Lighting Exercise Tips & Strategies

Below are my tips and strategies for creating a sound lighting plan. I may or may not have had some bit of help from my engineer of a husband. He's so grrrreat! Before we dive in to the technical stuff, an example of a very well-lit kitchen!

Source unknown,  but if you know, please comment!

 { Weight & Time }

It is recommended that you allow (1) hour for this portion. You'll need to keep track of time carefully on Part A of the Practicum:

• Space Planning Exercise (3) hours* 23%
• Lighting Exercise (1) hour 11%

*The Space Planning Exercise is chock full of requirements and can include up to 20 spaces within one 1/4" floor plan (hence why it is the most heavily weighted at 23% of the exam and requires the most time). See lesson learned here under point #2: Bring a watch or small silent clock! TIP: Take the Lighting Section FIRST so you can rest easy once you start your Space Planning. You won't be worrying about Lighting the whole time!

{ Strategy: Be a Math Wiz }

TIP: Before you begin, determine how much wattage you can use throughout the entire space.

Multiply the Energy Allowance noted in the exam booklet by the total Square Footage noted on the plan.

Energy allowance: 1.5 watts/SF

Total SF: 595 SF

1.5 x 595 = 892.5

This is the number of watts allowed for the space. TIP: Round down and aim for 892 or less. 

When selecting light fixtures and quantities, keep in mind that you'll need to take an inventory of these fixtures to multiply the total fixtures by their watts.

For example, if you are using Recessed Down-lighting with 30 W per fixture and you have placed (4) lights in the living space, (2) in the foyer, (1) in the study alcove, and (3) in the kitchen, you will multiply the total of all fixtures by 30(W).

(4) + (2) + (1) + (3) = 10 fixtures

(10) x 30 watts = 300 watts 

Subtract that from your 892 and you have 592 watts left to use in the space. Keep rough track of this as you go, but do not let it eat away your time.

{ Strategy: Know Your Time }

I (from personal practice) find that if you're well-prepared, the 60 minutes should look something like this:

• 3 minutes to read the directions (thoroughly)
• 30-35 minutes to design lighting plan/draw fixtures/switching/dimension
• 10 minutes to work on calculations/fill in the table provided
• Remaining 12-17 minutes to check your work. This last part seems like a lot, but chances are, you might have missed something in the plan below and need to re-work your fixtures and switching and possibly tweak your quantities & calculations. 

{ Strategy: Draw Accurately & Label }

TIP: Be sure to draw the symbols as they're shown in the specifications AND label them. During one of my practice exams, I just drew all circles thinking if I labeled them, they'd be okay. While in architectural world, there may be more fixtures than symbols, you wouldn't use the same circle for a pendant that you would for a recessed down light. The NCIDQ makes it easy for you by providing the symbols so use 'em! In another test, I didn't label the chandelier because it had a distinctive symbol and there was only one. But you'll get docked for that, so keep it real and l-a-b-e-l!

{ Other Tips }

TIP: While vellum is mostly clear, be sure to press down to see architectural details - I missed a sliding (not pocket) door interfering with a wall sconce because my vellum had lifted slightly and I couldn't see the lines below. 

TIP: Pay attention to sloped ceilings. This is the difference between a recessed down light and a recessed down light for sloped ceiling. This is an important distinction we're being tested to know.

TIP: Pay attention to feature walls. Use lowered (drop) track fixtures or wall washers with artwork and more COMPACT track fixtures with shelving. 

TIP: Don't forget required dimensions. Thank goodness they don't make you dimension every fixture, but the NCIDQ will ask you to dimension lighting over islands, feature walls, pieces of furniture, or bar counters.

I could go on and on with lighting rules of thumb, but well, chances are - you're a designer - and you're well-versed in what sort of lighting should be used for each function of a space. You can do it!

Stay bright,
Carolyn