Stage lighting designers

Lighting design is essentially the careful design of lighting systems to meet specific objectives and requirements. Lighting systems can include electric lighting, daylighting, or both, as well as any associated controls. Support for human vision, health, mood, and entertainment are common examples of lighting design objectives. Requirements can be quantitative (e.g., minimum illuminance) or qualitative (e.g., low discomfort glare). There are two basic types of lighting design practitioners, albeit with some overlap between these disciplines: architectural lighting designers and stage lighting designers. This is illustrated in the respective scope of their professional societies. For example: The International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) focuses on architectural lighting design. However, the IALD Education Trust includes theatrical lighting design students in its work. The Professional Lighting and Sound Association (PLASA) focuses on the event and entertainment industries, including theater. However, PLASA's LIT Lighting Design Awards competition has categories for both architectural lighting design and entertainment lighting design.