From Installation to Experience: Why Design Matters

By Patrick Harders, LC

If lighting were only about placing a few path lights in the ground, no one would need lighting designers. But if you’re looking to create something extraordinary, something that evokes feeling, invites connection, and actually tells a story, you’re going to need more than hardware. You’re going to need a professional's vision. That’s where a true lighting designer steps in.

In the video below, I shared a story that I feel perfectly captures what great lighting design is all about. It was an experience during a project where the customer’s wife (an artist herself) stepped in and said, “Let’s just leave Patrick alone, let him do his thing, and write the check at the end.”

That kind of trust comes when a professional moves into the elevated category of designer. It allows for creativity to flourish. And the result wasn’t just a nicely lit landscape. It was something beautiful, personal, and unforgettable.

Passion Fuels Good Projects 

While it's true that production is crucial to staying afloat, I’ve also seen and experienced great things happen when designers stress a little bit less about numbers and start to lean into their creative side. They don’t just get more satisfaction from their work, they grow their business. Why? Because customers recognize and are willing to pay more for something that feels custom and high-end, not cookie-cutter.

As I shared in the video:

“You go from just production to creating something beautiful. People are willing to pay more for the artistic beauty. It really enhances their business, and gives them a renewed passion.”

This is how you go from it being just about making money to being about doing meaningful work.

Investing in Lighting Design Is an Investment in Your Business  

So I'd challenge you, whether you’re a seasoned veteran or just getting started, to ask yourself:

• Are you leaving room for creativity in your work?

• Are you giving your team the tools, and the time, to learn what great design looks like?

• Are you educating your clients on the value of what you bring to the table, beyond just hardware?

At Sterling Lighting, our goal isn’t just to sell luminaires. It’s to help you elevate your craft, grow your business, and leave your mark on the landscape, literally and metaphorically.

When lighting is done right, it’s not just seen. It’s felt.

Want Some Help? 

Whether you’re still building your eye or just need a second set of hands on a complex job, our Diagramming and Rendering Assistance Package is here for you:

• One-on-one design support

• Access to services like professional renderings and drawings

• Expert advice from experienced lighting designers

You don’t have to do it alone. My team and I are here and happy to help, from concept to completion.