Education
Stay informed with up-to-date educational resources that help you navigate the latest in lighting technology and controls.
Controls Basic Programming
Acquire the skills and supporting knowledge to program, and operate nLight® systems. Topics include functional operation and installation best practices for nLight and nLight AIR.
Controls Design Applications
This in-person program offers an interactive approach to controls design in applications. Learn how to use Sensor Switch and nLight Platform lighting control systems using Acuity’s Visual Controls software.
Acuity Brands Stock and Project Solutions
This in-person seminar offers an overview of Acuity Brand’s key stock and project solutions from top brands like Lithonia Lighting™, Juno™, SensorSwitch™, nLight®, and IOTA™.
Designing nLight Wired Systems Using Viral Controls Design Software
Learn to design lighting controls solutions using Visual Controls software in this virtual instructor-led class. The course covers product basics, electrical concepts, and lighting strategies to develop nLight Air and Wired solutions.
LED Optical Design | 1 LU/HSW
This learning unit provides a general overview of the importance of Optical Design using LED light sources. We will review the basic Principles of Optics, LED technologies, Optics for LEDs and the successful integration into luminaire designs. The focus of this presentation is towards interior applications, but many of the principles and concepts carry over to exterior luminaire designs.
RP-46-25 is here, now what?: 1LU | HSW
Circadian supportive lighting is an innovative approach to lighting design. However, traditional lighting practices often require very high light levels and energy consumption to meet the standards outlined in RP-46-25. This session will delve into the design parameters necessary to meet the requirements of RP-46-25 and introduce a formula for achieving this standard, known as application efficiency. This will provide practical insights for professionals implementing circadian lighting. It is essential to recognize that measuring circadian supportive lighting differs from measuring conventional lighting. It is crucial to consider the role of color and spectrum, as different light colors and spectrums impact circadian rhythms.
Blue Sky Lighting 101: 1LU | HSW
This course explores Blue-Sky Lighting as a design strategy that brings the biological benefits of natural daylight indoors. Participants will examine key concepts such as melanopic light, circadian-effective lighting, and spectral distribution, and understand how these factors influence occupant health in built environments. The course will demonstrate how to design and implement lighting systems that support human performance while maintaining compliance with energy codes and lighting standards. Real-world applications in offices, educational facilities, and healthcare environments will be reviewed to illustrate how improved lighting design contributes to safer, healthier, and more productive spaces. Attendees will also evaluate current lighting solutions on the market, including practical, scalable technologies that enable designers to integrate biologically effective lighting without increasing complexity or making it cost-prohibitive. This course qualifies for AIA LU/HSW as it addresses how lighting design directly impacts occupant health, safety, and welfare through improved environmental conditions and human-centric design strategies.
Light & Wellness: Design Ramifications of Circadian Lighting in the Built Environment | 1LU/HSW
A comprehensive AIA accredited course developed by USAI on Lighting and Wellness. This course focuses on the science and design criteria essential for proper implementation of circadian based design. Topics covered include a) evolution of circadian rhythm, b) health implications of circadian disruption, c) how light impacts the circadian system, d) evidence based metrics, e) design considerations, and f) conceptual discussion of applications.
Deciphering Sustainability: Understanding The Environmental Impact of a Lighting System | 1 LU/HSW
Many designers and engineers have made great strides in reducing the amount of power needed for a lighting design solution. As we strive to decarbonize, we can look deeper into questions of materials used in luminaires. Where are they sourced? Are harmful chemicals used? Are the luminaires designed with the least amount of carbon footprint possible? How is this measured? These and other questions will be discussed along with a presentation of an example of an environmental impact report for lighting materials and a design philosophy that puts sustainability first and foremost in design decisions.
Why Buy American Act & Build America, Buy America Act Compliance Matters for Lighting Specification | 1 LU/HSW
This course provides architects and design professionals with the essential knowledge to specify lighting products that comply with the Buy American Act (BAA) and the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA). Participants will gain a clear understanding of the federal sourcing requirements, how they impact project specifications, and strategies for ensuring compliance when selecting materials and products for federally funded projects. The course will also cover key differences between the two acts, compliance challenges, and best practices for working with manufacturers and suppliers.
Integrated Ceiling Illumination: Exploring Lighting Solutions That Take Installation To Architectural Integration | 1 LU/HSW
This course explores how purpose-built lighting solutions integrate seamlessly with ceiling systems to support architectural integrity, simplify installation, and streamline the specification process. Participants will learn how to best interface with stakeholders involved in a ceiling integration project as there is a level of complexity that complicates these projects. This learning course can be seen as a best practice guide to navigating ceiling integration collaboration between specifiers, manufacturers and contractors.
A Holistic View of Illumination: 1LU | HSW
An AIA-approved program offering one LU or HSW credit delves into the concept of holistic illumination, helping architects understand how to design spaces that promote human well-being. The course examines the interplay of lighting and sound, the importance of layered lighting, and the role of sustainability in creating supportive environments.
