Podcast
LytePod
Hosted by Lytei · EN
Diving into the honest, creative, challenging, and fun human part of how design really happens - all with a little love for light along the way. Featuring creative minds who walk into their own story - from designers to manufacturers, innovators, and professors - unpack their vision, ideas, accomplishments, and habits that make it happen!
40episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The World's Largest Women-Owned Lighting Design Firm, Built on Empathy & Cluture - Teal Borgden HLB
2d ago00:32:12Summary readyWhat does it take to build a career shaped by deep listening, quiet confidence, and the courage to lead without losing yourself in the process?In this episode of LytePOD, host Sam Koerbel sits down with Teal Brogden, co-leader of HLB Lighting Design, one of the world's most influential architectural lighting design firms, to unpack what it really means to lead with empathy, curiosity, and panache. This isn't a conversation about portfolio highlights or business metrics. It's a candid, deeply human look at the philosophy, instincts, and people-first mindset that transformed a young engineer with a love for storytelling into one of the industry's most respected leaders.Teal reveals why listening with empathy is the foundation of great design, why presence matters more than perfection, and why the best measure of success isn't the rendering or the award—it's the window washer who feels honored to work on a building because it means something to the community. She walks through the art of asking the right questions, the courage it takes to say yes to adventure while staying grounded in technical rigor, and why collaboration isn't just working together—it's creating space for others to shine and trusting that what you give out is what you get back.💡 Key topics explored:• Why deep listening and empathy are the foundation of every great design decision—and how presence shapes outcomes• The importance of letting people try, fail, and learn—and why trust creates better leaders than protection ever could• How storytelling and technical rigor work together—and why confidence without arrogance requires doing the work• The art of reflecting back what you've heard before presenting—and why staying open to pivoting in the moment matters• Why lighting design requires empathy for architecture, people, budgets, and the generations who will experience the space• How to move a client from fixture picker to co-conspirator—and why earning trust over time transforms relationships• The courage it takes to have vulnerable conversations with clients when things aren't working—and why business success matters as much as design excellence• Why cultural context matters—and when swagger is required versus when curiosity opens doors• How early mentors like Paul Moranse and Barbara Horton shaped Teal's philosophy—and why playfulness and mystery create space for collaboration• Why people are the biggest asset of any design firm—and how human connection fuels creativity, problem-solving, and emotional resonance• The window washer story that reminds us why architecture matters—and why the most meaningful validation comes from people experiencing the space• What Teal would tell her 24-year-old self: trust yourself, go for it, you got thisWhether you're a designer wondering how to lead with confidence without arrogance, a young professional trying to figure out what comes next, or anyone curious about what it takes to build a career rooted in empathy, curiosity, and the courage to show up—this conversation offers a rare, honest look at the instincts, values, and human connections that shape a life in design.Listen now to discover why great leadership isn't about having all the answers—it's about listening deeply, trusting yourself, and creating space for others to thrive.❤️ Big appreciation for the partners who support this work and trust the vision. They believe in thoughtful conversations, strong community, and letting designers' voices lead. Grateful to build this together.1️⃣ Mark Lighting - https://watch.lytei.com/mark2️⃣ Kelvix - https://watch.lytei.com/Kelvix3️⃣ LEDflex - https://watch.lytei.com/LEDFLEX4️⃣ Diode LED - https://watch.lytei.com/diode5️⃣ Targetti USA - https://bit.ly/targettiusa
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The Business of Building Culture & Scaling a Design Firm 10x — Carrie Hawley & Teal Brogden, HLB
