Canada’s Only Lighting Design Certificate Program Starts in May

Ryerson Image Centre

 

The first course under the certificate in lighting design offered by Ryerson University’s Chang School — the only one of its kind in Canada, and one of only six in North America — starts again on May 5. In this program, you’ll learn how to make sense of the increasingly complex field of interior lighting.

This multidisciplinary certificate provides students with the broad knowledge base and wide range of skills required as professionals in the lighting industry. Changes are taking place in the lighting industry, largely centred around increased legislative acts limiting energy budgets for new construction, retrofitting and the need for designing buildings which are environmentally responsible and ergonomically sound, and with enhanced vision for health and safety. New information is available, new technologies have been developed, new methodologies exist, and new questions are emerging as the building industry works toward an integration of architecture, engineering and resource management, and the concerns for health and safety are moved to the forefront in design.

The Chang School is partnering with the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, Toronto Section. The Toronto Section has been instrumental in supporting Ryerson’s lighting design program and has raised significant funds for the IES Award (offered jointly with founding scholarship partners Canlyte and Osram Sylvania) for students registered in the certificate in lighting design.

The certificate will be of particular interest to people seeking to enhance their knowledge and skill in the art and science of lighting design and who are degree graduates of one of either Architecture or Landscape Architecture, Engineering, Interior Design, or Theatre Design and Production.

Graduates of other programs such as Business, Fashion, and Radio and Television Arts, or individuals without degrees, but with a satisfactory level of education and experience in the lighting industry, may also be eligible with the approval of the academic coordinator.

Industry Overview

The lighting industry of the fixture and lamp manufacturers is estimated at $500 million1 with the global market at over $100 billion USD. The industry itself is experiencing a large growth due to energy concerns and the recent development of white light LED technology. As a result, these developments have dramatically increased the demand for knowledgeable practitioners.

Required courses

• Lighting Fundamentals

• Human Factors in Lighting

• Introduction to Lighting 

• Lighting Energy Management

• Introduction to Daylighting Design

• Advanced Lighting Design

Possible electives

• Entertainment Lighting Design

• Lighting Design Practicum

• Lighting Research Practicum

Find out more: http://ce-online.ryerson.ca/ce/default.aspx?id=3556&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=s2015_lxdesign.

 

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • Dec 5, 2025 - Liteline Announces Improvements to Production Facilities to Provide Even More Made in Canada Lighting Solutions

    Liteline Announces Improvements to Production Facility to Provide Even More Made in Canada Lighting Solutions

    Liteline has announced the transformation of their Production Facility! What was once home to their Safety and Performance Test Labs has now been completely repurposed. With those labs relocated and renovated, Liteline’s production team has taken over the space to expand their in-house capabilities, everything from assembling fan favorites to building custom configurations. In this… Read More…

  • Dec 4, 2025 - Wow Lighting and Controls Announces New Partnership with Eterna Light

    Wow Lighting and Controls Announces New Partnership with Eterna Light

    Wow Lighting and Controls is excited to welcome Eterna Light to their lighting family! A Canadian manufacturer based in Côte Saint-Luc, Quebec, Eterna Light specializes in high-end architectural luminaires for commercial, hospitality, and retail projects. Their broad lineup includes downlights, cylinders, track lighting, and advanced backlighting solutions, all designed to bring flexibility, performance, and timeless… Read More…


Design

  • Understanding IK Ratings: Why Impact Resistance Matters in LED Lighting

    Understanding IK Ratings: Why Impact Resistance Matters in LED Lighting

    When selecting your lighting fixtures, performance, efficiency, and longevity are often top priorities. But there’s another critical factor that’s sometimes overlooked — impact resistance, measured by an IK rating. Whether your lighting is installed in a rugged industrial facility or an exposed outdoor environment, understanding IK ratings ensures your fixtures can handle the job safely… Read More…

  • Understanding Melanopic Lighting for Improved Indoor Environments

    Understanding Melanopic Lighting for Improved Indoor Environments

    Light plays a crucial role not only in our ability to see but also in regulating our internal body clock, sleep patterns, and overall well-being. Traditional lighting design primarily focuses on visual comfort and task illumination. However, recent advancements have shed light on the concept of melanopic lighting, which specifically targets the non-visual effects of… Read More…


New Products

  • RENO Lighting: AURA Series – Mini Linear Recessed Spot Light – RENO-LRSL-5CCT-8W-WH

    RENO Lighting: AURA Series – Mini Linear Recessed Spot Light – RENO-LRSL-5CCT-8W-WH

    RENO’s AURA Series Mini Linear Recessed Spot Light offers sleek, unobtrusive lighting with powerful, focused illumination. Ideal for modern interiors, it seamlessly integrates into ceilings or walls, providing a minimalist aesthetic while enhancing the ambiance. Perfect for highlighting art, architectural details, or creating mood lighting in any space. Engineered with a distinctive, deeply set light… Read More…

  • EB Horsman: Philips LED Lamps & TLED Tubes – Efficient Lighting Solutions for Any Space

    EB Horsman: Philips LED Lamps & TLED Tubes – Efficient Lighting Solutions for Any Space

    Looking to upgrade your lighting with high-efficiency LED solutions? Philips offers a wide range of LED lamps and TLED retrofit tubes that deliver energy savings, long life, and professional-grade illumination for commercial and residential projects. Philips LED lamps provide consistent brightness and excellent color rendering, making them ideal for offices, retail environments, warehouses, and homes.… Read More…