Students Explore Chicago's Unofficial Museum of Light

Last Week, a group of 20 design students from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) visited the Lightology Showroom for a Lighting Education Tour. Lighting Designer Diane Fairchild and Architect Richard Kasemsarn brought their "Design with Light" class to Lightology for an immersive educational experience.

The one hour student tour explored fundamental lighting principles, the properties of light, lighting design techniques, and the evolution of electric lighting technology. This design class is one of many to have taken the tour, which evolved over the years as increasing numbers of student groups requested access to Lightology's space.

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the International Academy of Design and Technology, and Harrington School of Design are but a few of the prestigious design schools that often ask for student tours at Lightology.

Tour leader Andrew Goldman notes, "We've heard a lot of feedback that these student groups leave Lightology with a deeper appreciation and understanding of things they've been learning about in class. Our exhibits and displays allow them to see and touch the things they learn in books."

More than a Showroom
Lightology founder and owner Greg Kay sees the tours as a sign that he must be doing something right. The award-winning lighting designer and Master Electrician opened Lightology in 2001 with a mission to offer the finest modern and contemporary lighting in the world. At the same time, he wanted to create a world-class educational center for lighting design.

"For me, Lightology has always been about more than just selling light fixtures-it's more than a place to browse and shop," says Kay. "When I first had the idea to open Lightology, I knew I wanted people to be able to explore the showroom as they would The Museum of Science and Industry, for example."