1w ago00:38:35Summary readyWhat does it take to build a culture that outlives the people who shaped it? In this episode of LytePOD, host Sam Koerbel sits down with Carrie Hawley and Teal Brogden, co-leaders of HLB Lighting Design — one of the world's most influential architectural lighting design firms — to unpack the business of building, scaling, and leading a design firm that's built to last.This is a candid, deeply human conversation about firm culture, shared leadership, mentorship, and what it really means to lead with the intention of putting yourself out of a job. Carrie and Teal walk through the 10-year planning cycles that guide HLB's evolution, the quarterly mentoring rhythms that develop the next generation of lighting leaders, and why growth is intentional but always people-focused.💡 Key topics:How culture is built through daily actions — not slogans — and what that means for hiring, leadership, and strategic planningWhy shared leadership requires vulnerability over control, and meeting in person to facilitate advances (not retreats)HLB's 10-year planning cycles — and why every career stage shapes the firm's futureGrowth plans vs. professional success plans — and why soft skills outweigh technical ones at the senior levelQuarterly mentoring check-ins that replace traditional annual reviewsWhy every micro team inside HLB has its own mission statementRadical candor, crucial conversations, and approaching conflict with curiosityWhy the goal of leadership is to put yourself out of a jobWhether you're a design firm principal, a young designer figuring out where you fit, or a lighting professional thinking about the business of lighting design — this conversation offers a rare, honest look at the intentionality and humility required to build a firm that lasts.🎙️ Listen now to learn why great leadership isn't about control — it's about creating space for others to lead.learn more: https://hlblighting.com/❤️ Big appreciation for the partners who support this work and trust the vision. They believe in thoughtful conversations, strong community, and letting designers' voices lead. Grateful to build this together.1️⃣ Eureka Lighting - https://watch.lytei.com/EurekaRabbitHole2️⃣ Kelvix - https://watch.lytei.com/Kelvix3️⃣ LEDflex - https://watch.lytei.com/LEDFLEX4️⃣ Diode LED - https://watch.lytei.com/diode5️⃣ Targetti USA - https://bit.ly/targettiusaChapters00:00:00 Opening: Does the Company Shape Us or Do We Shape the Company?00:01:37 Sponsor Spotlight00:02:47 Culture of Learning: Growth is Intentional and People-Focused00:04:08 Legacy by Choice: Building Beyond Ourselves00:07:29 Navigating the Hard Stuff: Communication and Conflict00:12:49 Specialists and Expertise: Elevating the Entire Team00:15:00 The North Star: Pursuing Design Excellence Globally00:19:31 Strategic Planning: 10-Year Cycles and Inclusive Voices00:23:16 Sponsor Spotlight: Kelvix, Lead Flex, and Diode LED00:25:33 Empowerment Through Consensus: Not Command and Control00:27:56 Radical Candor and Crucial Conversations00:30:45 Sponsor Spotlight: Tarjeti USA00:31:33 Rhythms of Connection: Mentoring, Growth Plans, and Town Halls00:37:37 Boutique Studios Within a Whole: Strength in Diversity
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Luxury Living: Lighting Industry's Decades-Long Failure & Who's Reshaping + Fixing It - Tom Doherty
2w ago00:38:14Summary readyTom Doherty has spent 40 years in consumer electronics and two decades arguing for one quietly subversive idea: that the lighting industry has spent decades failing homeowners — and the custom integration channel is finally the one fixing it.He's the Director of New Technology Initiatives at HTSA, the international trade consortium of premium residential integrators. He was inducted into the inaugural Lutron Hall of Fame in 2008, built the Indianapolis lighting lab that became a template for the industry, and created Lightapalooza — the conference that turned residential lighting into the fastest-growing category in custom integration.In this episode, Tom makes a case I haven't heard anyone else make: of the roughly 20,000 companies calling themselves integrators today, only about 100 are doing residential lighting well — and that tiny group is on the verge of fundamentally reshaping how lighting reaches the homes of the wealthiest clients in the country.Expect to learn why the lighting industry has failed homeowners for 30 years despite producing better fixtures than ever, why custom integrators got "pulled into" lighting against their will and now dominate the category, what the "shelf of shame" reveals about why most integrators fail even when they want to succeed, why integrators are the only people in residential construction who eliminate value engineering entirely, why Tom turned away 30 manufacturers from the most recent Lightapalooza show floor, and the production-home story from 2012 that convinced Tom every homeowner walking into a builder-grade showroom is being quietly underserved.—Extra Stuff:Connect with Tom Doherty: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-doherty-800529a/HTSA: https://www.htsa.com Lightapalooza: https://www.lightapalooza.com
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AI vs. 200 humans - Better or worse Lighting Design? Controversy? Emad Hasan + Ketryna Fares
