KRB131 Lighting Design for Creative Arts
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | KRB131 |
|---|---|
| Assumed Knowledge: | Some discipline specific knowledge is preferred for students to best understand how light can be used within their area. |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| CSP student contribution | $1,192 |
| Pre-2021 CSP student contribution | $1,020 The pre-2021 commonwealth supported place (CSP) contribution amount only applies to students enrolled in a course prior to 2021. To learn more, visit our Understanding your fees page. |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,704 |
| International unit fee | $4,944 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | KRB131 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Assumed Knowledge: | Some discipline specific knowledge is preferred for students to best understand how light can be used within their area. |
Overview
The unit focuses on the creative application of light in creative practice. From live performance, screen, exhibitions, installations, and more, this unit will introduce you to the fundamentals of lighting design practice and approaches.
You will explore a range of lighting practices and learn how to apply essential lighting techniques. You will investigate how to use light to convey meaning and create atmosphere, while also learning how to light bodies, materials and spaces.
This unit would complement any creative discipline that requires or curates light, such as Acting, Drama, Music, Visual Art, Film, Screen & Animation, Music, Dance, Fashion, Interaction Design, Architecture, and Interior Design.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Understand the role that light as a design and storytelling tool in creative practice
- Analyse and articulate the impact of light on creative practice
- Apply lighting design principles to your own creative practice
- Demonstrate understanding of foundational light systems and technologies
Content
This unit will explore
- How light is used as a design tool within the creative arts
- Fundamental principles of lighting design for creative practice
- Foundational lighting systems and approaches
- Practical skills in lighting design for a range of different creative projects
Learning Approaches
In this unit, you will learn through a combination of lectures and practical workshops. In the lectures, you will investigate the application of light across a wide range of creative practices including live performance, theatre, dance and music concerts, screen-based work, exhibitions, installations and more. You will build your creative and technical understanding of light. In the workshops, you will gain hands-on experience with a range of lighting systems and techniques, working towards creating your own lighting design concept.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback will be both formative and summative throughout the semester. Students will receive summative feedback on their assessment from Staff via Canvas. Formative feedback will be provided during workshops, in-class discussions and presentations.
Assessment
Overview
The assessment for this unit combines both practical applications of lighting design skills and techniques as well as conceptual understandings of how light can be used as a creative tool in arts practice.
Assessment 1 builds your understanding of lighting design by preparing a visual essay examining the application of light in a chosen field of professional creative practice.
Assessment 2 & 3 allow you to develop your own lighting design concept, exploring the creative application of light in an area of your choosing. In Assessment 2, you will pitch your proposed lighting design while outlining your creative and technical approach. In Assessment 3, you will share a proof-of-concept of your lighting design idea, demonstrating how light would be used in your proposed creative project.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Visual Essay
You will prepare a visual essay that analyses the impact of light within a chosen form of creative practice. Using a selection of visual materials and concepts learnt within the unit, analyse the use of lighting within professional practice.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
Assessment: Lighting Design Proposal
You will prepare a proposal document that outlines your creative and technical approach to your lighting design proof-of-concept. This relates to the final demonstration in Assessment 3.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
Assessment: Lighting Design Demonstration
You will demonstrate lighting design skills and techniques by creating a proof-of-concept presentation that details how light would be used in a creative project of your choosing.
You must demonstrate skills and techniques delivered throughout the unit. You will articulate how light will be used in your chosen creative project through a short design statement that accompanies your proof-of-concept.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Requirements
You will be required to provide some drawing equipment and a scale ruler.
Costs
Scale ruler and drawing supplies, approximately $15-$20
Resources
Refer to the unit’s Canvas site for links to additional readings (via QUT Readings) and learning resources.
Lighting equipment, computer labs and studios are available on campus
Risk Assessment Statement
All students are requested to visit and review the Health and Safety information on the HiQ web pages (CIESJ Tier 1 HSE requirement). This unit also requires a Tier 2 CIESJ Health and Safety Induction which is provided by the technician on site in the theatre, workshop or studio. Some students may be required to complete a Tier 3 CIESJ Health and Safety Induction which is a hands on induction on specific machinery. Where substantial computer-based work is required you are recommended to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work, and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury.