HOW A PROFESSIONAL LIGHTING DESIGNER CAN BRING YOUR VISION TO REALITY

Professional lighting designers achieve both cost and code compliance by using experience, talent and expertise to guide each project from early concepts through construction and occupancy, with the strategic benefits of lighting quality at the forefront. Quality lighting design is a process pf communicating the value of visual performance, architectural appeal, energy efficiency, environmental sustainability and safety.

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A professional lighting designer:

• Meets the needs of the people who use the space

• Selects cost-effective and energy-efficient products most appropriate for the project

• Creates an innovative lighting solution that achieves the perfect balance of function and aesthetics

• Solves the unique lighting challenges of a wide range of interior and exterior environments

• Strengthens and enhances any space through creative, yet functional, lighting plans

 

When utilizing a professional lighting designer on a project, architects and end-users benefit from the designer’s unique ability to craft spaces, create drama, secure comfort and reveal the shapes and textures of a project. 

 

LIGHTING DESIGNERS CONSIDER LONG-TERM COSTS

The involvement of a professional lighting designer in a project can assure long-term cost-savings in terms of equipment, operations, people and aesthetics.

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EQUIPMENT COST CONTROL

A lighting designer may either provide a design to meet an established budget, or may help to establish the budget early in the design phase. The lighting designer will select equipment from numerous manufacturers to help keep bids competitive and/or recommend lighting equipment or techniques to reduce installation costs. Because a lighting designer does not manufacture, sell or install equipment, his or her involvement in the project may serve to encourage competition.

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OPERATIONS COST CONTROL

Methods to reduce long-term operations costs may be an important consideration for the owner. A professional lighting designer’s life cycle cost analysis will demonstrate the return on initial investment benefits of certain techniques or technologies. There are numerous ways in which a professional designer can introduce cost reduction methods to benefit the project, for example:

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• Avoiding over-lighting
  In some areas, costs can be reduced simply by not over-lighting a space. Over-lighting is common when visual issues are not understood, or when going by the book in determining candela requirements. Over-lighting also may occur if the recommendations of individuals who sell equipment are relied upon too heavily.

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• Improving reflectance + integrating daylight
  Improving the reflectance value of a surface can help reduce lighting costs, as well as integrating daylight with electric light.

 

• People costs
  Quality of light affects people costs, and a lighting designer can help maximize your efficiency. New studies are demonstrating the effects of lighting on retail sales, office productivity, and the ability to attract people to commercial downtown districts after dark. Lighting designers are keenly aware of these issues, as well as the techniques recommended for achieving positive results.

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• Aesthetical costs
  Technical skill can be learned, but talent cannot. The value-added for good creative design is difficult to assess, and will depend upon the appreciation of decision-makers. However, the difference between designed lighting and lighting that has not involved a professional lighting designer is apparent when standing in a finished space.

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WHY HIRE A PROFESSIONAL LIGHTING DESIGNER?

By integrating light into your overall design, a professional lighting designer helps achieve the perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality; between efficiency and innovation. Lighting designers understand the role of lighting in architecture and interiors, and utilize their extensive experience and knowledge of lighting equipment and systems to enhance and strengthen design.

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At Liska we have highly experienced lighting designers both from the IALD and MSLL community, both of which require its members to meet the highest educational and ethical standards in order to belong to its prestigious communities.

 

(Text from: 31st Annual IALD International Lighting Design Awards)