FABRIC OF OUR SOCIETY

The Fabric of Our Society column invites industry leaders to provide experience-based opinions and discussions on various topics. Diverse perspectives are respected and most welcome, but do not necessarily reflect the opinions of IESNYC or the Board of Managers. Want to contribute?  Email [email protected]

December 2025

From Bauhaus to Butter Cows:
Must We Choose a Color of Light? 

Scott Rosenfeld
Lighting Designer, Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery

After 30+ years, Smithsonian lighting designer Scott Rosenfeld is still learning and questioning. Can he reconcile color scientists, lighting scientists, and his own experience? "A good designer can make a wide variety of color temperatures work in the same scene. Go ahead and question the typical advice."   MORE >

November 2025

Designer and Advocate: Navigating Dual Roles

Edward Bartholomew
Founder and Principal, Bartholomew Lighting  |  Co-Founder and Executive Director, Light Justice
Founder and Former President, BUILD (Black United In Lighting & Design)

Edward Bartholomew discusses the “both/and” of lighting design and advocacy. “Light quality in these spaces is more than a design choice. It’s an act of care.”  We can ensure that lighting serves not just the privileged few, but every community that deserves to be seen, celebrated, and supported.  MORE >

October 2025

Is Lighting Cultural?

Ashley Chan
Designer, HLB Lighting Design

Moving from the Tropics to wonderful, weatherful New York City taught Ashley Chan how lighting design is shaped by geography, culture, and time. Light is powerful and ever-changing – evolving with time, place, and people.  MORE >

September 2025

Why Lighting Distributors Are Essential         

Sean Lafferty
President & CEO, Chelsea Lighting

Chelsea’s Sean Lafftery stresses the distributor’s leverage and calls for designers and distributors to partner early, communicate clearly, and make space (and budget) for each stakeholder to bring their strengths to the table.  MORE >

August 2025

Reducing Flicker: Is It Worth the Price?         

Naomi Miller 
Retired lighting nerd, but still fighting for quality lighting!

Naomi Miller sees flicker almost everywhere. But you can't expect her to live with it! She explains the latest research and the societal obstacles to the lighting industry’s solving widespread health issues.  MORE >

July 2025

Redesigning the Ladder: Let’s Bring More Women into Manufacturer Leadership      

Elaine Cook
Director of Business Development, Barbican
President & Co-Founder, Equity in Lighting

Elaine Cook sees a generation retiring. And up-and-comers want to build something meaningful, in a community that supports and grows with them. With a lifetime in lighting manufacturing, she offers five tips on building a ladder that serves everyone. MORE >

June 2025

The Zelig of Architectural Lighting Design   

Francesca Bettridge
Principal, Cline Bettridge Bernstein Lighting Design

Francesca Bettridge considers her four-decade career to be blessed: “I was a spectator, but also a lively and engaged participant. I am grateful for the creative partnerships of the designers and owners, and all the help and support of the lighting industry… all working together making extraordinary spaces.”   MORE >

May 2025

Price Check on the Lighting Industry   

Shant Madjarian
President, Juniper

If we don’t embrace transparency and change and take advantage of this opportunity for the betterment of the built environment, then another industry will come in and do it for us.  MORE >

April 2025

Track Lighting Controls: Pushing Beyond Legacy Limitations   

Nicholas Downham
Director of Technical Services, Lighting Services Inc.

Happily, track lighting continues to be as flexible and innovative as the spaces we illuminate. Nick Downham breaks down the range of today’s track lighting controls – from legacy analog systems to highly advanced, digital and wireless technologies – all completely viable in commercial architectural spaces.  MORE >

March 2025

The Legacy of Richard Kelly: Seeking the Next Generation of Lighting Innovation  

Stephen Bernstein 
Principal, Cline Bettridge Bernstein Lighting Design

Richard Kelly was a founder of the (still-young) lighting design profession, but it’s the coming generations who will reexamine its tenets and explore its frontiers. That’s why Stephen Bernstein serves on the Kelly Grant Committee. "Having served on the Richard Kelly Grant Board and jury for the last number of years, I've witnessed firsthand the evolution of this prestigious award." MORE >

February 2025

There’s a Hero in Each of Us 

Matthew Tirschwell
CEO/Founder, Tirschwell & Co., Inc.

Award-winning lighting designer Matthew Tirschwell made the news when he jumped onto the subway tracks and saved the life of a man struck by a train. This dramatic rescue reinforced his belief that we all have a duty to help the stranger in need. MORE >