Stirring Emotions Through Lighting Design
I asked Google.
It seems I wasn’t alone in my curiosity. A few forums and research papers later, I’ve now confirmed this: humans are indeed drawn to and comforted by light. Inadvertently, I’ve also discovered the world of color psychology.
From years of event production experience, we know that colour has a huge impact on event atmosphere. In the article “Color or Color (The Psychology of Color)” author Walter Graff says “Color has an incredible effect on your mood, your perception, and your likes and dislikes.”
Colour alone, however, is little without effective lighting—something of a specialist science and art. International Association of Lighting Designers contributor, Stefan Graf says that “it is controlling this difficult, transitory medium that gives the lighting ‘artist’ the ability to create hierarchies, dynamics and mood.”
MOOD LIGHTING AT EVENTS – AFFECTING HOW PEOPLE FEEL
The IALD suggests good lighting can enhance the mood and desirability of spaces and contribute greatly to people's sense of well-being. Agreed! The relevance for event management companies is designing event experiences with a comfortable, enjoyable atmosphere.
Some fantastic examples of event lighting are shown on VenueAgent blog. In her article “Event Lighting: Choosing What's Best For Your Event” Jocelyn Cates shows us there is a reason behind the term ‘mood lighting’.
USING LIGHTING EFFECTS TO PORTRAY A BRAND
But take lighting and illumination one step further and we can see how lighting design and effects can creatively communicate corporate, not for profit or government brands in an event context.
For corporate events and outdoor events for the community, my Brisbane event management company - j2 ideas & events, has long considered lighting design as a creative extension of event design. In fact, we agree with Stefan Graf that lighting is not just about improving visibility, but complementing form (architecturally speaking), program and color.
BRING ON A LIGHTING DESIGNER FOR YOUR EVENT
Working with a lighting designer is a fantastic way to get amazing results from your event styling and creating direction.
The SU QLD Frontline Chaplaincy Appeal and VIVID SYDNEY: lights, music, ideas are two great examples of professional event lighting design and effects.
Two very different cases, Frontline shows how the event manager uses lighting within a dinner event format to take an audience on an emotional journey. VIVID SYDNEY, on the other hand, although intrinsically a ‘lighting’ event, demonstrates how colour and illumination are the building blocks of an entertaining program that stops people in their tracks, and engages them city-wide.
1. STIRRING EMOTIONS – UMBRELLAS AND LIGHTING EFFECTS
Annual fundraising dinner, SU QLD Frontline Chaplaincy Appeal involved 60 lighting and audiovisual cues in 2012. The impact of event lighting effects as part of the overall creative program was that it activated audience members’ compassion and contributed to record-high donations totalling $725,000.Creative concept and branding: j2 ideas & events worked with the BCEC and Iceworks Design to hang white umbrellas from the Great Hall’s ceiling. The idea was to reflect that ‘not every day is a sunny day for kids across Queensland’.
Pristine, white, unbranded umbrellas were suspended at varying heights, framing the stage and front screen then moving out into the void above guest tables.
Lighting effects and illumination design: Critical to the success of the umbrella installation was effective illumination. Lighting design specialists, jlx, were engaged. jlx brought the umbrellas to life by programming subtle lighting changes to enhance the mood in the room at key moments.
Upon guest entrance, the Great Hall was awash in cool blues. Lighting effects simulated a thunder storm during the opening sequence.Throughout speech segments, the warm glow of golds and yellows wrapped the stage. Reflecting hope and bright possibilities, these shades also played in harmony with SU QLD Frontline Chaplaincy Appeal branding.
Upon reaching the climatic musical entertainment segment, beautifully designed, coloured lighting unquestionably helped The Ten Tenors to envelope the audience with their sound and emotion. There is an undeniable impact of 10 people on stage, blending their impassioned voices with such mastery under the deeply emotional pull of a fiery red glow.
2. ENGAGING YOUR AUDIENCE THROUGH LIGHTS, MUSIC AND IDEAS
In a j2 blog on the Power of Projection, we’ve already shared our appreciation for Spinifex Group’s projection technology talent on “Play” at the Sydney Opera House as part of VIVID SYDNEY: lights, music, ideas.
Projection aside, VIVID SYDNEY 2013 saw how lighting industry specialists contributed to a wonderful events program of lighting, illumination and large scale projection, used in everything from street theatre to interactive sculptures, parades, building displays and programmed entertainment content.
Jump on the VIVID SYDNEY site for great events highlight packages that show what we mean.
KNOWING WHEN TO BRING IN EVENT LIGHTING SPECIALISTS
One of the great things about a seasoned event management professional – they know when to ask for help. Some events have critical technical and creative demands, which are compounded by short lead times.
After 25 years in the event management industry I know when to assemble a specialist event team to manage complexities around rigging, acoustics, projection surfaces and 'look and feel' of function spaces.
Although lighting and illumination are a passion of mine, lighting designers will continue to rate highly on j2’s specialist suppliers list.
The main thing we should achieve together through event creative direction and event management, I think is best summed up by Co.Design contributors Paulette Bluhm and Kristi Elliot-Heitman:
“Create experiences with simple and joyful moments that people can’t live without.
And don’t stop there--do continue to wow people.”
x Jo Jordan
Company & Creative Director
Brisbane Event Management Company | j2 ideas & events
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