Design DNA USA
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www.arc-magazine.com
As part of its ongoing obsession with light and data, Light Collective was commissioned to create a new project to follow on from the previous iterations of the International Lighting Design Family Tree. Though each version of the Family Tree got bigger, none of the data had been realised in light until now. Design DNA is a project created by Light Collective in conjunction with US partners ArchLIGHT Summit and The Lighting Exchange. Seen as the ‘baby’ of the International Family Tree, it was envisioned as an opportunity for designers to find their own unique professional DNA signature. “Your professional DNA is something that either makes you stand out from the crowd or helps you identify those that you have most in common with,” said Light Collective. “Looking at career/experience, location, professional memberships, educational backgrounds and networks enables us to identify our differences and commonalities.” The idea for the installation was that attendees to the ArchLIGHT Summit, held in Dallas at the end of September, could compare these DNA strands with other attendees, as well as others in the lighting industry around the world, who could also input their data, even if they weren’t able to attend the show. Light Collective was invited to create something specific for the show by event strategy manager Cindy Foster-Warthen. The duo developed an idea that made the most of the opportunity to get data from in-person attendees, while