Your Interview Luciana Oyarzo Boyadjian

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

My name is Luciana Oyarzo Boyadjian. I am from Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, also known as Patagonia or rather as the end of the world. I am an Interior and Lighting Designer. I work as a designer and renderer in the Project Directorate of Public Works of the Secretariat of Investment, Planning, and Public Services of the Municipality of Río Grande, the city where I have been living since 2019. Since 2020, I have also been working as a professor in lighting, teaching Sustainable Lighting Design in the Annual Architectural Career at the IFOE Argentina Institute. Additionally, I am the creator of Patagonia Studio, where I work as a freelance designer, handling interior and lighting projects, rendering, and corporate branding. My approach as a designer is to capture the regional identity of Patagonia in every project I undertake.

I completed my undergraduate studies in Interior Design at the Universidad Argentina de la Empresa in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After finishing my undergraduate studies, I decided to pursue a Postgraduate Degree in Lighting Design in Barcelona, Spain. There, apart from entering a new and academically fascinating world, I met influential figures in the lighting industry who shaped my professional career. After completing my specialization in Barcelona, I decided to return to Buenos Aires, where I started working at Eco Soluciones, a sustainable lighting company. There, I had the opportunity to enter the professional world as a sustainable lighting consultant, working on projects that left a mark on my profession. In my opinion, it was the place where I learned the most about lighting and sustainability projects. It was there that I became deeply interested in sustainability in interior spaces, which led me to pursue a distance Postgraduate Degree in Energy and Environmental Certifications from the University of Barcelona, Spain. Thanks to this learning experience, I was invited to conduct Masterclasses in Sustainable Lighting Design during the pandemic and later became a professor of Sustainable Lighting Design at the Institute of Show Business Trades, aimed at students and professionals in Latin America.

Five years ago, I moved to Argentine Patagonia, where I started working in an architecture studio as a designer and drafter. Later, I served as a designer and Head of Institutional Events at the Municipality of Río Grande for three years.

Currently, I work as a designer and renderer of public and governmental spaces. I also undertake freelance design projects through Patagonia Studio and I am part of Warp, a Technological and Digital Development Agency, where I work as a rendering and branding designer. Lastly, I serve as the president of Fundación Valores, where, together with a team of volunteers, we carry out environmental campaigns based on the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda.

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, I started by doing lighting for events and stage sets, but over time I realized that what I enjoy the most is illuminating interior spaces. That's why currently I specialize in lighting design for residential homes, commercial spaces, offices, public spaces, and other interior environments.

What project are you most proud of and why?

During my residency in Buenos Aires, Argentina, I had the opportunity to be part of the planning, as an advisor to a National Senator, to carry out the recognition of the Sarmiento Mention to the renowned artist Julio Le Parc, a distinguished figure in optical lighting, as part of his artistic and lumi- nous exhibition "Transition, Buenos Aires - Paris" at the National Museum of Fine Arts.

Additionally, during my time at Eco Soluciones, a sustainable lighting company, I had the chance to work on the lighting design project for the multipurpose hall of the Armenian Embassy in Argentina. In this project, I developed the lighting design based on functionality and aesthetics, incorporating lighting calculations to reduce energy impact within the interior space. Both projects were undoubtedly prestigious undertakings in which I greatly enjoyed and learned a great deal.

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

The greatest challenge in my professional career was, undoubtedly, deciding to move back to the city where I was born, a small city in the interior of the country located at the end of the world. It was a difficult decision because from the beginning, I knew that developing myself as an interior and lighting designer in a small city would not be an easy task. However, I always found it interesting to take on the challenge of providing such a beautiful and necessary profession like lighting design in the city where I was born.

How does light inspire you?

Light inspires me as a professional and lighting designer due to its ability to transform spaces, influence our emotions, and enhance our mood and well-being. Its versatility constantly challenges me to explore new possibilities and seek innovative solutions. Therefore, it keeps me constantly moving and learning new technologies. Lighting is my source of creativity to create extraordinary visual experiences.

What is your message for other Women In Lighting?

The professional field of lighting can be challenging at first, especially in small cities like the one I currently reside in, but it is not impossible to pursue. I encourage women to follow their calling and carve their own path in what they love the most, and although it may be tough, it will always be the best path. Being a lighting designer is a beautiful journey to embark on, and there is definitely no turning back!