How To Become An Effective Lighting Designer

How to Become an
Effective Lighting
Designer
10 things you need to understand to
succeed in this passionate career
Nelca Roco, UAP, LEED AP
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This e-book is the fourth book of Nelca Roco about lighting design. The first is about
Retail Lighting Design Techniques, the second is the Golf Course Lighting Design
Techniques, and the third is the Landscape Lighting Design Techniques. You may buy
these books at Amazon.com or at www.nrocolightingdesign.com/shop. You will also
find all of her amazing lighting design techniques on this website.
How to Become an Effective Lighting Designer
Copyright © 2021 by Nelca Roco.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner
whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied
in critical articles or reviews.
This book is a compilation of tips and tricks about lighting design. Sample projects
mentioned here are designed by the author herself. Some images used are from
Google search, which may subject to copyright. We would like to thank them by
activating a hyperlink to their website.
For information contact:
Nelca Roco
+63 949 8225000
nelca_roco@yahoo.com
nelca.roco@nrocolightingdesign.com
http://www.nrocolightingdesign.com
Book and Cover design by Nelca Roco
ASIN: B091PDN5TL
First Edition: May 31, 2021
B091PDN5TL
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Scan this QR code to access my e-books at Amazon.
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This book is dedicated to all lighting designers worldwide,
especially to all my friends, followers, and colleagues on Facebook and
LinkedIn, and subscribers on YouTube.
Keep the passion in your heart!
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Table of Contents
Introduction ...................................................................... 1
Chapter One: Appreciate Light ........................................ 3
Chapter Two: Study the Standards ................................ 11
Chapter Three: Learn the Software ................................ 27
Chapter Four: Study the Basic Electrical Engineering .. 57
Chapter Five: Study the Basic Architecture................... 66
Chapter Six: Study the Basic Psychology ...................... 75
Chapter Seven: Study the Basic Physics ........................ 86
Chapter Eight: Study Sustainability ............................... 90
Chapter Nine: Learn How to Collaborate ...................... 94
Chapter Ten: Learn How to Explain Your Design ........ 98
Chapter Eleven: Today’s Lighting Designer, The Future
Career ....................................................................................... 101
Conclusion ................................................................... 107
Further Reading ........................................................... 108
About the Author ......................................................... 110
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Introduction
Congratulations on purchasing this 4th e-book of mine. I
am sure that you will enjoy reading this book as much as I enjoy
writing it. If you haven’t downloaded the first three books, you
may check these at Amazon.com, or you can grab them on my
website at www.nrocolightingdesign.com/shop.
This fourth book is all about being an effective lighting
designer. You might be thinking of the word “effective” because
you can become a lighting designer anytime you like in today's
technology. By just watching Youtube videos and learning the
software, you can become a lighting designer. But we all know
that this is not enough. How to become THE lighting designer
takes a little deeper than that.
Therefore, this book will give you some recommendation
on becoming the lighting designer that every client, employer,
and society needs.
This book will discuss the ten things you need to
understand to succeed in this passionate career. These are:
1. Appreciating the Light
2. Studying the Standards
3. Learning the Software
4. Studying Basic Electrical Engineering
5. Studying Basic Architecture
6. Studying Basic Psychology
7. Studying Basic Physics
8. Studying Sustainability
9. Learning How to Collaborate
10. Learning How to Explain Your Design
These ten things I mentioned here are based on my ten

years of lighting design experience as a lighting designer in
Dubai. I may add unnecessary humor in this book, but I will tell
you, sometimes being a lighting designer is really fun! You may
send me an e-mail if you think I missed something or if I am just
talking bullshit to nelca_roco@yahoo.com.
The intention of this book is to guide you to become an
effective lighting designer as an employee in a humorous way
and to prepare you to become a freelancer and build your own
company or sell yourself as an expert in lighting design in the
future. If you want that.
Again, this guidance will be based on what is happening
in my career and business right now. As I have mentioned, I was
an employee for ten years in a well-known lighting brand in
Dubai, and today I work as a freelancer, and I established my
own business based on the skills I learned as a lighting designer
for ten years.
After you read this book, start planning your career and
take actions on what I am going to suggest.
Have fun and enjoy reading!
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Nelca Roco / How to Become an Effective Lighting Designer
Chapter One: Appreciate Light
“Maybe you have to know the darkness before you can

appreciate the light.” – Madeline L’Engle
“Find beauty not only in the thing itself but in the pattern
of the shadows, the light and dark which that thing provides.” -
Junichiro Tanizaki
Nothing can beat a person (in terms of lighting design)

who knows how to appreciate and imagine light both in artificial
and natural or daylight. Knowing this will give you the edge to
succeed in your lighting design career.
Lighting design is all about having fun playing with light.
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If you know how to appreciate the light, how it works,

what is the effect, how to play with it, then you are guaranteed to
become an effective lighting designer.
If you don’t appreciate it yet, try the following activities
to improve it.
1. Look at your surroundings
2. Criticize the existing luminaire
3. Feel the effects of light on your emotion
Look at Your Surroundings

