Your Interview Agata Izabela Tyburska

Introduce yourself (name, company, position, country) and tell us how you got into lighting design (including education/qualifications).

Hello! My name is Agata, I am a lighting designer at Light360 based in London, United Kingdom. I studied BSc Product Design at London South Bank University where my passion for lighting started.

I decided on a Product Design degree as I wasn’t sure which direction I want to go with my career, and I wanted to explore different options through the various assignments throughout the course. A lighting project really caught my interest during my second year, and I loved every second of working on my product while experimenting with shadows and effects. I decided to explore lighting further, I came across a seminar about the circadian rhythm and artificial light which really opened my eyes to the importance of lighting and how it can be stimulated. This led me into an internship at a lighting design consultancy where my interest in lighting kept growing.

Once I returned to university for my final year, I based my dissertation and final project on how artificial lighting affects our circadian rhythm which assured me that this an area I want to keep working with and be able to influence the way lighting operates in different environments.

Tell us about your work – is there a specific type of project you like to work on or an area you specialise in and why?

I worked on many different projects since joining the lighting industry and I enjoyed working on every single one of them. Some came with their own challenges, but every project so far taught me something new and helped me develop as a designer. I accept all projects as a new adventure regardless of the type, the variety is what keeps the work fun!

When taking on a new project, the main thing I focus on is creating a quality scheme which highlights the beauty of the architecture and brings out key characteristics of the design. I like to make sure that each project is treated in its own way using both, visually appealing and functional lighting.

What project are you most proud of and why?

The project I am most proud of is Athens Capital Center Hotel - MGallery in Greece. Though the project came with many difficulties which needed quick-thinking solutions, it was an amazing experience to collaborate with the design team and tackle the issues together. In 2021, the hotel was awarded a LIT Award in Hotel and Restaurant Lighting which was a great achievement.

What is the biggest challenge that you have overcome in your career?

One of the challenges I had to overcome is being a tattooed designer in the industry, though it is less of an issue in the recent years. I faced situations where being heavily tattooed means not being taken as a professional, regards of having years of experience in the industry and many successful projects. This, however, did not discourage me as my tattoos represent who I am through creativity which our industry is based on. I learned to accept who I am and gained the confidence which portrays in my decision making in the work environment as well as personal life.

How does light inspire you?

What inspires me about light is that it can be influenced in so many ways and trigger different emotions. The same brief can be given to a few designers, and each will light the space in their own way creating a different atmosphere and mood. The fact that the lighting can be invisible yet have an impact on a space or object is spectacular. This is where the attention to lighting details and reducing glare becomes so significant, quality lighting should never be the first thing noticed when walking into a space. The lighting should give the feeling of comfort and calmness, while the eye should naturally travel to the feature of the space which is enhanced by the lighting.

What is your message for other Women In Lighting?

Never forget what started your journey in lighting and don’t let anyone silence your passion. Share your thoughts and use your voice as much as possible, it is your strongest tool.