3w ago01:14:49Summary readyThe IALD Enlighten America's conference filled up the keynote hall - 200+ lighting designers were on edge, as soon as the conversation was over, we recorded this podcast. Sam Koerbel sits down with Emad and Ketty, two lighting designers navigating the seismic shift that artificial intelligence is bringing to the design world. This isn't a conversation about hype or fear. It's a candid, deeply human look at what it means to build a creative practice in an era where machines can render, automate, and optimize—but still can't feel a space, connect with a client, or know what it's like to walk into a project and watch people experience something you helped create.They reveal why AI is a tool, not a replacement, why critical thinking is at risk if we rely too heavily on automation, and why the best measure of success isn't how fast you can generate a rendering—it's whether you've preserved the human connection, intuition, and emotional intelligence that make great design possible. They walk through the uncomfortable truths: how much of your project fee is actually spent being creative (10 to 15 percent), how AI might push fees down unless designers learn to charge for value instead of time.• Why AI is a tool that amplifies creativity—and why the human experience behind design can never be replaced• How critical thinking is at risk when designers rely too heavily on automation—and what that means for the next generation• The uncomfortable truth: only 10 to 15 percent of project fees are spent on actual creative thinking—the rest is execution• Why AI might push design fees down unless the industry learns to charge for value instead of time• How AI can help designers communicate better, iterate faster, and visualize ideas—but why it can't replace the human connection that drives great projects• The importance of AI policies in design firms—and why only 5 percent of firms have them despite widespread use• Why software companies are using your design data to train AI models—and what that means for intellectual property and control• The risk that AI-native generations will think differently than we do—and why today's designers need to adapt without losing their edge• Why lighting designers need to redefine their value proposition—and why advocacy from the broader design community is critical• The future of design: faster tools, better visualization, and the constant need to preserve human intuition, empathy, and connectionWhether you're a designer wondering how AI will change your workflow, a firm leader trying to figure out what comes next, or anyone curious about what it means to stay human in an increasingly automated world—this conversation offers a rare, honest look at the opportunities, risks, and responsibilities that come with designing in the age of artificial intelligence.Listen now to discover why AI won't replace designers—but designers who use AI will replace those who don't.❤️ Big appreciation for the partners who support this work and trust the vision. They believe in thoughtful conversations, strong community, and letting designers' voices lead. Grateful to build this together.1️⃣ Eureka Lighting - https://watch.lytei.com/EurekaRabbitHole2️⃣ Kelvix - https://watch.lytei.com/Kelvix3️⃣ LEDflex - https://watch.lytei.com/LEDFLEX4️⃣ Diode LED - https://watch.lytei.com/diode5️⃣ Targetti USA - https://bit.ly/targettiusaChapters00:00:00 Opening: Human Experience vs. Machine Intelligence00:01:36 Sponsor Spotlight00:02:43 The AI Energy Crisis: What We're Not Talking About00:03:36 Cautionary Tales: Protecting Design Integrity00:05:38 AI Can't Feel: Why Creativity Remains Human00:06:50 The 15% Problem: Where Design Time Actually Goes00:09:16 Raising the Bar00:14:41 The Thinking Problem:00:26:16 Sponsor Spotlight: Kelvix, LED Flex, Diode LED00:18:00 The Fee Dilemma=00:19:46 The Revit Comparison: Why Efficiency Doesn't Lower Costs00:22:01 Who's Really Driving AI00:44:50 The Data You're Giving Away: Who Owns Your Work?00:32:25 Adoption Readiness: Does Your Firm Have an AI Policy?00:31:03 The Intuition Advantage: What Machines Can't Replicate00:47:57 Mentorship in the AI Age: Help or Hurt?00:50:55 The Communication Breakthrough: AI as Translator00:55:19 Closing Thoughts: Navigating the Storm
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Designing Billionaires' Homes: What Ultra Wealthy Expect | Aspen, CO - Sarah Broughton
Apr 2800:56:36Summary readyWhat happens when you sit down with an architect who's spent decades designing the custom homes of billionaires in one of the world's most demanding environments—and ask her what it really takes to turn a house into a legacy?In this episode of LytePOD, host Sam Koerbel travels to Aspen, Colorado, to sit down with Sarah Broughton, a world-renowned architect and designer whose work has redefined what it means to create spaces where nature, sustainability, and luxury converge. This isn't a conversation about floor plans or finishes—it's a deep dive into the philosophy, process, and people-first thinking that transforms architecture from shelter into something deeply personal, emotionally resonant, and built to last generations.Sarah reveals why design starts with curiosity, not style, why lighting must balance daylight and emotion, and why the best measure of success isn't the rendering—She walks through the art of asking the right questions, the courage it takes to say yes to everything (and no when it matters), and why collaboration isn't just working together—it's understanding business models, challenging specialists, and creating something better than anyone could have imagined alone.