This activity might sound a little crazy, but this will focus
your eyes on how the light touches the surface. Look for both
light and shadow—the interplay of dark and light, they say. See
how the light affects the room or area. Imagine how you will
improve it or see what is wrong with it, or what is good about it.
Try sitting under the tree in the mid-day. See the streaks
of light on the leaves and observe the shadow it produced on the
ground. Use your imagination. Be like a kid.
Next is, play with the flashlight. Focus it on the painting
on your wall or any unique object in your room. See how the
light creates when you focus and highlight the thing.
And last but not least, a little expensive and impossible
though, visit the Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi, experience the
rain of light in the whole building. Take a photo of yourself,
absorbing all the ray of lights from it. I have done it. I look
crazy, but it feels good! Check my blog about it. Please don’t
laugh at me. Lighting designers are crazy.
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Tadao Ando is one of the famous architects who love to

play with natural light in all his design. He captures daylight as
part of the structure. I adore him as an architect.
See the images below in one of Tadao Ando's light in
architecture. Look how he dramatically use the daylight on the
wall with the shadow casting from one of the structural beams.
Watch this video and see what you will get from it. This
video is “a short film of light & shadow” of Tadao Andō.
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Criticize the Existing Luminaire

Another way to appreciate light is by touching the
luminaire or the source of light. But please do not just touch the
light without thinking. I got burned my finger when I touched the
neon light. I thought its an LED tube! I also touched a floodlight
with a sodium lamp, and it's fucking hot!
Here’s what you will do. If you are sitting in a restaurant,
office, or at your home right now, try looking at the light fittings.
How is the luminaire mounted? Is it on the ceiling, on
the wall? At the floor? Is it hanging or suspended? Is it surface
mounted on the wall? Is it recessed? Or is it on the track light?
How did the luminaire look? Is it round? Square?
Rectangle? Irregular shape? Does it have cover? Accessories?
Reflector? What are the materials used? Glass? Metal? Plastic?
Every time we have a product presentation in the office,
we are required to touch and feel and open the luminaire. Maybe
that is the reason why I get used to checking the fittings
wherever I go. It becomes a habit.
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You may also want to figure out which lamp they use. Is
it LED, metal halide, compact fluorescent lamp, sodium lamp or
fluorescent tube?
Can you identify the color of the light? Is it a bluish,
warm color? Yellow color or just white? Do you think they used
color filter or just the RGBW LED lamp?
Then, look at the effect. Is it spotlighting or washing?
Does it cover the whole area or just focus on one object? Is it too
bright or too dim? Do you feel the glare? Can you move freely
and work appropriately with these lights in the room or area?
After these thorough observations, try touching the

luminaire. Hold it. Rotate it (Again, check if it’s hot!) Weigh it
using your hands (if it is suspended). Knock on it. Check it if
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it’s really metal or plastic. Wait! Be careful in knocking as well.

I almost broke one light fitting in one gallery. A very expensive
designers’ choice luminaire.
Now, do you think there are much better light fittings
available than what you see right now? Definitely, yes. And that
is your next project. Find these better luminaires and use it in
your design.
If you are a newbie, you don’t care about these (for now)
because your focus (I’m sure) is to design and use the software.
That is Ok. I have been there. I learned the IP Rating,
CRI, and CCT when I am working in the office for eight months!
You can’t blame me, I am an architect by profession. I'm not an
avid fan of technical terms.
Feel the Effects of Light on Your Emotion

Have you noticed your feelings when you are inside the
five-star hotel bedroom? How about inside the gangsta party
club? How about inside the church or mosque or temple? How
about in the office, or in the mall?
Try identifying the feelings inside these places. I hope
you have been to these places. My suggestions will be worthless
if you have never been in any of these.
Do you recognize the feeling of relaxation if you have
dim, warm light like in the spa or bedroom? Or, do you feel the
excitement and liveliness when you are at the club or concert hall
with dancing color changing light? Or do you feel the serenity
and calmness if you are inside the temple with daylight coming
from the ceiling void or tinted glass? Or do you feel afraid if you
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are in the hospital with bright light or inside the prison with
limited IK20 rated dim 3000K color temperature light?
Yes, it’s hard to imagine the prison, but you have seen it
in the movie.
But, how about when you enter the clothing shop and you
get attracted to buy because the dress looks so fabulous and when
you get home it looks rubbish? Definitely, light can fool you.
But it can also show the true color and fabric if you use the right
luminaire. The light will also give you the best advantage.
Light subconsciously affect our emotion. Most of the
time, you will notice the object but not the light that makes it
visible to appreciate.
Light is hidden from everything. That is why it is so
powerful that few will notice.
Artists like the filmmaker, stage director, and lighting

designer are the few people who recognize light as a powerful
tool. They are the one who knows how to play it.
We use it to convey emotion.
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The image on the previous page shows how they use light
in filmmaking to communicate emotion.
Have you noticed which feeling they used the blue light?
You may wonder about the directions of light. Where is
it coming from? From the front, back, left, right, top, or bottom?
Try sitting in the front yard during sunrise, sunset, and
midnight. Feel the light and check your emotion.
Chapter Summary/Key Takeaways

