Up Close With Archit Jain

By Shirley Coyle, LC

Growing up in New Delhi, Archit Jain was interested in design, and developed an affinity to the profession, even having a high school professor mention to Archit that he could try architecture. Archit recalled, “There was an architect living just a few houses down from our home. I would always go to his nameplate, hide the last part of Architect, and say, see - my name is right here!’

After finishing a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and working in India for a couple of years, Archit arrived at the University of Southern California (USC) where he was pulled toward lighting as he completed his Masters in Building Science.

After applying to a few lighting design firms, Archit decided to go with Lighting Design Alliance. He spent the next 13 years there, going from assistant designer to principal, eventually running one of the studios within the firm, focusing on international work, with some U.S. retail, residential and commercial in the mix.

During his time with Lighting Design Alliance, Archit was able to learn the lighting design business from Chip Israel and to learn a “slow” design process from colleague Don Gerztoff, former partner of the great Lesley Wheel.

A big challenge came with the decision to start a new lighting design firm, Oculus Light Studio, in 2012 with business partner Scott Hatton. “It was very challenging when you’ve never run a business before,” Archit laughed, remembering, “We had forgotten how to do any CAD, or how to make presentations, and quickly realized we needed to hire for that. It was about six months before we were paid on anything we did - that was tough!

We started out small and have grown steadily since then, from two of us, to fifteen now, and another joining soon. For us, work/ life balance is really important. We wanted to see how a firm can be good for the people in the firm, and we implemented the things we liked.

Reflecting on issues in lighting these days, Archit noted that “pricing is always a struggle because it’s not transparent, not equitable. Too many internal alliances, deal making between manufacturers, rep agencies, distributors, contractors. We maintain good relationships with our local reps – we trust them, but sometimes things start moving, and the price becomes way more expensive than expected.

In 8 of 10 cases, we can give realistic estimates to ownership, but for the others, it’s much higher – too many markups. As a lighting community, we need to get the pricing issue resolved. As a lighting designer, if I am not aware of the pricing at which the lighting is being sold to my clients, I lose credibility over time.

Reflecting on his success, Archit offered two words that he recalls hearing several years ago at an IALD Enlighten Conference session: humility and fearlessness. “I’ve conveyed to our team that these are two very important words for us as lighting designers. We must approach our work from a place of humility, in collaboration. Unlike the architect, the lighting designer does not start with a blank slate. We need to know the project first. My role is to give the client team the best lighting design for their budget – or educate them on why spending a little bit extra will result in a much better design. It is my role to make the project successful, not to say – here is my design, take it or leave it!”

“The fearlessness comes in giving your honest opinion – in this group, as the lighting designer, you know the most about lighting. And when the client wants to cut out a certain amount of lights, I will not be hesitant in giving you my honest opinion – that it will not be helpful in the long run as the project will not look good.”

He added, “Along with these two important words, the other word is respect – respect for our internal teams and external teams. Internally, making sure that everyone is working good hours, that their voices are being heard, and that we are running a firm that is being compassionate about what people are experiencing in their work and personal lives. To me – the humility and fearlessness, coupled with respect, becomes important in everything we do.”

Archit also noted the importance of giving back to the lighting community, explaining, “With twenty-seven years in the lighting community in L.A., I have always stayed involved with USC’s lighting program for critiques and guest lectures. Lately, through IALD, I have enjoyed being on the membership committee, bringing my perspective to reviewing portfolios from across the globe, and also being part of IALD’s DEI task force to bring recommendations to the Board.”

Asked for his advice to newcomers to the lighting community, Archit recalled a comment made during his first job after architecture school: 'We’re looking for someone who, figuratively and literally, if they see a pencil lying on the floor, will pick it up –although it’s not their job.’

The lesson I took from that comment is that anything that I can help on or have an idea on, whether it’s my job or not, I will help. Be aware of what’s going on around you, participate in the organization – give yourself completely to what you’re doing.

With two children, one soon graduating college while the other will start next year, Archit and his wife have made and carried out a plan to see one or two new countries each year since the early 2010s – kids included, although that started to change last year. With their shared interest in architecture, they bookmark buildings they want to see, and map them out for each trip. Together they’ve managed to visit Japan, Korea, Denmark, Sweden, UK, Chile, Mexico, Czech Republic, Austria, and this year, Turkey awaits. More success by good design.