THDA 255, Lighting Design, is an introduction to performance lighting design. While emphasis is on performance, the principles can be applied to film, television, and environmental settings. The course focus will be on the design process, but there will be some attention to lighting hardware and technologies as well. A primary goal of the course is to make the student more aware of color and light around them every day.
Frequency: Every year.
Prerequisite(s): THDA 232 or THDA 235 recommended, but not required. Students with a background in studio art or design are welcome to enroll.
Course Objectives
- Develop an understanding and fluency in the design principles utilized in lighting design.
- Develop and refine abilities to analyze a script to create appropriate visual worlds for that script.
- Develop basic technical stage electrician skills.
- Develop visual presentation skills: sketching, rendering, drafting.
- Develop verbal communication, collaboration and design presentation skills.
Methodology
This course will meet in a lecture/discussion and studio format each week. The course is based in a “hands on philosophy” so there will be time spent exploring the equipment and its relationship to light. Students will have a number of projects in written, drafted, and designed forms due throughout the semester. Students will have an opportunity to light one production on the THDA season. The out of class expectations will include reading assignments, individual project completion and drafting and sketching exercises. Students will also work as an electrician for approximately 9 hours of hang and focus on a main theater production.
Evaluation
- Performance Analysis Paper: 5%
- Small Scale Design Exercises: 10%
- Studio Design Projects: 20%
- 2 Paper Projects: 20%
- Production Design Work: 15%
- Light Journal/Morgue/Sketchbook: 20%
- Participation/Production Work: 10%