Your Interview Chiaki Reeder Murazumi

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

My name is Chiaki Reeder Murazumi. I am a lighting designer and the founder of the lighting design studio "spangle," based in Japan.

I studied interior design in college. After taking classes in spatial design and product design, I created a lighting fixture for my graduation work. Around the same time, I first learned about "lighting designer," which was not known much in Japan yet, in an interior design magazine, and I think that led me to get into this field. Once I learned it, I became interested in lighting design, which was essential for architecture and interior spaces, more and more.

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 mainly design lighting for hotels, salons, spas, residences, etc.

Also, I often get involved in kindergarten and nursing home projects.

I like proposing lighting to the places where people relax, and I think I'm good at it.

What project are you most proud of and why?

I'm not sure if it's alright to count it as a project, but it was a great pleasure to publish a book titled "The Magic of Light: How Lighting Can Change Your Life."

In this book, I introduce the lighting tips to enjoy light in your life in 52 lessons, which you can start right away. I hope it helps the readers broaden their images of interesting and comfortable lifestyles with lighting. I put all the messages I wanted to convey in the book.

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

I gave birth to a child in the 18th year of my career as a lighting designer. I worked independently as a freelancer, and my family was supportive. Still, it was hard because the society's understanding and the government system was not sufficient. When I left with my child at the nursery, I was once said, "Are you still going to keep working?" I continued my work, slowing down and adjusting the pace of it, but I would have been able to work more smoothly without slowing down if the social and administrative supports had been better.

How does light inspire you?

Light is like time.

It shifts and changes moment by moment as time goes by.

It's just beautiful, touching, and miraculous. Sometimes scary as well.

To feel light is to feel time.

What is your message for other Women In Lighting?

Lighting design work requires a very emotional sensitivity.

To make everyone happy, let's value our sensitivities more and express ourselves!

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Interviewed by Lyshus; Translated by Akane H