Lighting designer
Also known as: lighting designer & technician, theatre lighting designer, lighting designer and technician, lighting technician & designer, lighting technician and designer
About this occupation
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.
Essential skills and knowledge
- develop design ideas cooperatively
- work ergonomically
- follow safety procedures when working at heights
- use communication equipment
- coach staff for running the performance
- propose improvements to artistic production
- communicate during show
- analyse a script
- perform quality control of design during a run
- monitor sociological trends
- analyse the artistic concept based on stage actions
- understand artistic concepts
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Business Operations Specialists, All Other (O*NET 13-1199.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
US median pay: US$83,050 a year (2025), 1,087,090 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.