Interaction & Expression
Using the Pausch Bridge Lighting
Fall 2025
Carnegie Mellon University, College of Fine Arts and School of Computer Science
Course Number: CFA 62-661, CS 15-661
Course Credit: 4 units, pass/fail or graded
Course Meeting: Mon 5:00-6:20pm, GHC 4301, A2 mini
Instructors:
Mary Ellen Stebbins, mstebbin@andrew.cmu.edu
Garth Zeglin, garthz@cmu.edu
Course Description:
Working in cross-disciplinary teams, students will explore light as art, interactive design and programming using a Pharos lighting control system. Students will explore the use of light and interaction using the actual controls within the Randy Pausch Memorial Bridge. Student teams will develop final projects that will be exhibited on the Randy Pausch Memorial Bridge.
Prerequisites: none
Open to undergraduate and graduate students. Enrollment limited to 12 per number, 24 total.
Learning Objectives:
Build collaborative skills – In the spirit of the Pausch Bridge metaphor learn to successfully collaborate with classmates across disciplines
Develop knowledge of expressive tools – Learn new tools of interaction and expression such as the Pharos lighting control system and generative programming and put them into practice
Expand creativity and wonderment – Surprise, exceed, transform, and go beyond what has been done before
Project Goals:
The goals of the course and project will help you develop and improve the following skills:
Light as narrative – Understand the process of designing time-based lighting visual narratives
Interpretation of light – Understand how to translate abstract concepts into specific images of light
Light as temporal medium – Understand how time and motion can influence the meaning of a visual message
Projects:
This is a mini studio course with time devoted to lecture, discussion, work sessions, and critique of student work. This course will culminate with a showing and critique of group-based lighting projects to be conceived, designed, and implemented on the Randy Pausch Memorial Bridge using the Pharos Lighting Controller.
Rules of engagement:
As a mini, it is critical that you be fully engaged with your project and group for the full duration of the mini. As such we have the following course rules:
Be there!
Attendance of all classes is mandatory. You are allowed one excused absence for the semester without penalty; thereafter, you will receive zero credit for the missed studio. To receive an excused absence, you must ask in advance, and receive an acknowledgement from the instructor. Excusable absences include family emergencies, job interviews, and presenting at a conference. It does not include wanting to leave early for a long weekend or vacation. To receive credit for attendance you must arrive on time.
Be active!
During the in-class critique everyone is expected to be engaged in the discussion. Final project, timely attendance, and in-class and team participation are all critical parts of your grade.
Generative AI
We generally discourage use of generative AI tools, but use is permissible within the following constraints. You must acknowledge any use of such tools, describing the system in use and a brief summary of your process. No AI-generated imagery or text may be included verbatim in your assignment submissions. You are still responsible for the design intent of any produced content and must be prepared to justify your creative choices.
Grading criteria:
- Attendance
- Participation in class, during critiques, and within your group
- Rigorous design explorations
- Quality of craftsmanship and level of completion of final project
- Final grade: You have the Option of Pass/Fail or Receiving a Grade
Schedule Fall 2025:
- Mon Oct 20:
- Introduction to the course and project
- Visual introduction to architectural lighting
- Introduction to the bridge technology
- Group formation
- Date and time TBD: nighttime bridge lighting workshop
- Mon Oct 27:
- Light and Color Theory
- Lighting Control and Programmed Art
- Pharos Designer 2 tutorial
- Mon Nov 3:
- Groups present project design ideas and visual research
- Groups present project design ideas and visual research
- Mon Nov 10:
- Programming Techniques and Project Questions
- Programming Techniques and Project Questions
- Mon Nov 17:
- Prelim Design Presentations 2-4 minute video “Proof of Concept”
- Prelim Design Presentations 2-4 minute video “Proof of Concept”
- Mon Nov 24:
- Integration Review: selected 4-5 minute live demo after dark
- Integration Review: selected 4-5 minute live demo after dark
- Mon Dec 1
- 6pm Evening Final Live Presentation on the Pausch Bridge with Discussion
- No Class Session 5-6pm