Approaches to Acoustic Lighting: 1LU | HSW
An AIA-approved program offering one LU or HSW credit delves into the concept of holistic illumination, helping architects understand how to design spaces that promote human well-being. The course examines the interplay of lighting and sound, the importance of layered lighting, and the role of sustainability in creating supportive environments.
Luminous Surfaces for Architecture: 1LU | HSW
An AIA approved program providing one LU or HSW credit examines various approaches for incorporating acoustic lighting into buildings to help architects understand its value and provide the background required to evaluate their options. Learn why acoustic lighting is suddenly an important component of designing modern spaces. Topics include the trends driving the need for acoustic lighting, in particular the intersection of open concept spaces with designing for wellness. Also, basic acoustic design factors that influence the effectiveness of acoustic lighting, and different approaches to combining acoustics and lighting.
How to evaluate the sustainability of architectural products
This course helps designers cut through the noise and focus on two key frameworks for evaluating architectural product sustainability. First, the International Living Future Institute has provided a framework for evaluating the toxicity of products with its Declare Label. Second, Environmental Product Declarations have become the gold standard in measuring the carbon footprint of products. Attendees will learn how leverage these frameworks to design healthier and more environmentally friendly spaces.
Illuminating Care: Lighting Strategies for Modern Hospitals | 6 Continuing Education Credits: IES (CEU) or AIA CES (LU/HSW) or NCQLP (LEU)
Trends in Healthcare: Optimizing Patient Outcomes, Infection Control, Tunable White, Behavioral Health Lighting Requirements, ICU/NICU/PICU, Cardiac Cath, Labor, Delivery, Recovery & Postpartum, MRI Lighting: Ensuring Accurate Scans, Patient Room Lighting and Controls, Studies on Lighting and Its Effects on Patient Health, RP-29 Review and Practices (IES), Kirlin Factory Tour, Kirlin New Products and Sneak Peek of Future Products.
Healing Lights: Tailoring Lighting Solutions for Behavioral Health Environments | 1.0 AIA/CES LU (HSW) or NCQLP LEUP
Major trends in Behavioral Health design. Specific requirements for light fixtures in these facilities. Best practices for lighting various spaces in Behavioral Health projects. The psychological impact lighting has on mental health.
Illuminating Care: Lighting Strategies for Modern Hospitals | 1.0 AIA/CES LU (HSW) or NCQLP LEUP
Major trends in healthcare lighting. Importance of infection control. Deep dive into the lighting needs of 10 critical areas of the hospital. IES recommended practice for healthcare facilities. Clinical benefits of recessed exam lighting.
Beyond Brightness: Exploring the Advantages of Remote-Mounted LED Drivers | 1.0 AIA/CES LU or NCQLP LEUP
Environments that require or benefit from remote-mounted LED power supplies. Best practices for system design and configuration. Control options for dimming, color-changing, and scene synchronization. Radio frequency filtering in the MRI suite and laboratory spaces. Frequently forgotten questions.
Enlightening Care: Lighting Design in MRI Suites, Stand-Up MRIs, and Hybrid ORs | 1.0 AIA/CES LU (HSW) or NCQLP LEUP
What is Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and how does it work? Special requirements of the MRI suite. Three necessary components for successful MRI lighting. Popular design techniques in the MRI suite. Frequently forgotten questions.
Color and Light: Color Rendering, CCT, and Tunable White | 1.0 AIA/CES LU (HSW) or NCQLP LEUP
Measuring color rendition with TM-30 and extended CRI. An intro to color science and the black body curve. Ideal CCT specification for various healthcare applications. Control options for tunable white and circadian systems. Color tuning vs. intensity tuning vs. stimulus tuning vs. circadian supporting static color.
Humancentric Lighting and the WELL Standard | 1.0 AIA/CES LU (HSW) or NCQLP LEUP
Introduce the WELL Building Standard. Identify the 10 concepts that comprise the WELL approach to occupant wellness. Three levels of certification: Silver, Gold, & Platinum. Deep dive into WELL’s pre-conditions and optimizations associated with “Light."
UGR in the Workplace | AIA - 1 LU | Elective
UGR stands for Unified Glare Rating and is a numerical measure of how much glare is emitted by luminaires. Glare can adversely affect well-being and productivity in the workplace, particularly where there are lots of computer monitors. In general managing UGR is managing better visual comfort. This course will provide you with an understanding of UGR and the impact it has on the workplace and how to manage it.
LED Lighting for Exterior Architecture | ESL104 | AIA HSW Approved - 1 LU NCQLP - 1 LEU
Landscape lighting is a key feature that can set a building or landscape apart, as it plays with light and dark, creating contrast, shadows, and silhouettes. It provides curb appeal at night, introducing drama and intimate spaces softly washed in light, or well-lit spaces that invite you to sit and stay. This course will show you how to set a scene and create lines of light with exterior LED landscape lighting technologies.