Laminate Flooring question?

I used engineered wood, but ran it the way you did. For a normal wood floor, it makes some sense to run it across the joist for better support. For laminate or engineered wood, you run it the way you want it to appear.

Do not cut every piece to 36" though, or it will look more like a ladder. From the rest of the floor you may have some short pieces. Use them, cut a piece to fit. Then do a full piece, then use the cut off from the first and make a mate for it. This will stagger the seams and look more natural, IMO.

Some say to run the floor the way the light comes in the window. That makes it look longer and has less shadow from imperfections.

I say, do it the way YOU like it.

Put it in so it will look best.

You lay the board so the long side points toward the light. Normally in a hallway that means the long side points down the hall. It will look better that way even if the hall is dark and some light comes from the rooms that open on the side of the hall. Also the waste should be much less laying it the long way down the hall, since the piece you cut off will be the starter piece for the next row.

The direction of the joists has no importance to laminate flooring. The subfloor just needs to be level and firm.