The Secret Sauce: Lighting Designers

Today we spotlight the hidden geniuses behind great lighting: lighting designers. They ensure that the lighting is an essential part of the design process, laying the foundation for the detail in all types of spaces, from the home to commercial areas.

Collaboration Between Lighting Designers and Architects

Lighting designers often work with architects to create magnificent, functional spaces and support their vision for the project. The lighting designer does a number of different tasks, from selecting the correct color temperatures to complement interior finishes to integrating advanced lighting controls for energy efficiency. There is a lot of responsibility involved in the lighting designer’s role.

ADG’s Principal Designer

Gerald Olesker, ADG’s principal lighting designer, brings an architectural background to his work, graduating with a degree in architecture from Cal Poly Pomona. His background provides a great foundation for excellence in lighting design, understanding the process of how architecture integrates with lighting design and the importance of functional detail. His collaboration with architects such as Homer Oatman, William Hefner, and Richard Landry all reflect his vision for lighting and how it enhances the architectural detail in a room.

The Influence of Great Lighting Design

Great lighting design influences mood and environment, hence the importance of a great lighting designer. Whether you want romantic ambience or functionality, a good lighting designer can make this happen. Many lighting designers create fixtures that border on the whimsical, using various materials. It is required to have an open, creative mind to create lighting, and also requires collaborative skills. 

There are different types of lighting, including task lighting, which is functional; accent lighting, which serves a decorative purpose; and general lighting, which illuminates an area. The right lighting designer can implement these types of lighting depending on the needs of a client.

Beyond creating a mood, the lighting designer also needs to keep in mind the needs of the occupants, whether it’s creating a specific mood or adding a certain functionality. The importance of creating harmony between lighting and architectural elements is left up to the lighting designer. Besides improving the appearance of an area, there are also positive psychological effects when the right lighting is in place.

Lighting designers work with architects and other specialists to enhance the architectural details of a space, and often use 3D models and simulations to visualize how different lighting schemes impact the space. The result of light and structure ultimately determines how the space will visually appear.

There is no doubt that the talents of the lighting designer, combined with the architect’s vision, make for a harmonious collaboration.