Marrying education with real-world application, Loughborough Design School runs a Live Projects module for all final year design students every year. As of Wednesday 31 January, the design school has become a buzzing hive of activity, bringing together the final year Industrial and Product Design students in a dynamic 10-day design sprint. This initiative is not just an academic exercise; it's a deep dive into the heart of industry challenges, offering students the invaluable opportunity to choose and tackle real-world industry briefs presented by leading companies.

The array of participating companies, including DCA Design International, Holophane, TTP - The Technology Partnership, Triton, and Panasonic, has provided a rich tapestry of design briefs. Each company brings to the table its distinct set of design requirements, target users, and existing industry offerings, ranging from DCA's open, generative AI-infused brief to Triton's highly specific challenges and user profiles. This diversity not only broadens the horizon for budding designers but also challenges them to adapt and innovate across various contexts and industries.

Among the myriad of briefs, the one presented by Holophane, in conjunction with the Lighting Industry Association, particularly resonated with me. The challenges outlined by Chris Wilkes, Technical Manager at Holophane, and Ayça Donaghy, CEO of the LIA, shed light on critical issues facing the lighting industry today, notably the adverse effects of artificial lighting on wildlife. This brief stands out not only for its immediate relevance to environmental sustainability but also for its deep dive into the intersection of industrial and precision optics design—a field ripe with opportunities for innovation and problem-solving.

Holophane's reputation for producing high-performance, highly-engineered luminaires designed for tough environments, both indoor and outdoor, is well established. Yet, it's their focus on marrying industrial design with precision optics, particularly glass prismatic lenses, that opens up new avenues for exploration. This is a domain I hadn't considered before but now find fascinating. It represents a unique blend of science and design, challenging us to devise optics solutions that are both innovative and sensitive to the needs of wildlife.

Currently, I am in the research phase, seeking to understand the broader implications of artificial lighting on the natural world. Key questions guiding my inquiry include identifying the types of wildlife most affected by artificial lighting, understanding which types of lighting are particularly harmful, and exploring the reasons behind these adverse effects. This foundational research is crucial for developing informed, effective design solutions that address the nuanced challenges presented by the brief.

As we delve into these complex challenges, it's heartening to see the enthusiasm and commitment of everyone involved. Who knew that a deep dive into lighting design could unravel such intriguing intersections of technology, design, and environmental stewardship? This journey reaffirms the vital role of design in addressing some of today's most pressing issues, and I am eager to contribute to meaningful solutions that bridge the gap between human needs and environmental harmony.

The Live Projects module at Loughborough Design School is more than an academic exercise; it's a testament to the power of collaborative innovation and the potential of design to make a real-world impact. As we continue to explore and solve these challenges, it's a reminder of the exciting possibilities that lie at the nexus of design, technology, and sustainability. I am eager to share more details of projects as the sprint and judgement process progresses.

- Yuvraj