How to Become a Lighting Designer

A lighting designer sets up and manipulates lighting to set the mood and create a wide range of illusions that contribute to the success of stage, film and television productions.

After reading the script, the lighting designer makes notes of the simple lighting required to clearly illuminate the set and actors.

Potential lighting challenges and possible dark spots are discussed at this initial meeting.

Photos or paintings depicting the desired lighting results may be used, along with drawings and scale models of the set.

Direct lighting focuses on key people and places germane to the production.

Use spotlights to highlight your favourites.

See Your Home in the Best Light.

LED linear with recessed or surface circular downlights.

Determine the method of lighting.

Calculate the lighting parameters.

“Lights are magical, they can change moods, alter spaces and colors, modify an entire set and even make it completely disappear!” says Flavia Hevia, a Mexican lighting designer who has spent the last 20 years juggling light bulbs, follow spots, strobes, LED and chandeliers to turn the most stripped, empty spaces into magical places and to recreate countless cultures and eras on stage.

By witnessing the birth of a piece and capturing each artist’s energy during its growth, the lighting designer can significantly reduce the work load and tech time that await in the theatre.

Just like composers who can only hear melodies in their heads before putting it down on music sheets, lighting designers rely on a story board as the concepts and colors come to mind.

The huge project laboured over 17 people, including "architects, designers, lighting and acoustic specialists, and even an optical engineer to calculate the angle of the sun's rays on the chateau.".

Provide lighting specifications for interior/exterior/landscape lighting applications and create lighting schedules and all related design documentation as required.

In particular, lighting designers must have a breadth and depth of knowledge of lighting instruments, computer software for lighting, color theory, graphics and electronics.

While the specific skills that a Lighting Designer needs varies depending on industry, all Lighting Designers must be creative thinkers.

Lighting Designers also need good computer skills to master the specialized CAD software used to bring their visions to life.

People who have a strong work ethic will excel as a Lighting Designer.

It contains a great variety of resources helpful for all types of Lighting Designers.