Lighting is a huge part of event design and production. The proper lighting, while often times in the background of your overall design, illuminates the room and the atmosphere of your event and often sets the tone for your function. As an event planner, you spend ample time designing and preparing the decor for your event and if the room is not lit properly, the details in your design can go unnoticed and unappreciated. Likewise, if you've hired an important speaker for your event, the appropriate lighting is a must to captivate your audience. We'd like to focus on three types of event lighting and offer you examples of each.

First, to the left is an example of backdrop lighting. Backdrops come on various shapes and sizes and can effectively carry out a theme for your event. Often large in scale, these backdrops are true works of art that need to be light properly to show their incredible detail and design.
In these two examples, the backdrops are lit from the bottom. The first is lit with clear bulbs, while the second is lit with bulbs and colored gels. Our eyes are trained to follow light, and by illuminating these backdrops from the bottom, our eyes naturally focus on them and help us embrace the ambiance of the design.

Second, up-lighting can also be applied to smaller details, such as florals, ice sculptures, decorations and so forth. Any interior designer will vow to the importance of lighting, and as an event planner, you also act as an interior designer for your venue space.
Good lighting design can awake the magic in spaces; the right lighting can change a mood or improve productivity. It can transform flat and unappealing spaces into an entirely new dimensional arena.

Nowadays, event decor is synonymous with art. And just as design is art, so is lighting design. Arie Louie, an award winning lighting designer and principal of Arie Lighting Designs says: "Just as the artist fills a canvas with brush strokes of paint, the lighting designer fills a space with light. Using composition, imagination, inspiration, creativity, vision and passion. A lighting designer also knows equipment, technology and science to make the art happen."

Lastly, a stage lighting designer must understand style, composition, balance, esthetics and human emotions. He must also understand the science of light, optics, vision, the psychology of perception and lighting technology. Using these tools the lighting designer must learn to think, feel and create with his heart. If other lighting elements have been properly applied, the result is a specific mood, created by the lighting design.
Is your mood set for your next event? Talk to a lighting specialist and start setting the
right mood.
Featured: Top:
Robinsons Designs and
PJ Hummel & Co.
Second:
Aria Style and
Seattle Ice SculpturesThird:
Designs by PJ Hummel & Co.Last:
Hollywood Lighting Services Inc., and
Event Experience