Author Bio – Scott Gracie
About the author – Scott’s passion for light and the electromagnetic spectrum began in his early teens while tinkering with electronics as a hobby. After finishing secondary schooling at Randwick North High School in Sydney Australia, Scott was formally introduced to the lighting industry while studying Electrical and Electronics. Then in 1998 he started his career making custom light fittings and lamps in his dad’s garage. Formal lighting-design qualifications expanded his opportunity to help project-manage and design on many industry levels.
Over twenty years on, Scott has worked on many infrastructure, commercial and architectural lighting projects. He is a member of the Illuminating Engineering Society of Australia & New Zealand, the Colour Society of Australia, the International Dark Sky Association, the Astronomical Society of the Pacific and the Australian division of the International Commission on Illumination CIE.
Author Q&A
What inspired you to write the book/ become an author?
Light in its many forms both visible and invisible is on one hand essential and on the other trivial. It surrounds us, travels through us, connects us and sustains life. It grants us the ability to see and perceive the world around us. We are bound by it and our very existence and survival depends on it for all life on our Earth and as we extend out into the solar system. But the majority of the population is oblivious to their interaction with electromagnetic energy, even though it is one of the most exploited limited resources we have.
I would like to inspire people to think about how they use and interact with all forms of light and how it interacts with them.
Why are you interested in light and the electromagnetic spectrum?
The electromagnetic spectrum still has the potential for furthering the advancement of our society. One such potential is the research being performed on Terra-hertz waves. Previously practically unusable due to their low energy, we are now able to amplify these waves making them commercially viable for opening up new industries based on different types of instruments previously unavailable. I’m also interested how from a lighting design point of view, light has the ability to define the structure of architecture and spaces.
What do you find most interesting about light?
Its versatility is astonishing. we use it to see, cook, communicate, keep warm and so much more.
What advice can you give to people wanting a career in the lighting industry?
The lighting industry has a lot to offer. Besides dedicated Lighting Designers, other connected industries such as Electrical Engineering, Architecture and Interior Design have specialists to incorporate lighting into their projects. Lighting suppliers are also another avenue to pursue if looking to work with light and become part of the industry.
Did you cover all topics about the electromagnetic spectrum and light?
Definitely not. There are many, many more interesting topics that can be read about. This book touches only on the basics of most topics in order to give the reader a better understanding of light and help inform them of its vast and versatile uses.
Do you have a mentor?
Yes, two. Nikola Tesla is the first as he invented the basis of much of today’s technology but is little known by the general population. He cared about advancing humanity with technology.
The second would definitely have to be the fictional character MacGyver. Inspiring me from a very early age, he can make anything out of the basics around him and his problem solving skills were awesome… even though perhaps a little more fiction than fact. He made me believe anything was possible if you put your mind to it.
I am also inspired by various people in the lighting community for their technical knowledge and architectural design capability and experience.