The initial presentation at the beginning of my signature project, where I presented my initial research and early findings about Seasonal Affective Disorder, light therapy, contemporary lighting design, concluding on a project statement for my project. This was to display the direction I was going to go down for my research report and thus signature project.

1. To investigate and dissect areas of how to exploit
materials for their qualities and processes in an
experimental manner.
GEORGE
CONNOLLY
LIGHT THERAPY
Start
Expansion
Synopsis
Structure
Methodology
SAD
Shedding light on SAD
Light therapy
Creative lighting
Statement

2. To investigate and dissect areas of how to exploit materials
for their qualities and processes in an experimental manner.
Music Lighting Furniture
Expanding on the title
Start
Expansion
Synopsis
Structure
Methodology
SAD
Shedding light on SAD
Light therapy
Creative lighting
Statement
George Connolly
L6 Signature Project
Birmingham City University

3. Synopsis for report
- Investigate into the disorder SAD and
how lighting can be a form of therapy.
George Connolly
L6 Signature Project
Birmingham City University
EXPLORE. EXPERIMENT. EVOLUTIONISE
- Explore ways to combine and
collaborate materials.
- Research into symptoms of SAD
and the subsequential psychological
factors.
- Understand what is needed in light
therapy currently but also what is
missing, by finding exisiting products.
- To explore how light therapy could
be suited in a modern interior space.
Start
Expansion
Synopsis
Structure
Methodology
SAD
Shedding light on SAD
Light therapy
Creative lighting
Statement

4. structure to the research
George Connolly
L6 Signature Project
Birmingham City University
1. Executive Summary
2. Introduction
3. Research Methodology
4. Problem: Seasonal Affective Disorder
4.1 Historical context
4.2 SAD & the World
4.3 SAD Data
4.4 Psychological effects & Symptons
5. Light Therapy
5.1 Lighting, psychology and therapy
5.2 Existing products
5.3 Materials/technology
5.4 Environmental & human factors
6. Contemporary lighting & materials
7. Conclusion
8. Concepts
9. References
Start
Expansion
Synopsis
Structure
Methodology
SAD
Shedding light on SAD
Light therapy
Creative lighting
Statement

5. Method behind the madness
- Visit facilities that have sensory rooms.
- Professional advice from relevant people & charities such as MIND.
- Contacting Seasonal Affective Disorder association or other relevant associations.
George Connolly
L6 Signature Project
Birmingham City University
Primary resources
Secondary resources
- E-library & academic journals such as Mintel, Keynote & Summon, e.g. psych reference page.
- Books: lighting & materials/processes.
- Search engines, design websites (Dezeen, DesignBoom, Design Milk), blogs/vlogs.
- Fashion & design magazines such as GQ, Wallpaper*, Alto.
- Pinterest & collected *Pin images of current lighting.
- Data from sources such as the NHS, MIND or the Department of Health.
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Expansion
Synopsis
Structure
Methodology
SAD
Shedding light on SAD
Light therapy
Creative lighting
Statement

6. Seasonal Affective Disorder
George Connolly
L6 Signature Project
Birmingham City University
Seasonal Affective Disorder
75%of the population 200
hundred years ago worked
outdoors. sad.org.uk. (2014).
10%(less than) of the population
work in natural outdoor light
in the modern day.
sad.org.uk. (2014).
3-6%of people in the UK are
thought to experience
SAD. Williams, Michelle. (2013).
“Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression which occurs when you develop
symptoms of depression during the darker winter months each year.” Williams, Michelle. (2013).
Start
Expansion
Synopsis
Structure
Methodology
SAD
Shedding light on SAD
Light therapy
Creative lighting
Statement

7. Shedding light on sad
George Connolly
L6 Signature Project
Birmingham City University
Fig 13
Depression
Lack of
energy
Lack of
concentration
Over-
eating
Reoccurence
Mind for better mental health
(2013).
“I first started feeling low in the winter months... Now, every autumn when the
clocks change, I want to hide away and hibernate until it’s all over.”
(unkown quote) Mind for better mental health (2013).
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
March April May June July August
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
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Synopsis
Structure
Methodology
SAD
Shedding light on SAD
Light therapy
Creative lighting
Statement

