Women in Lighting: Uniquely Equipped to Shine

Women in Lighting: Uniquely Equipped to Shine

As in many career fields, gender matters less and less these days. There are women and men operating successfully in fields once associated with more men than women or vice versa. The Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals (AOLP) is fortunate to have many female members who bring their knowledge, passion and well-rounded perspectives to the table and to their clients’ projects.

We asked four AOLP members representing different segments of the lighting industry the same six questions about their personal journey into the industry and how, if at all, being a woman has enhanced or impacted their work, their relationships and their success.

Michelle Mueller, Manufacturer for Garden Light LED

What got you interested in the field of lighting?

I got interested in this field 21 years ago when meeting my life partner. Reto was installing landscape lighting after losing everything. In a three-year period, he designed and installed more than 2,000 landscape lighting systems here in the Tampa/Clearwater, Florida area. With his success for this unexploited concept, the passion for helping others learn about lighting and the business model surfaced. I was in sales most of my life, and at the time we met I was in advertising sales. He asked me if I’d like to come work with him, and I said yes. We decided to take his grassroots approach and seek individuals with whom we could share the idea of owning their own landscape lighting design and installation business, and teach them what we discovered. I was hooked!

What unique perspectives and skill set do you think women bring to the lighting industry?

I believe, regardless of gender, lighting design is a form of art and is about serving others. Lighting scares away the darkness; it is scientifically proven to positively enhance lives and experiences, enrich environments and architectural features. With every good lighting design, the outcome is tangible and offers dramatic results. The unique perspective lighting designers have is the knowledge and understanding of what needs to be lit and what does not, and how to use light and equipment properly. As lighting designers, the more we practice using light and garner experience, the greater our ability to create beautiful environments that better our skill sets.

Can you give an example of a project you worked on where you felt your eye or vision from a female point of view brought value that otherwise may have been missed?

On residential lighting design projects, I really appreciate the opportunity to work with both the husband and wife or couples. As a woman and mother of four, I have perspective on running a household and I am sensitive to what stands out as important to both—whether it be value, design, landscape, statues, cost or timing. As a lighting designer, the key ingredient is to listen and take interest in each one’s perspective and then apply our knowledge to guarantee the lighting design and fixture section will deliver more than expected. When doing so, everyone is happy with the results.

Are women readily accepted in the lighting industry, in your opinion?

I believe lighting designers and landscape lighting contractors are represented by both male and female perspectives. As a woman, I encourage each and every one to learn all aspects of lighting design and installation, regardless of gender. You cannot design or sell a lighting system without having the understanding of how it goes into the ground and how the technology works.

Regardless of gender, lighting design begins by walking the site with the client to understand how they utilize the space, what equipment will be selected to achieve desired goals, proper power distribution (how to make it work for decades), fixture placement, making the gas-tight wire connections and focusing and aiming fixtures properly. Honing this knowledge overtime will further anyone’s opportunities to be successful.

Are clients often surprised that you’re a woman? Do you ever feel you have to work harder or smarter to gain their respect?

The big question is … Is the individual hired for the job capable and do they have the ability to deliver the best outcome? I do not believe clients are surprised when meeting me that I am a woman; in fact, in the past, most interior designers were women, and today that is not the case. We are experiencing more men entering the commonly known field where women hold rank. What matters is experience and talent.

What’s one way AOLP can better support women in the lighting industry?

Go to the places and find the people one is seeking to attract. Continue education and community across the board. I believe recruiting more individuals to the lighting industry is necessary, especially women. As my friend Janet Lennox Moyer says, “It gets dark every day.” Lighting makes the world a better place, and we need to share ideas of how using light to transform outdoor living spaces improves life. Owning a lighting design and installation business is affordable and doesn’t take a whole lot to get started, which is attractive to any entrepreneur. AOLP is the ONLY professional association for the landscape lighting industry, and I believe with that authority and experience, this group represents the best opportunity to educate and demonstrate mentorship among colleagues that will benefit anyone entering the lighting field or wanting more experience.

Magda Colodetti, Designer for EOS Outdoor Lighting

What got you interested in the field of lighting?

From the time I was studying architecture, lighting literally caught my eyes. In fact, my final project in the field of industrial design was designing a lighting fixture. When I realized that the light was responsible for what we see, that only correct lighting could show the right colors and has the power to make you feel good or bad, I fell in love. I have not stopped researching and learning every day since.

What unique perspectives and skill set do you think women bring to the lighting industry?

I do not think that we have different skills. Everyone is unique, and someone can bring better results than others, but I do not believe it is related to gender.

Are women readily accepted in the lighting industry and on what do you base your answer?

Yes, I never had a problem explaining my vision as a lighting designer.

Are clients often surprised that you’re a woman? Do you ever feel you have to work harder or smarter to gain their respect?

Usually, customers looking for outdoor lighting expect to have a man because they do not realize that before quoting for the installation, you need to create a lighting design. Customers for interior lighting on the other hand understand the need for lighting design. I don’t feel like I have to work harder to gain respect because I present myself as an architect who has knowledge in lighting and landscape architecture. Clients can feel safe that I know what I am talking about; after all, I have more than 20 years working in this field.

What’s one way AOLP can better support women in the lighting industry?

Devote more space for women’s works on the AOLP website and write articles about essential projects done by a woman.

Jessie Gray, Contractor for Enlightened Designs

What got you interested in the field of lighting?

I was raised in the field of landscape lighting. My father, Fred Lansing, started our lighting business in the mid-’90s. Making sure we understood the value of a dollar, my brother and I spent breaks from school helping install and maintain landscape lighting systems. After college, I spent many years in corporate marketing. I re-entered the business in 2010 after my husband, Joe Gray, went to work with my father in 2007.

What unique perspectives and skill set do you think women bring to the lighting industry?

I don’t think the unique skill set pertains to women but the landscape lighting industry as a whole. To be successful in lighting, you need to not only be business-minded, but artistic, communicable and driven.

Are women readily accepted in the lighting industry and on what do you base your answer?

For me, this is a two-part answer. Within our business, even though they do not see my face in the field, I have a great rapport with our customers. I am typically their first point of contact and introduction to our company. Secondly, the landscape lighting industry is a small network of contractors who do this exclusively. I attended my first conference when AOLP was still LVLIA, so I have watched it grow from its infancy. I think they do a great job of valuing all their members.

Are clients often surprised that you’re a woman? Do you ever feel you have to work harder or smarter to gain their respect?

Never—I think a strong work ethic, confidence and good communication skills will far surpass any gender classification.

What’s one way AOLP can better support women in the lighting industry?

I think AOLP provides a great learning platform for anyone to get involved in the industry. Horticulture and its subsidiaries are just notoriously male-dominated industries, but that does not mean you cannot be successful in them. With AOLP, my opinion is always welcomed and valued. I think this shows the inclusiveness of all of its members.

About: AOLP

The Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals is an international organization representing the interests of lighting professionals. The mission of the organization is to establish standards, educate industry professionals and increase awareness of the outdoor lighting industry. For more information, visit www.aolponline.org.