💡 Key topics explored:• Why design starts with curiosity and empathy—and how asking the right questions shapes every decision• The importance of understanding daylight first—and how electrical lighting should evoke the same emotional response• Why lighting must be layered, not reliant on recessed cans—and how to integrate architectural lighting early in the design process• The challenge of balancing point source lighting with ambient vertical illumination—and why lamps aren't always the answer• How to design spaces that work for clients today and adapt as their lives evolve—without overbuilding or locking in one configuration• Why mockups matter: from lighting fixtures to skylights that look like skylights at night• How VR technology has become a game changer for anticipating scale, light, and spatial experience before construction begins• The difference between surprising a client and delighting them—and why trust is the foundation of every great project• Why lifelong learning and remaining relevant in mid-career requires humility, growth mindset, and the courage to ask "now what?"Listen now to discover why great architecture isn't about style—it's about understanding people, balancing light, and building something that lasts.❤️ Big appreciation for the partners who support this work and trust the vision. They believe in thoughtful conversations, strong community, and letting designers' voices lead. Grateful to build this together.1️⃣ Eureka Lighting - https://watch.lytei.com/EurekaRabbitHole2️⃣ Kelvix - https://watch.lytei.com/Kelvix3️⃣ LEDflex - https://watch.lytei.com/LEDFLEX4️⃣ Diode LED - https://watch.lytei.com/diode5️⃣ Targetti USA - https://bit.ly/targettiusaChapters00:00:00 Opening: Designing for Delight in Aspen00:02:12 Sponsor Spotlight00:03:35 Welcome Home: When Every Room Is Loved00:06:10 The Real Reason Clients Hire Architects00:08:32 Prototyping Life: Risk, Trust, and the Perfect 1000:13:24 Balancing Light: Natural, Harsh, and Intentional00:14:53 Construction as Art and Collaboration00:15:49 Judgment Over Style: Building for Legacy00:18:45 The Power of Yes: Reframing Every Design Challenge00:22:33 That Was Then, This Is Now: Evolving Spaces and Lives00:24:08 Holistic Design: The Italian Bottega Model00:25:39 Before We Continue: Sponsor Spotlight00:27:49 Collaboration Defined: Open Hearts and Curiosity00:30:00 Lighting Philosophy: From Daylight to Emotion00:37:03 The Lighting System Debate: Switches vs. Automation00:41:50 Understanding Business Models: Working with Lighting Designers00:46:53 Before We Jump Back: Sponsor Spotlight00:47:43 Getting Rid of Recessed Lighting: The Challenge00:44:02 Lifelong Learning: Mid-Career and the Now What Moment00:55:12 Closing: When Do You Feel Most Alive?
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Desinging for VIP's - Rules for Hospitality, Interiors & Lighting - Edith Ponciano
Apr 1401:02:11Summary readyWhat happens when you sit down with an interior designer who's spent years shaping the energy of some of the country's most ambitious sports venues—and ask her how light transforms hospitality into emotion?In this episode of LytePOD, host Sam Koerbel travels to Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego to sit down with Edith Ponciano, an elite interior designer whose work has redefined what it means to experience a sports venue. From Collegiat to NFL and multi-use stadiums nationwide - she talks about how the gameday experience is being redefined. It's a deep dive into the philosophy, process, and creative tension that transforms a stadium from a place to watch a game into a destination where people feel something the moment they walk in. Recorded on location at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, CA, this conversation reveals why lighting isn't just an element of design—it's the emotional foundation that makes hospitality work.Edith reveals why sports venues should feel like hotels, why lighting creates energy, not just illumination, and why the most successful spaces blur the line between architecture, interiors, and atmosphere. This conversation goes deeper. It's about the tension between creating beauty and creating energy, the challenge of selling something people feel but don't see, and why the most rewarding moment isn't the rendering or the approval—it's walking into the space on opening day and watching 35,000 people experience something you helped create. Edith shares why she loves working on sports venues despite not being a sports fan, why collaboration matters more than ownership, and why lighting designers need stronger advocacy from the design community if the profession is going to grow.