Michael Hawkins graduated in May 2014 with a Masters of Fine Arts in Lighting Design from Parsons The New School for Design in new York City. After graduation he joined the team at Linnaea Tillett Lighting Design. Before making the switch to architectural lighting he was involved with theatrical and event lighting. The years before grad school allowed him to travel extensively with touring productions as well as create a home base in New York City.

The Dim
We are stuck in a light habit; go sit in the dim.
Throughout history about half of a human’s likfe was spent in low light levels, but today we rarely experience dimness because our nights are flooded with electric light. These nights of the past were fraught with perils; however they were also a time of socializing. Our eyes have evolved to be able to adapt to dimness and there is research suggesting that we may be healthier for it.
Experiencing the dim in a safe and social situation can be a life enriching experience. By utilizing dimness in lighting design, we can encourage a sense of community and closeness that is not attainable in a bright, evenly lit interior. In doing so, we are also creating a rich visual environment where form is relvealed through shadow. Dimness creates a space in which detail is left to the imagination, enhancing the users experience within the environment.