Up Close with Robert White

By Shirley Coyle

As a teenaged rock fan, Robert White loved the light shows that were such a key part of the Detroit concerts he got to see, especially the band Yes, whose light shows were legendary. In high school, Robert made paintings of the bands, featuring the lighting effects that he recognized as being so important, but he had no idea there was such a thing as the lighting design profession.

While attending Detroit’s Center for Creative Studies for fine arts, Robert learned about the lighting design business from an inspiring lighting instructor, Renée Green, who was then working as a lighting designer. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in hand, Robert moved from college into the lighting design world, joining Illuminating Concepts.

For most of the next decade, Robert learned the ropes of designing lighting for retail clients. He recalls a meeting with Kmart, excitedly bringing them newer concepts for parking lot lighting, citing the changing approaches of then up-andcoming Target. However, the client was resistant to change, not wanting to evolve, a lesson that he hasn’t forgotten. He stills sees the importance of continuing evolution in the profession and the practice. By the time he finished with Illuminating Concepts, their practice had evolved into exciting work with Nike and Warner Brothers, designing flagship stores in New York City and abroad, in London.

In 2005, Robert combined forces with the renowned lighting designer Stefan Graf at Illuminart. In 2016, Illuminart became the lighting design division within Peter Basso Associates, a large, established engineering firm. While still very involved in design, the majority of Robert’s time is invested in mentoring and developing others – both within his firm and in the wider lighting community through the IES. He reflects on being much more “me” focused in his early career, but he has since found great satisfaction in mentorship and development.

One of Robert’s big concerns for the lighting community is what he refers to as “the Amazon effect.” That is, with so many lighting products available online, at competitive prices, some clients who are not educated in lighting may not see the value of bringing a lighting designer in on the project and instead think, “I’ll just do this myself.” Robert reflects that it’s a reminder that all of us, even well-established lighting design firms, always need to be thinking about educating clients and others in the design community (especially those who are new) on the importance of lighting and professional lighting design in realizing their projects’ full potential.

When asked what advice he would offer to new people coming into the lighting community, Robert stressed the importance of reaching out to be a part of the larger community, since the principals within one’s own firm are typically very busy. He suggests talking with peers, which can help form ideas and develop the questions you don’t yet know to ask. Also, continue to pursue education and be open to design: “Lighting is magical - it can be a magical. It's this great combination – hardcore science is in lighting, but it also has an artistic aspect.” The final important piece of advice he offers is to have respect for the various people that contribute to the lighting design universe – the reps, the manufacturers. “Everyone is trying to do their best, with minor exceptions. Understanding that we are all people, we need to have a human, rather than a hierarchical, approach.”

A lifelong lover of music, Robert is a drummer, as well as playing bass and acoustic guitar. The most fun thing he loves to do? He regularly jams with a couple of other musicians who are architects in Detroit – totally improvisational.

Wrapping up the conversation, Robert exclaimed, “Lighting is awesome…we influence and improve people’s lives when it’s done correctly...like good architecture, lighting is so important!” ■