💡 Key topics explored:• Why sports venues should feel like hospitality spaces—and how that mindset reshapes design decisions• How lighting creates energy versus experience—and why that distinction matters in different spaces• The three-tier budget structure for sports venues—and how lighting gets allocated across public, club, and premium spaces• Why decorative lighting often takes priority over architectural lighting—and when that needs to change• How to collaborate with lighting consultants early enough to influence the design—not just execute it• Why renderings lock expectations—and how to build flexibility into the visualization process• The challenge of selling lighting as a luxury when it's not a statement piece—and why it's 25 to 50 percent of what makes a space work• How to navigate value engineering without destroying the design intent• Why integrated architectural lighting details matter more than product selection—and how to fight for them• The importance of bringing lighting designers into the process during schematic design—not after documentation starts• Why lighting designers need stronger advocacy from interior designers, architects, and the broader design community• What makes opening day the most rewarding moment—and why validation comes from people experiencing the space, not approving the renderingWhether you're a designer wondering how to collaborate more effectively with lighting consultants, a lighting professional trying to understand how interior designers think, or anyone curious about what it takes to create spaces that make people feel something without knowing why—this conversation offers a rare, honest look at the intersection of hospitality, sports, and the emotional power of light.Listen now to discover why lighting isn't just part of the design—it's the energy that makes everything else work.❤️ Big appreciation for the partners who support this work and trust the vision. They believe in thoughtful conversations, strong community, and letting designers' voices lead. Grateful to build this together.1️⃣ Eureka Lighting - https://watch.lytei.com/EurekaRabbitHole2️⃣ Kelvix - https://watch.lytei.com/Kelvix3️⃣ LEDflex - https://watch.lytei.com/LEDFLEX4️⃣ Diode LED - https://watch.lytei.com/diode5️⃣ Targetti USA - https://bit.ly/targettiusaChapters00:00:00 Opening: Sports Venues as Hospitality00:02:03 Sponsor Spotlight00:03:12 Welcome to Snapdragon Stadium: Culture Meets Design00:04:36 Blurring the Lines: Indoor-Outdoor Stadium Experience00:09:23 The Role of Lighting in Creating Energy vs. Experience00:10:31 Architectural vs. Decorative Lighting: Finding the Balance00:19:51 Budget Breakdowns and the Value of Lighting00:26:45 Working with Lighting Consultants: Collaboration from Day One00:36:53 Before We Continue: Sponsor Spotlight00:48:25 The Chair Swap: Lighting Designer Answers Designer Questions01:00:26 Looking Ahead: Tennessee Titans Stadium and the Future
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AI Specialist in Lighting Design, Save 90% of your time, Fast Renderings, Agent dev - Faraz Izhar
Mar 3100:45:07Summary readyWhat happens when you sit down with a lighting designer who's saving 90% of his time using AI—and ask him to show you exactly how he does it?In this episode of LytePOD, host Sam Koerbel travels to Dubai to sit down with Faraz Izhar, a lighting designer who has transformed his entire workflow using artificial intelligence—not as a replacement for creativity, but as a power tool that amplifies it. This isn't a conversation about theory or hype. It's a candid, deeply practical look at how AI is being used right now to create cinematic presentations, automate boring tasks, and unlock creative possibilities that simply weren't feasible six months ago.Faraz reveals why prompting is the new soft skill of the design era, why AI agents are already handling luminaire schedules and technical documentation, and why the best measure of success isn't the rendering—it's how fast you can iterate, explore, and communicate your vision to clients in ways that make them feel the project before it's built. He walks through the entire process: how he uses Midjourney to create custom mood images tied directly to project narratives, how Kling and Google Veo transform static renders into cinematic sequences that show transitions from dusk to night, and how Suno generates soundtracks that elevate presentations into immersive experiences.But this conversation goes deeper. It's about the tension between automation and intuition, the risk of cultural homogenization, and why the human element must remain at the forefront—even as machines learn faster than we ever imagined. Faraz shares why guardrails matter more than speed, why AI hallucinates and how to catch it, and why the industry needs to embrace this technology now—not because it's perfect, but because the designers who don't will be left behind.