In this episode of the Lighting Matters Podcast, hosts Lisa Reed and Avi Mor are joined by Kyllene “Kelly” Jones, LEED AP, President and Co-CEO of Lighting Design Alliance, a lighting trailblazer, and our first female guest. Kelly shares her remarkable career path, from her initial dream of becoming an architect (inspired by her father), to discovering her true passion for lighting at the University of Kansas. She recounts her pivotal internships with industry giants like Randy Burkett and HOK, and how moving to Los Angeles and connecting with influential figures like Chip Israel, Andy Powell, and Lisa Reed shaped her career.

Learn about the creative challenges and innovative solutions behind high-profile projects, including bespoke fixtures for Disney and the iconic Beverly Hills Triangles street lighting. Kelly offers a masterclass in how historical and cultural research, combined with cutting-edge technology like 3D printing, plays a crucial role in refining and realizing unique lighting designs. You’ll hear Kelly discuss the hurdles of evolving lamp specifications and the necessity of consistent design aesthetics, and share anecdotes from her extensive project portfolio, including a memorable collaboration with the Cheesecake Factory. Whether you’re an aspiring designer or a seasoned professional, this episode provides invaluable insights into the creative and technical aspects of custom lighting design.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) Kelly's journey into lighting design, internships with influential figures, and skills gained along the way.
• (06:58) Custom lighting design process, themed projects for Disney, use of car paint, research for lanterns, the impact of 3D printing.
• (13:10) Collaboration between lighting and interior designers, technical guidance, custom fixtures, client standards, and budget impacts.
• (18:23) A theming project and a doubled budget, keeping important elements
• (25:50) The challenges of evolving lamp specifications and maintaining consistent design aesthetics in lighting, with anecdotes from projects and the importance of partnerships with distributors.
• (32:48) Restaurant clients, collaboration with IALD lighting designers can save costs and achieve desired looks, as seen in a Beverly Hills residential project.
• (42:07) Collaborating with experienced custom lighting manufacturers to balance creativity and practicality in unique designs.
• (51:00) Lighting is crucial in design, consult professional designers, and seek professional advice!
• Like and subscribe to hear all of our informative upcoming episodes!

About the show:

Lighting Matters is hosted by Lisa Reed and Avi Mor. In each episode, we’ll dig deep into the meticulous process of creating lighting design for architecture, showcasing industry leaders who balance artistic creativity with technical precision, and listen as they share their successes and challenges in architectural lighting design.

Resources:

Kyllene Kelly Jones LinkedIn

Lighting Design Alliance

Lisa Reed LinkedIn

Avraham Mor LinkedIn

In this episode of the Lighting Matters Podcast, hosts Lisa Reed and Avi Mor are joined by
Joe Zamore, a ‘luminary’ in the lighting design industry, who shares his extensive journey and invaluable insights. From his early days illuminating entertainment, nightclubs, and themed environments to his pivotal roles at industry giants like Martin and Color Kinetics, Joe's career is nothing short of inspirational. Now shaping the future at USAI Lighting, he speaks about the profound impact of truly understanding the needs of lighting designers and creating adaptable, high-value lighting solutions.

Joe shares the importance of engaging all project stakeholders—from contractors to maintenance teams—to ensure seamless execution and long-term success. With practical examples like the use of QR codes for installation and the challenges faced by university maintenance teams, we explore how tailored communication can mitigate issues and enhance project outcomes. As a "concierge" for the lighting design world, Joe's dedication to supporting designers with innovative products and unyielding support from USAI Lighting stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and the continuous evolution of the lighting industry. Join us for this enlightening episode filled with actionable advice and industry wisdom!

USAI Lighting, rooted in a legacy of innovation since the 1930s, stands as a leading force in the lighting industry. Based in New York's Hudson Valley and still family-owned, the company was founded by William Littman, who introduced the first fluorescent fixtures at the 1939 World’s Fair. Today, USAI Lighting continues this tradition of excellence under the guidance of the Littman family's third generation. Known for its groundbreaking advancements in lighting technologies, including LED, compact fluorescent, metal halide, and low-voltage halogen, USAI Lighting has earned numerous patents and awards for its cutting-edge products. The company's commitment to pushing the boundaries of illumination ensures that its LED solutions offer superior performance, consistent color, and precision in compact designs.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) USAI Lighting
• (04:50) Joe Zaymore shares his journey from entertainment lighting to USAI Lighting
• (09:00) Importance of values, storytelling and communication in design projects
• (16:00) Tailoring communication language to prevent mistakes and maintain project priorities
• (20:04) The Sphere project
• (22:00) Maintenance, practical examples of QR codes
• (30:49) Planning ahead for all parties, never fighting with clients
• (41:28) Initial client engagements and transparent discussions about budgets and scopes
• (47:00) Hotel case studies
• (50:00) Tailoring language to each party, pricing as the main focus
• (55:00) USAI Lighting's innovative products and support for designers
• Like and subscribe to hear all of our informative upcoming episodes!

About the show:

Lighting Matters is hosted by Lisa Reed and Avi Mor. In each episode, we’ll dig deep into the meticulous process of creating lighting design for architecture, showcasing industry leaders who balance artistic creativity with technical precision, and listen as they share their successes and challenges in architectural lighting design.

Resources:...

In this episode of the Lighting Matters Podcast, hosts Lisa Reed and Avi Mor are joined by Paul Beale, the co-founder of 18 Degrees, a London-based lighting studio renowned for its innovative approach to architectural lighting design. Paul shares the unexpected story of how he’s turned his focus towards sustainability by rescuing flat-panel light fixtures destined for landfills. As he finds himself with a growing inventory of saved fixtures, Paul is now on a mission to find new homes for these lights, sparking a conversation about waste reduction and the environmental impact of our industry.

With over 25 years of experience, Paul Beale is not only a leader in lighting design but also an advocate for responsible practices within the field. He has served on the board of directors of the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) and currently advises the European Commission on lighting-related issues. His insights are sure to inspire listeners to think differently about the life cycle of lighting products and the role of sustainability in design.

Tune in as we explore the challenges and opportunities of integrating sustainable practices into the world of lighting design, and enjoy a few laughs along the way as Paul recounts his journey from design projects to renting new space for storing his salvaged fixtures.

Paul Beale was a founder of the London-based lighting design studio18 Degrees in 2017. He believes that great lighting changes lives for the better and has build a practice to bring excellence in lighting design to projects of all kinds all around the world. Paul has served on the board of directors of the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) and currently serves on the IALD Europe steering committee and advises the European Commission on lighting-related issues. He also regularly writes articles for industry publications, speaks at design conferences, and participates in panel discussions.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) Intro and background on Paul Beale, ‘unflinching’ co-founder of 18 Degrees
• (05:00) The Cambridge project story - Reusing LEDs and the sustainability challenge
• (11:45) Saving and cataloging discarded lights in a storage warehouse
• (17:00) Efficient LED lighting system implementation
• (19:46) ESCOs in the U.S.
• (22:00) Sustainability consultants, efficiency and longevity of lighting controls
• (32:10) Service and service companies
• (35:00) We can’t settle for this is just “the way it is” in our industry…
• (37:00) Partner selection process in construction
• Like and subscribe to hear all of our informative upcoming episodes!

About the show:

Lighting Matters is hosted by Lisa Reed and Avi Mor. In each episode, we’ll dig deep into the meticulous process of creating lighting design for architecture, showcasing industry leaders who balance artistic creativity with technical precision, and listen as they share their successes and challenges in architectural lighting design.

Resources:

Paul Beale LinkedIn

18 Degrees

Lisa Reed LinkedIn