and it is in complete alignment with my approach to landscape lighting design. It talks about the importance of our customers' evening rituals and providing lighting designs based on these scenarios. It's a much deeper level of thought, as you are considering mood and the emotional state one would like to achieve. Michael's approach is to divide your garden into emotional zones.

As we look to identify spaces, think about the two questions above...how is the space to be used (its purpose/intent or activity), and who is using the space (one or two people in more of an intimate setting, or a group of people to socialize or entertain). These are important questions that will guide you with the amount of light required and the color of light to use.

For more insights, please visit the ELLI website: https://lnkd.in/gGiS22ja

06/27/2025

The Trend to Stimulate in Landscape Lighting Design

It's interesting to see the changes that most lighting designers go through as they develop their skills. First, they lack knowledge and are timid to provide only the basic lighting applications. As they gain experience, they become emboldened to add more and more lights to their designs, but still cannot compose on the whole.

Once these designers reach this point of progress, they tend to shift their role into that of managing the business. Therefore, they don't continue to grow from a design perspective. With that said, where have these designers left off...as it applies to design-ability and proficiencies? Most are at a phase where they desire to "stimulate" the customer. Most use excessive amounts of light, which includes excessive amounts of fixtures. In other words...Over-stimulation.

So, if this is the truth, then what is lacking in our profession? It's the transition from this stimulation into the understanding of "how" to apply light for the need...purposeful light. Consider this...what is required most of the time at night? "Soothing" conditions.

This is the next advancement step for lighting designers...can the design for rejuvenation, calm, and/or serenity? The majority of consumers all need this in their lives, and this seems to be one of the big lacking in our profession. Why is this important? It's because this type of low-level lighting supports the parasympathetic nervous system and activates the "rest & digest" mode of our daily routines.

As humans, we need to have a balance like this in our lives in order to thrive. This means low lighting levels, warm tones, and minimal contrast. This is what makes it soothing. Food for thought.

06/20/2025

Curiosity is a Powerful Design Tool

I just received a book I purchased from a lighting designer located in the UK. His name is Michael Bambling...his book is called "Chiaroscuro--a modern guide to lighting outdoor spaces with soul" (2025). I'm only a couple of chapters in and I have to say...I am impressed by what this 40+ year veteran of lighting has to say.

There are very few, if any, landscape lighting type books out there that address 'Affect'--the experience of feeling. However, this book is about that. It's about the psychological impact of light and how we should all better embrace 'darkness' as an equal part of this outdoor experience.

Part of my excitement is that somebody else is exploring deeper into the emotional aspects of this art form...much like myself. This is a rarity, indeed.

Here's what Michael has to say about Curiosity--"If you garden shows all its cards at once, there's no reason to explore." This is a wonderful perspective both on the psychology behind being curious...the desire to explore, as well as having too much light that it kills the experiences within the space. There must be a balance of light and shadow (darkness) to evoke emotion.

I'll write more once I'm finished with this book. But, I believe I have now found another "like" colleague within this specialty craft--this is a good thing.

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https://www.landscapelightinginitiative.org/

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Why E.L.L.I. is Important to Everyone

The primary reason the Experiential Landscape Lighting Initiative exists is to ensure understanding and clarity of the landscape lighting profession. It serves as an educational resource to the consumer, practitioner and professional, as it provides a form of measure with all service providers. Not only does this initiative encourage learning, but it inspires those who practice this art-form to advance themselves to a higher performance level.

My name is Mark Carlson and I have been performing this discipline for 20-years under my landscape lighting design business, Avalon Lighting Design. My work has been recognized nationally and internationally, where I’ve won several professional awards. Other accolades involve the publication of a book, several Guides & Standards, as well as specifications for this particular craft. Although, I can continue on with many more details...my point is that I am highly experienced and am only one of a few within my discipline to obtain this level.

ELLI was established at the beginning of 2019 and it was a vision I had about where my legacy and contributions to society will lie. Currently, I believe the lighting industry is segmented where there is no uniform and common message for the public. Because of this, I believe all parts of this industry needs to align unify in an easily understood way. And the consumer market is most hurt by this--it’s a state of confusion. This common message should focus on the ‘Betterment of Human Health.’

As stated in my first paragraph, understanding and clarity should be the priority, so that we all can successfully provide for the world. Although ELLI caters to the lighting design of outdoor landscaped environments, it does focus in on health. By providing good lighting design, we can greatly impact the psychological and physiological elements of human health--this is a positive benefit.

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