💡 Key topics explored:• How AI reduced concept development time from one week to three hours—and what that means for creative exploration• The tools that matter: Midjourney for images, Kling for video sequences, Suno for soundtracks, and custom AI agents for technical documentation• Why prompting is a soft skill—and how poetic, metaphorical language unlocks better results than technical jargon• How to build custom AI agents that automate luminaire schedules, extract data from manufacturer PDFs, and format everything in seconds• The importance of guardrails: defining what AI cannot do before you start—and why cultural context matters• How AI understands lighting nuances: color temperature, beam spread, grazing techniques—and where it still struggles• The difference between generative AI and AI agents—and why both are essential to modern workflows• Why trust must be earned: manual checks, proofreading, and the human sniff test that keeps AI outputs honest• The risk of bias, hallucination, and copyright infringement—and how to stay ethical while using powerful tools• What AI can't do yet: integrate into Revit and Dialux for automated photometric calculations—but why that's coming soon• Why the human element must remain: intuition, sensitivity, and the ability to know when AI has gone off track• The future of lighting design: faster iterations, cinematic storytelling, and a profession that embraces technology without losing its soulWhether you're a designer wondering how to get started with AI, a firm leader trying to understand what's possible, or anyone curious about how technology is reshaping creative work—this conversation offers a rare, honest look at what's working, what's not, and why now is the time to embrace the tools that will define the next decade of design.Download the cheat sheet: ❤️ Big appreciation for the partners who support this work and trust the vision. They believe in thoughtful conversations, strong community, and letting designers' voices lead. Grateful to build this together.1️⃣ Eureka Lighting - https://watch.lytei.com/EurekaRabbitHole2️⃣ Kelvix - https://watch.lytei.com/Kelvix3️⃣ LEDflex - https://watch.lytei.com/LEDFLEX4️⃣ Diode LED - https://watch.lytei.com/diode5️⃣ Targetti USA - https://bit.ly/targettiusa
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Worlds Biggest Lighting Design Firm: Building Dubai, People are Purpose, Start with Why - Paul Nulty
Mar 1700:51:18Summary readyWhat happens when you sit down with someone who's built one of the world's most successful lighting design practices—and ask him what it really takes to turn creativity into a sustainable business without losing the soul of the work?In this episode of LytePOD, host Sam Koerbel sits down with Paul Miles, founder of a global lighting design practice spanning nine studios across four continents, to unpack the philosophy, pressure, and people-first thinking that transformed a passion for connecting people in space into a thriving international firm. This isn't a conversation about business strategy or portfolio highlights. It's a candid, deeply human look at what it means to build something meaningful in a creative industry—why empathy is the foundation of every great design, why clients get the projects they deserve, and why the hardest part of running a design practice isn't the work itself, it's balancing the desire to obsess over every detail with the reality that fees are tight, timelines are brutal, and you still have to keep the lights on.Paul reveals why design starts with people, not products, why interrogating the brief matters more than jumping straight into fixtures, and why the best lighting design often means keeping it simple—even when your instinct is to over-design. He walks through the uncomfortable truth that designers are often undervaluing their experience, the challenge of selling creativity in a world that wants everything quantified, and why sometimes you just have to give the client 450 lux because that's what they need. But he also shares the joy that keeps him coming back: that moment when you walk onto a project, turn off all the lights, and slowly bring each circuit to life—breathing soul into a space and watching people respond without even knowing why.💡 Key topics explored:• Why empathy is the foundation of great design—and how understanding people shapes every decision• The importance of interrogating the client's brief and asking why before jumping into what or how• How to balance creative obsession with commercial reality—and why that tension never goes away• Why designers massively undervalue their experience—and the challenge of pricing decades of knowledge into a two-day project• The myth that lighting design has to be complicated—and why simplicity is often the right answer• How to push back on unrealistic briefs and disconnected scopes—and why it takes courage to do it• The reality of building a global practice: empowering teams, stepping back as a founder, and watching others shine• Why clients get the projects they deserve—and what separates award-winning work from checkbox design• The danger of designing by numbers—and why the industry needs to remember that lighting is about feeling, not just metrics• How AI is