What a lighting designer brings to your project

A lighting designer

integrates the arts, sciences and business of illumination design and implementation far beyond the basic concern of visibility.  Lighting designers work as part of a design team alongside the architect, builder, engineer, and audio visual consultant. Professional lighting designers bring proven technical abilities and creative design techniques to their projects. The value-added services they provide can make or break the success of a project.

Technology

Hundreds of new lighting products and innovations are introduced annually.  Lighting designers must continually update product information, application guidelines, and examine samples from hundreds of manufacturers across the world to keep up with the technological advances

Technique

Illumination is the implied partner of architecture. Light is invisible until it strikes an object or surface.  In the absence of light an object or surface cannot be fully defined.  Controlling this medium is what gives the lighting designer the ability to create hierarchies, dynamics and mood.  Lighting design has become a creative extension of architectural design, complementing form and color.

Qualifications

Knowledge of physics, optics, electricity, ergonomics, physiology, business, building codes, environmental issues, construction methods and the art of design are all essential when creating great lighting solutions. Lighting professionals must continually educate themselves to provide the best possible service.

Value

Why should an architect or end user pay for lighting design services when it can be done in house or by a salesperson at no additional “cost”? The fees a lighting designer charge are difficult to justify when the extent and value of the services are not understood. People who have benefited from good lighting design realize there are both short and long-term paybacks that far outweigh the fee. Here are a few examples:

Equipment

Lighting designers can provide a design to meet an established budget, but are most helpful when involved in establishing the budget. They will select equipment from various manufacturers to help keep bids competitive and recommend lighting equipment or techniques to reduce installation costs. The designer will also work with the client to achieve budget objectives without sacrificing design intent.

People

Quality of light affects people on many levels; it can affect their general feeling of well being, vitality, mood and even health.   Lighting quality has been proven to directly affect retail sales, the productivity of office workers, education, safety and security.  Lighting designers are focused on these goals and the techniques needed to accomplish them. 

Aesthetic

Technical skill can be learned or engineered, but natural talent cannot.  It is difficult to calculate the monetary value for unique and creative design.  However, the difference between a mathematical lighting design and one that brings architecture to life is more often felt than seen.