UC San Diego

This thesis examines two key elements that have shaped my journey as a lighting designer at the University of California San Diego: the influence of body movement as a source of creative inspiration and the essential role of active mentorship in fostering effective team collaboration for successful design execution. In my creative process, I draw inspiration from the fluid physical motion of performers, actively exploring how light interacts with their movements. This relationship encompasses blocking, everyday actions, and choreography, inspiring my lighting design's emotional and visual aspects. Additionally, I emphasize the importance of mentorship within a collaborative environment that promotes technical and artistic growth. Trust, communication, and creativity among all team members—the designer, associate, and assistants—are vital for executing a unified design, especially under the pressures of live performance. My thesis highlights the synergy between movement and mentorship by weaving these concepts together. It illustrates how they contribute to the captivating joy of lighting design that resonates emotionally with the designer and the audience.