starting to challenge creativity in ways that are both exciting and terrifying• Why the lighting industry needs better representation, professionalization, and evangelism—and what's holding it back• The privilege of working at the crossroads of creativity, technology, sociology, psychology, and ecology❤️ Big appreciation for the partners who support this work and trust the vision. They believe in thoughtful conversations, strong community, and letting designers' voices lead. Grateful to build this together.1️⃣ Gotham Lighting - https://watch.lytei.com/gotham2️⃣ Kelvix - https://watch.lytei.com/Kelvix3️⃣ LEDflex - https://watch.lytei.com/LEDFLEX4️⃣ Diode LED - https://watch.lytei.com/diode5️⃣ Targetti USA - https://bit.ly/targettiusaChapters00:00:00 Opening: Design Is About People00:01:22 Sponsor Spotlight00:02:58 The Why Behind Every Design00:08:33 The Business vs. The Craft: Balancing Creativity and Commerce00:12:44 Selling the Toolbox: How to Value Design Experience00:14:09 The Industry's Education Problem00:15:22 Knock Knock: Making Lighting Design Essential00:16:09 The Middle East Market: Opportunity and Pressure00:32:09 Clients Get the Projects They Deserve00:29:45 Before We Continue: Sponsor Spotlight00:35:27 The AI Test: When Technology Challenges Creativity00:36:32 What Challenges Design Most Right Now00:39:54 The External Pressures: Sustainability, Neurodiversity, and Design by Numbers00:39:03 Sponsor Spotlight: Tarjeti USA00:44:17 Keep Playing With Light00:48:13 People Are the Purpose00:50:22 Closing Thoughts: Professionalizing the Industry
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40 years as CEO: Evolving Design Firm Ownership - Chip Israel + Kelly Jones
Mar 300:39:47Summary readyIn this episode of LytePOD, host Sam Koerbel sits down with Chip Israel and Kelly Jones, co-CEOs of Lighting Design Alliance (LDA), to unpack the philosophy, process, and people-first culture that transformed a small firm into one of the industry's most respected design teams—and what happened when they recently merged with a larger technology-focused company to unlock the next chapter of growth.This isn't a conversation about business strategy or growth metrics. It's a candid, deeply human look at what it means to build something together, trust your gut when the path isn't clear, and create opportunities for the next generation—even when that means relinquishing control of the very thing you spent decades building. Chip and Kelly reveal why culture isn't a slogan, it's how you work every day, why showing up matters more than having all the answers, and why the best measure of success isn't the rendering or the award—it's seeing your team grow into leaders themselves.💡 Key topics explored:• Why culture is built through daily actions, not slogans—and how trust and respect create the foundation for everything else• The importance of surrounding yourself with great talent and giving them the freedom to run with opportunities• How to let go of control as a designer and leader—and why trusting your people is the hardest and most essential lesson• What it really means to show up for your team and clients, even when it's inconvenient• Why the marketplace is changing—and how firms need to adapt to design-build, turnkey projects, and new ownership models• The role of mentorship in shaping the next generation of designers—and why giving junior team members client exposure is critical• How Epic Universe became a once-in-a-lifetime project that elevated the bar for themed entertainment lighting worldwide• Why partnerships in business require hard conversations, mutual respect, and complementary skill sets• The decision to merge with a larger firm—what drove it, what it means for the team, and why purpose and culture alignment mattered more than the deal itself• Why enjoying the journey and taking advantage of every opportunity matters more than having a perfect roadmapWhether you're a designer wondering how to build a sustainable practice, a young professional trying to figure out what comes next, or anyone curious about what it takes to grow something meaningful in a creative industry—this conversation offers a rare, honest look at partnership, growth, and the courage it takes to trust the journey even when you can't see where it's going.Listen now to hear what two decades of collaboration, trust, and shared passion reveal about building a lighting design firm that puts people first—and why showing up and enjoying the ride might be the best advice anyone can give.