NYSID’s Master of Professional Studies in Lighting Design is known in the industry for producing versatile lighting designers who have deep knowledge of the way lighting can contribute to sustainability and well-being and a mastery of the tools and technologies necessary to execute their vision. Shaun Fillion, LC Educator IALD, an award-winning lighting designer and director of NYSID’s MPS-L, says, “One hundred percent of my graduates find employment at lighting design firms or in the lighting design industry.” Graduates from NYSID’s MPS-L program are working at some of the top lighting design firms in the U.S., including L’Observatoire International, Cooley Monato Studio, One Lux Studio, Office of Visual Interaction, and ICRAVE. Fillion shares his thoughts about the program.

What makes the MPS-L extraordinary? What do you love about your program?

The MPS-L program is incredibly diverse. The students share a passion for lighting but bring their experience in interior design, architecture, engineering, and theatrical lighting. The diversity is also cultural, with many countries and cultures represented. Similarly, we’ve recruited working professionals to the faculty who share their differing points of view on lighting as a medium. I love that each year, a new class of students shares its perspectives and the class develops a universal vocabulary to critique and celebrate architectural lighting.

What’s the advantage of going back to school to specialize in lighting design?

The field of architectural lighting is growing rapidly. The growth is driven by worldwide efforts toward creating sustainable spaces, combined with the advancement of LED technology and advanced controls. Students in the MPS-L develop skills to render and study the impact of lighting on physical spaces with full-scale mockups and photometric simulation software like AGi32. They present to both faculty and guest judges, many of whom are principals of their firms. Our students learn the fundamental physics of light. A graduate from the MPS-L program will enter the field prepared with knowledge of current lighting methods, hands-on experience, and an impressive portfolio.