Performance lighting designers develop a lighting design concept for a performance and supervise the execution of it. Their work is based on research and artistic vision. Their design is influenced by and influences other designs and must be conform with these designs and the overall artistic vision. Therefore, the designers work closely with artistic directors, operators and the artistic team. During rehearsals and performance, they coach the operators to obtain optimal timing and manipulation. Performance lighting designers develop lighting plots, cue lists and other documentation to support the operators and production crew. They sometimes also work as autonomous artists, creating light art outside a performance context.

Tasks

Tasks include -
(a) Determining the objectives and constraints of the design brief by consulting with clients and stakeholders;
(b) Undertaking research and analysing functional communication requirements;
(c) Formulating design concepts for the subject to be communicated;
(d) Preparing sketches, diagrams, illustrations and layouts to communicate design concepts;
(e) Designing complex graphics and animation to satisfy functional, aesthetic and creative requirements of the design brief;
(f) Creating two-dimensional and three-dimensional images depicting objects in motion or illustrating a process, using computer animation or modelling programmes;
(g) Negotiating design solutions with clients, management, sales and production staff;
(h) Selecting, specifying or recommending functional and aesthetic materials and media for publication, delivery or display;
(i) Detailing and documenting the selected design for production;
(j) Supervising or carrying out production in the chosen media.