❤️ Big appreciation for the partners who support this work and trust the vision. They believe in thoughtful conversations, strong community, and letting designers' voices lead. Grateful to build this together.1️⃣ Gotham Lighting - https://watch.lytei.com/gotham2️⃣ Kelvix - https://watch.lytei.com/Kelvix3️⃣ LEDflex - https://watch.lytei.com/LEDFLEX4️⃣ Diode LED - https://watch.lytei.com/diode5️⃣ Targetti USA - https://bit.ly/targettiusaChapters00:00:00 Intro: Lessons Learned and Trusting Your Gut00:01:18 Sponsor Spotlight00:02:33 The Merger: A Natural Evolution00:05:34 Building a Culture of Trust and Empowerment00:06:09 The Art of Letting Go: Leadership and Delegation00:07:29 What Drives Great Design Teams00:08:34 Culture Isn't a Slogan: It's How You Work Every Day00:10:00 The Unexpected Merger: How It All Came Together00:12:22 Hard Work, Efficiency, and Surrounding Yourself with Talent00:13:32 No Roadmap Required: Embracing the Non-Linear Journey00:15:19 Complementary Leadership: How Chip and Kelly Work Together00:15:50 Endless Opportunities: The Future of Healthcare and Beyond00:16:38 Taking Risks: From Disney to Career-Defining Moments00:17:22 Risk, Fear, and Making Decisions00:19:11 Dealing with Hard Conversations00:19:44 Future-Proofing the Firm: People, Legacy, and Showing Up00:20:59 Sponsor Spotlight: Kelvix, Leadflex, Diode LED00:24:37 Adapting to a Changing Marketplace00:26:35 The Scale Question: Small Firms vs. Large Firms00:28:46 Giving Back: Education, Mentorship, and Community00:30:07 The People Thing: Learning to Let Go When It's Not a Fit00:31:42 Sponsor Spotlight: Tarjeti USA00:32:33 What Gets Them Pumped: Epic Universe and Beyond00:36:18 The Next Chapter: Hiring Friends and Building the Future00:37:21 Advice to Your Younger Self: Show Up and Enjoy the Journey
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Designing Seven Star Luxury Hotels, Dubai, Singapore, Saudi Arabia - Paul Miles
Feb 2400:39:05Summary readyWhat happens when you sit down with a lighting designer who's spent decades crafting immersive luxury experiences across the Middle East—and ask him what it really takes to turn a journey into an emotion?In this episode of LytePOD, host Sam Koerbel travels to Dubai to sit down with Paul Miles, a veteran lighting designer who has shaped some of the region's most ambitious hospitality projects—from desert resorts where car headlights announce arrivals 15 minutes away, to the monumental facade of Atlantis The Royal, to restaurants where the threshold experience matters as much as the destination itself. This isn't a conversation about fixtures or specifications—it's a deep dive into the philosophy, process, and pressure of designing light that doesn't just illuminate, but immerses.Paul reveals why luxury is different for every client, why the journey matters more than the photo, and why the best lighting design happens when you deliberately don't design around existing products. He walks through the 12-month process of developing a single facade detail, the crude cardboard models built in-office to sell falling leaf effects, and why sometimes you have to convince a client to let you design the back-of-house with the same care as the front lobby—because their staff matters as much as their guests.💡 Key topics explored:• How luxury is defined differently for every client, brand, and geographical context• Why immersive design isn't about spectacle—it's about making people feel comfortable while subconsciously guiding them through space• The critical importance of walking the guest journey before designing a single fixture• How collaboration with architects, interior designers, and landscape designers unlocks 100% success—and why lighting can only achieve 30% alone• Why Paul's team deliberately avoids designing around existing products—and the creative innovation that forces• How crude office models made from foam board and foil help sell complex lighting concepts• Why tight budgets demand double creativity—and why back-of-house design can be just as rewarding as front-of-house luxury• The balance between design perfection and construction reality—and why flexibility is essential in fast-track projects• Why the best measure of success isn't the rendering—it's the expressions on people's faces when the space is lived in❤️ Big appreciation for the partners who support this work and trust the vision. They believe in thoughtful conversations, strong community, and letting designers' voices lead. Grateful to build this together.1️⃣ Gotham Lighting - https://watch.lytei.com/gotham2️⃣ Kelvix - https://watch.lytei.com/Kelvix3️⃣ LEDflex - https://watch.lytei.com/LEDFLEX4️⃣ Diode LED - https://watch.lytei.com/diode5️⃣ Targetti USA - https://bit.ly/targettiusaChapters00:00:00 Opening: The Power of Collaboration00:02:06 Sponsor Spotlight00:03:27 Welcome to Dubai: Defining Luxury Through Light00:06:50 The Journey: Designing Immersive Guest Experiences00:15:01 Creativity Beyond Budget: Innovation with Constraints00:15:15 The 12-Month Process: Atlantis Royal Facade00:18:10 Sponsor Spotlight: Leadflex, Diode LED, Kelvix00:20:37 Desert Immersion: Challenging Standards for Context00:14:13 Probing the Journey: Research, Site Visits, and Discovery00:29:31 Sponsor Spotlight: Tarjeti USA00:31:02 Flexibility and Reality: Making It Work On Site00:33:22 The Pressure and the Process: Trusting the Design Phases00:35:13 Experiencing the Space: When Design Becomes Feeling00:38:33 Closing Thoughts: The Journey Continues
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