This story was written by Carter Hartong, associate content marketing writer for Vectorworks. Read more from Hartong and Vectorworks.
As a multiple Tony Award-winner, simply calling Donald Holder a lighting design expert is an understatement.
Holder is an artist with work spanning theater, opera, dance, and even architecture. His work is evidence enough that he’s someone who understands the power of design and light.
Plus, he has tons of great advice for other lighting designers! Keep on reading for his 10 tips.
1. Find Ways To "See" Light
Holder’s first piece of advice is to observe the world around you and the light you see. Sunsets, sunrises, dawn, moonlight, and more can inspire your next lighting designs.
2. Watch The Classics
They’re classics for a reason.
Whether they’re classics of the stage or screen, Holder thinks you should spend time watching the best works of the last 50 to 60 years.
3. Study Your Peers
It can be modern cinema, local theater, or touring shows — just remember you can learn a lot from your peers.
4. Examine Other Disciplines
Holder encourages lighting designers to also check out the work of other visual artists, whether they be painters, photographers, or creators through any other medium. According to Holder, when you look at art from the likes of Rembrandt and Vermeer, you can learn a good deal about light. After all, visual arts tend to feature the manipulation of light and perspective.
He says that doing so will give you a “new awareness of light” and will have a “profound and lasting influence on the work you do as a lighting designer.
5. Study The Impact Of Light On Objects
Another piece of advice from Holder, and one you can follow regardless of where you are in your career, is to study the impact of light on objects. The lighting designer said, “Study how man-made or artificial light plays on the surface of objects: the differences in color, shadows, and angles between reading lamps at home, the streetlights outside, the light in your classroom or office, etc.”
6. Read, Read, and Read Some More
Holder thinks that you should read “as much as you can.” And, there’s plenty out there to read about. You can read about other lighting designers, you can read industry news, or maybe you could read Joseph Oshry’s Studies of Light In the World and on the Stage.
7. Develop Your Imagination
Another one of Holder’s tips for lighting designers is to sharpen your strongest tool: your imagination.
He said, “Become as articulate and knowledgeable as you can about as many subjects as possible. Study art, art history, politics, history, literature, music theory, and composition. Learn to play an instrument. Any or all of the above will feed your mind and develop your imagination and creativity.”
8. Lean On Those Around You
One of our favorite pieces of advice from the multiple-Tony-award winner is continuing to talk with those closest to you, whether it be family, friends, or colleagues. Leaning on those you love and respect will give you the chance to discuss some of the recent works you’ve seen or read. But, perhaps more importantly, you can talk with them about your work, its challenges, or whatever you need to talk about to stay at your best!
If you’re looking to connect with local designers, build your network, or learn new skills, we suggest checking out Vectorworks Community Groups.
9. Hone Your Communication Skills
Holder also believes you should place care and attention into your communication skills. As Holder put it, “Excellent communication is crucial in order to become a successful lighting designer.”
10. Keep Searching For, And Learning, New Skills
Holder’s final tip for you is to never stop searching for new ways to improve your design skills.