8. Current Light therapy
George Connolly
L6 Signature Project
Birmingham City University
Fig 1
Fig 2
Fig 3
Fig 4
The current light therapy products on the market:
2500 -
10,000 lux
Light source needs
to be. Williams, Michelle. (2013).
30 - 45
minutes
sufficient therapy
time a day. Williams,
Michelle. (2013).
8 in 10
people
with SAD improve
with therapy. Williams,
Michelle. (2013).
Start
Expansion
Synopsis
Structure
Methodology
SAD
Shedding light on SAD
Light therapy
Creative lighting
Statement

9. Creative lighting
George Connolly
L6 Signature Project
Birmingham City University
Fig 5
Fig 6
Fig 7
Fig 8
Fig 9
Fig 10
Fig 11
Fig 12
Start
Expansion
Synopsis
Structure
Methodology
SAD
Shedding light on SAD
Light therapy
Creative lighting
Statement

10. ‘When it comes to Seasonal Affective Disorder, the spe-
cial lights used for the therapy are not very
diverse with the design, either aesthetically or
functionally. From an overview of my research there is a
lack of variation of materials, but also style with the current
light therapy products on the market. My aim is to design a
new light that is both therapeutic, as well as a
contemporary light for interior space.’
Personal statement
George Connolly
L6 Signature Project
Birmingham City University
Start
Expansion
Synopsis
Structure
Methodology
SAD
Shedding light on SAD
Light therapy
Creative lighting
Statement
EXPLORE. EXPERIMENT. EVOLUTIONISE

11. References
SAD page statistics 1 & 2: sad.org.uk. (1998-2014). Seasonal Affective Disorder – Why do we suffer in the UK and Ireland. Available at: http://www.sad.org.uk/. {Accessed} 16th December 2014.
SAD page statistics 3: Dr Tim Kenny, Dr Michelle Williams. (2013). Seasonal Affective Disorder. Available: http://www.patient.co.uk/health/seasonal-affective-disorder-leaflet. {Accessed} 16th December 2014.
SAD page quote 4: Williams, Michelle. (2013). What is seasonal affective disorder?. Available at: http://www.patient.co.uk/health/seasonal-affective-disorder-leaflet. {Accessed} 16th December 2014.
Shedding light page quote: Mind for better mental health. (2013). About SAD. Available at:: http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/seasonal-affective-disorder/#.VJHWxiusWwt.
{Accessed} 17th Dec 2014.
Shedding light page symptons: Mind for better mental health. (2013). What are the common signs of SAD?. Available at: http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/seasonal-affec-
tive-disorder/#.VJHWxiusWwt. {Accessed} 17th Dec 2014.
Shedding light page information: Mind for better mental health. (2013). About SAD. Available at:: http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/seasonal-affective-disorder/#.VJHWx-
iusWwt. {Accessed} 17th Dec 2014.
Current Light Therapy statistics: Williams, Michelle. (2013). Light therapy for seasonal affective disorder. Available at: http://www.patient.co.uk/health/seasonal-affective-disorder-leaflet. {Accessed} 16th December
2014.
Images
Figure 1: http://www.electronichealing.co.uk/sadrondo.htm
Figure 2: http://www.sad-lighthire.co.uk/
Figure 3: http://www.sad-lighthire.co.uk/product/luminette-sad-light-therapy-visor-only-229-00-featured-in-the-press-/176
Figure 4: http://www.healthcare4all.co.uk/medisana+lsc+photo+therapy+unit+sad+light
Figure 5: http://enochliew.tumblr.com/post/53749129627
Figure 6: http://trendland.com/chris-frasers-light-installations/
Figure 7: http://www.pinterest.com/achwip/lights/
Figure 8: https://twitter.com/wallpapermag/status/513037032588070913/photo/1
Figure 9: https://blog.thedpages.com/objets-nomades-louis-vuittons-new-line-of-travel-furnishings
Figure 10: http://mocoloco.com/archives/028514.php
Figure 11: http://design-milk.com/totem-table-lamp-alexandre-dubreuil-studio/
Figure 12: http://www.lgoledlight.com/application/lg-chem-collaboration-with-glas-trosch-17.do
Figure13: http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/seasonal-affective-disorder/#.VJHPOCusWws
References
George Connolly
L6 Signature Project
Birmingham City University