Emrah Baki Ulas is an established designer and academic with specialisation in lighting design.  He practices as a Lighting Designer at Steensen Varming, his responsibilities include design leadership, management, and advice in regular liaison with internal and external collaborators.

As a senior lecturer and researcher at University of Technology Sydney (UTS) he contributes to the architecture and interior architecture programmes at the Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building.

Emrah strives for a stronger integration of theory and philosophy into design practice.  He has been a frequent contributor at professional forums, conferences and universities around the globe.  His work and projects have been published internationally, earning awards, accolades and recognitions.

Inspired by the title of the famous novel The Unbearable Lightness of Being, this talk explores various perspectives to the future of lighting design education in the future.

What would be the value and meaning of design education at large? How would tomorrow’s designers need to equip themselves with skills, knowledge and perspective to be ready for the future of lighting design? Will real-time self-learning options of the future outpace the university structure of education to expand knowledge and evolve in the field of lighting.

Will artificial intelligence remove the need for lighting designers? Will vocational training be of value? Will on-the-job training be possible? Will theoretical or hands-on knowhow be valuable? How will the profile of the lighting design professional evolve in the ever-changing world?