Ten Questions To Ask Your Prospective Lighting Designer
By Howard Brandston
Lighting designer Howard Brandston offers a set of questions that go well beyond the specifics of lighting design, which in his experience and opinion offer prospective clients a way to evaluate a lighting designer.
Light and lighting play an important role in the design of any space. It is clear that the objectives and goals of any project should be the primary concern when selecting a professional to provide design and technical services for a project. Often, non-project related questions may provide some insight about the knowledge and dedication to the profession of the prospective design professional that are not project related. The following is a suggested inquiry that might provide some valuable insight about the consultant being considered.
What do you think is the most significant contribution you have made that deals with light?
What is your most significant contribution to the art, science, and practice of lighting?
Have you made any significant educational contributions to your profession and the public-at-large?
How well recognized, by those who judge this type of contribution, have your contributions been acknowledged in each of the above categories?
Have you ever been the recipient of an educational or research grant?
Have you ever served on a government agency or task force related to your profession?
What socially significant work have you done that is outside the realm of your profession?
What is the most important work you have done? What makes it important?
What is the dollar value of your largest design project? How many projects have you done that are similar in dollar value?
What is the diversity of project types that you have done the design for?
