Your Interview Lilly Mutisya

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

In introduction my name is Lilly Mutisya from Kenya. I am a personate, hardworking and artistic Lighting designer and technician with diverse knowledge and experience in the fields of electrical fields, design and project management. With this I am a co-founder and director of Legacy Lights design and installation Ltd. A lighting firm that designs and installs lighting systems for home owners, business enterprises, industrial setups with a particular specialty to outdoor lighting.

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?

As a Lighting designer it’s my professional responsibility to design a lighting system for any project that is functional, effective, efficiently unique to every individual client’s project. I ensure every project needs are met at the least economic sense without compromising on quality and style. In simple terms I take a project, design or redesign its lighting layout details, placement of the hardware accessories, calculate lux requirement of every space individually and hence decide lighting points as per the design. All the while incorporating the enthusiastic and desires of the client that’s unique to every individual and project. Eventually bringing the project to life through Installation of the design. Ultimately my preference is outdoor lighting, it’s through here were you can really experience the beauty of light.

What project are you most proud of and why?

Every project I have undertaken have treated me with proud experiences. If I were to pick one so far in this journey I must mention one that took me out of my comfort zone. An outdoor lighting project for a high voltage electrical yard whereby I had to ensure the entire yard of 200 by 100 m was well lit corner to corner with no dark spots. I did it and I am proud.

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

All challenges are not impossible, but the biggest was the Covid pandemic that literally paralyzed all functionalities in all fields. With the curfews in place people lighting was literally the last thing on people’s minds. That was the biggest challenge that handicapped the entire world.

How does light inspire you?

How can anything that eliminates the dark not be inspiring. Light for me creates confidence, hope, comfort, and when it’s done right it creates an ambience that can be felt in all languages and ages. Light is a form of communication that’s well understood across the universe and it’s one thing that’s sort by all from the time of creation.

What is your message for other Women In Lighting?

In a world that is slowly becoming dark because of human’s selfishness we (WIL)can only be the light the world needs by lighting the path in which we walk on.