Lighting Designer Legal, Social & Cultural Technicians
SaveWhat Does a Lighting Designer Do?
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. Lighting designers develop lighting plots, cue lists and other documentation to support the operators and production crew. Lighting designers sometimes also work as autonomous artists, creating light art outside a performance context.
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Where Do I Start?
Adapt Existing Designs To Changed Circumstances
Adapt an existing design to changed circumstances and ensure that the artistic quality of the original design is reflected in the final result.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Lighting Designer
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialAdapt Existing Designs To Changed Circumstances skill
Adapt an existing design to changed circumstances and ensure that the artistic quality of the original design is reflected in the final result.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAdapt To Artists' Creative Demands skill
Work with artists, striving to understand the creative vision and adapting to it. Make full use of your talents and skills to reach the best possible result.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAnalyse A Script skill
Break down a script by analysing the dramaturgy, form, themes and structure of a script. Conduct relevant research if necessary.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAnalyse Score skill
Analysing the score, form, themes and structure of a piece of music.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAnalyse The Artistic Concept Based On Stage Actions skill
Analyse the artistic concept, form and structure of a live performance based on observation during rehearsals or improvisation. Create a structured base for the design process of a specific production.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAnalyse The Scenography skill
Analyse the selection and distribution of material elements on a stage.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAssess Power Needs skill
Prepare and manage the provision of electrical power for different areas.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCoach Staff For Running The Performance skill
Give instructions to all team members about how they should run the performance.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCommunicate During Show skill
Efficient communication during live performance, anticipate any possible malfunctioning.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDevelop Design Concept skill
Research information to develop new ideas and concepts for the design of a specific production. Read scripts and consult directors and other production staff members, in order to develop design …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDevelop Design Ideas Cooperatively skill
Share and develop design ideas with the artistic team. Conceptualise new ideas independently and with others. Present your idea, gain feedback and take it into account. Make sure the design …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFollow Safety Procedures When Working At Heights skill
Take necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMeet Deadlines skill
Ensure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMonitor Developments In Technology Used For Design skill
Identify and explore recent developments in technology and materials used in the live performance industry, in order to create an up-to-date technical background for one's personal design work.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMonitor Sociological Trends skill
Identify and investigate sociological trends and movements in society.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPerform Quality Control Of Design During A Run skill
Control and ensure the quality of design results during a run.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPresent Detailed Design Proposals skill
Prepare and present detailed design suggestions for a specific production to a mixed group of people, including technical, artistic and management staff.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPropose Improvements To Artistic Production skill
Assess past artistic activities with a view to improving future projects.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialResearch New Ideas skill
Thorough research for information to develop new ideas and concepts for the design of a specific production based.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSafeguard Artistic Quality Of Performance skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUnderstand Artistic Concepts skill
Interpret an artist's explanation or demonstration of their artistic concepts, inceptions and processes and strive to share their vision.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUpdate Design Results During Rehearsals skill
Updating the design results based on observation of the stage image during the rehearsals, especially where the different designs and the action are integrated.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUse Communication Equipment skill
Set up, test and operate different types of communication equipment such as transmission equipment, digital network equipment, or telecommunications equipment.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialWork Ergonomically skill
Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialWork Safely With Mobile Electrical Systems Under Supervision skill
Take the necessary precautions while providing temporary power distribution for performance and art facility purposes under supervision.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDraw Up Lighting Plan skill
Create technical drawings and documentation within the lighting department.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFocus Stage Lights skill
Focus, direct, adjust and tune stage lights, either alone or leading a group. Coordinate with the team to determine the optimal lighting.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSupervise Plotting Of Stage Lights skill
Make sure cues for stage lights are adequately entered into the lightboard. Put in levels, positions, changeovers, etc.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialTake Measurements Of Performance Space skill
Measure the performance space in order to calculate the amount of lighting equipment needed and where to place them.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialVerify Feasibility skill
Interpret an artistic plan and verify whether the described design can be executed.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 21 displayed)
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OptionalCopyright Legislation knowledge
Legislation describing the protection of the rights of original authors over their work, and how others can use it.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalLabour Legislation knowledge
Legislation, on a national or international level, that governs labour conditions in various fields between labour parties such as the government, employees, employers, and trade unions.
Recommended Books
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OptionalAdapt Artistic Plan To Location skill
Adjust plans to other locations with regards to the artistic concept.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalAnalyse The Need For Technical Resources skill
Define and make a list of the required resources and equipment based on the technical needs of the production.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDocument Your Own Practice skill
Documenting your own work practice for different purposes like assessment, time management, job application etc.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDraw Up Artistic Production skill
File and document a production in all its phases right after the performance period so that it can be reproduced and all relevant information remains accessible.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEnsure Safety Of Mobile Electrical Systems skill
Take the necessary precautions while providing temporary power distribution independently. Measure and power up an installation.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalKeep Personal Administration skill
File and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalLead A Team skill
Lead, supervise and motivate a group of people, in order to meet the expected results within a given timeline and with the foreseen resources in mind.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOrganise Resources For Artistic Production skill
Coordinate human, material and capital resources within artistic productions, based on the given documentation e.g. scripts.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalProvide Documentation skill
Prepare and distribute documentation to ensure all people involved in the production receive relevant and up-to-date information.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalTranslate Artistic Concepts To Technical Designs skill
Cooperate with the artistic team in order to facilitate the transition from the creative vision and its artistic concepts to a technical design.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalUpdate Budget skill
Make sure that a given budget remains up to date using most recent and most accurate information. Anticipate possible variations and ensure that the set budgetary goals can be reached …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalUse Personal Protection Equipment skill
Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalWork With Respect For Own Safety skill
Apply the safety rules according to training and instruction and based on a solid understanding of the prevention measures and risks to your own personal health and safety.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalFocus Lighting Equipment skill
Focus already installed conventional lighting equipment, based on directions and information from somebody on the floor.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalInstall Lighting skill
Set up, connect and test lighting equipment in a live performance environment.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOperate A Lighting Console skill
Operate a light board during rehearsal or live situations, based on visual cues or documentation.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPlot Lighting States skill
Set up and try out lighting states.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPlot Lighting States With Automated Lights skill
Technically manipulate light boards for automated lights. Set up and try out lighting states with automated lights.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalSet Up Light Board skill
Install, connect and try out light board in a live performance environment.
Course recommendations coming soon.