Why Hire a Lighting Designer?

There are many choices when it comes to lighting design. The decision to hire an independent lighting designer is one of understanding the value our expertise brings to your project.

What we do

We typically work with architects who are experts at developing plans, organizing space, specifying materials, and creating the vision for the aesthetic of the project. We add our knowledge to the team of experts in their respective disciplines like mechanical and electrical engineers, landscape architects, interior designers, structural engineers, audiovisual designers, and acousticians.

To get the most from your investment, trust a designer who is focused solely on blending the technical and artistic requirements to deliver a user-oriented system. Deciding on the right equipment for the right impact is an important consideration, but we also help the client manage costs. First and foremost, we are designers. We are trained in the art and science of illumination engineering and also focus on the user experience once the space is occupied.  More than simply providing for visual tasks, light reveals form, texture, and space.

We are not in the business of selling products. We are not paid by manufacturers to promote or specify their products. We are a fee-for-service business with a fiduciary responsibility to the owner.

LEDs and your project

Today, the proliferation of LED technology means there are more choices in equipment than ever before. Balancing color quality with the direction, intensity, and distribution of light are just some of the elements we consider in the overall design.

We bring our ongoing education in physics, optics, electricity, environmental and energy codes, construction techniques, and materials to balance the physical needs of the client and the budget to ensure the most value is achieved for the system.

What does it cost?

Many people think they don’t have the money to hire a lighting designer to be on the team, but in reality, we have designed projects where we have saved the owner 100% of our cost by being on the project while delivering a better project.  We are advocates for the owner.  “The best money I spent on the project was on that [lighting]” was an actual comment from an owner when the project was done.

Others may think we specify expensive equipment. At Darkhorse, we assist the owner in understanding the cost of lighting and control equipment at the beginning and the choices of alternatives so there are no surprises.

The bottom line

So while there are many experts in “lighting”, the value an independent lighting designer, like Darkhorse Lightworks, brings to your project is unsurpassed. Why hire a lighting designer? Why risk your project’s success on anything less?