What is the setting and is there a production design reference I can see?.Is there a story or flow to the production that I need to be aware of?.Are there any reference photos or videos of past shows that I can see and understand the nature of the artist on stage?.You should ask them questions, including: Once you meet your creative team, you need to get information from them to help you with your design. ItвЂ™s best to be consistent with your team and keep all of your files organized. The team could communicate via phone, email or a shared online folder. You should also learn your teamвЂ™s communication preferences. Some of the Janelle MonГЎe team on the Dirty Computer Tour, 2018. Other times, you may have creative control over the entire design. Likewise, some creative teams brainstorm ideas together, while others will provide production elements for you to design around. Some artists like to be involved, while others leave everything to the creative team. You should also find out how involved the artist will be in the design process. Some artists like to communicate with you directly, while others will communicate through management. Likewise, find out if you will have direct or indirect communication with your artist. Reach out to whoever hired you to ask them about the tour team and who will be involved in the creative process. Not every design-process experience is a comfortable one.ДЇor your first design, itвЂ™s very important to get to know the artist and creative team you will be working with. Remember that you are valid in your concerns and that you are not alone. ItвЂ™s important to talk about any issues you are struggling with because the more we talk about it, the more we can feel unified. Feeling like you are unable to show off your unique talents in your design due to budget or venue constraints.Struggling to perfect a вЂњprocess patternвЂќ.Feeling inadequate from not knowing where to begin or what to do.Comparing your design/creative decisions to other designers and putting yourself down.Some common struggles you may experience include: Many lighting designers can struggle with their mental health. Acknowledging mental frustrations is tough, and itвЂ™s sometimes even more difficult to open up about them. Mental health is an extremely important, yet often forgotten step when it comes to lighting design and touring. Understanding these basics will help you when working as a lighting designer and give you the confidence to create an amazing show. Production designer, lighting designer, director and programmer: Lauren Sego

Stage lighting design basics