To make sure that you will never forget this chapter, see
the bullet points below for the summary.
Improve your knowledge in lighting design by
appreciating the light using these techniques:
 Look at your surroundings. Play with the light and

shadow. Don’t forget to use the flashlight.
 Criticize luminaire. Touch it! Imagine it’s a glowing

object that will revolutionize your life.
 Feel the light. Check your emotions. Or check

somebody’s emotion under the light.
Now you learned how to appreciate the light. Keep using

these techniques until you understand it from the heart.
In the next chapter, we will discuss the lighting design
standards. Don’t worry, you don’t need to memorize it.
See you in the next chapter.
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Chapter Two: Study the Standards
“Without standards, there can be no improvement.” -

Taiichi Ohno
“Standards are always out of date. That’s what makes them
standards.” - Alan Bennett
By learning the lighting design standards, you will know

what is good and what is not, based on the previous experience.
You will also find what is acceptable by the majority.
Different organizations around the world write many
lighting standards. I know what you want to ask. Which one
you should follow and read. It’s easy, check which one influence
your area the most. The US or Europe? Or ask the client which
standards they want you to use.
The UAE, where I worked as a lighting designer for more

than ten years, has been influenced by British and European
standards that’s why they are using the same. While in the
Philippines, we are using American standards in terms of
applications but not in the units of measurements. We love to
use mm instead of inches. Fraction is so damn scary!
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Yes. There are so many books. But you don’t need to

memorize it or even read it! (I will tell you the secret in the next
chapter). In the meantime, try studying these standards by doing
the following list below. Do not rely on my secret, it may not be
applicable to you.
1. Read books
2. Read lighting design guide or manuals
3. Read lighting handbooks and magazines
4. Attend seminars
5. Join blogs and forums
6. Follow famous lighting designers
That’s too many! Do you really need to do all these? Yes.

So, let's discuss this one by one to keep you calm.
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Read Books
Yes, the first one is to read books. These are the books
published or written by lighting designers. These lighting
designers are the people who experienced lighting design first
hand. That’s why their experience is valuable to read. One of my
favorite books is “Lighting Design Basics” by Karlen and Benya.
You have no idea how much I collected books about
lighting design just to make sure I will be the best in my work.
Below is the list of my top ten lighting design books:
1. Lighting Design Basics 3rd Edition
2. Lit Environment 1st Edition
3. Lighting Modern Buildings
4. The Architecture Of Light 2nd Edition
5. The Landscape Lighting Book 3rd Edition
6. Time-Saver Standards for Architectural Lighting 1st

Edition
7. Fundamentals of Lighting [Paperback] [2008] 1 Ed.

Susan M. Winchip
8. The Design of Lighting Peter Tregenza, David Loe
9. Architectural Lighting Design: A Practical Guide

2019
10. Architectural Lighting: Designing With Light And

Space 1st Edition
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If you love the books I have loved, you will absolutely

fall in love with my written books. Of course, this is now my
chance to advertise them. Here are the books that will improve
your lighting design skills and knowledge more.
1. Landscape Lighting Design Techniques: Master the

landscape lighting design using Dialux evo and
Photoshop
2. Retail Lighting Design Techniques: Master Retail

Shops Lighting Design Using Dialux evo Software
3. Facade Lighting Design Techniques: Master Facade

Lighting Design Calculation and Presentation using
Dialux evo and Photoshop
4. Golf Course Lighting Design Techniques: Master

Golf Course Lighting Design Using Dialux Software
5. Warehouse Lighting Design Techniques: Master the

indoor and outdoor lighting design for warehouses in
30 days using Dialux evo software
6. Sports Hall Lighting Design Techniques: Master

Sports Lighting Design Calculation using Dialux
7. Supermarket Lighting Design Techniques: Master

Supermarket Lighting Design using Dialux evo
8. Road Lighting Design Techniques: Master the

standard and learn the tips and tricks on how to do the
road lighting design calculations using Dialux
Have you noticed the word “master” in every book?
Because you will be, once you read and practice the hands-on
tutorials linked in these books.
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My books will focus on different applications based on

theory. It also used both European and American lighting design
standards. It will also cover the tips and trick on how to do the
lighting design. And the most fantastic part is the hands-on
tutorials where you can apply your knowledge and skills by
watching the step by step guide in using software like Dialux,
Dialux evo, Photoshop, and AutoCAD.
I also love showing off my amazing designs to inspire the
students and readers, so go and grab my e-books now to find out
if it is true or not.
Alright, enough now for the book promotion. Let us
proceed with the next step.
Oh! By the way, I have mentioned previously how I
collected a lot of books when I start working as a lighting
designer. Below are the pictures of the books I bought and the
message to myself. See? I told you, I love talking to myself.
Insert pictures here.
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Read Lighting Design Manual

These books are published by lighting organizations like
CIBSE and IESNA. My favorite books are the collections of
Lighting Guide from CIBSE.
Below is the list of lighting design guide or manual you
should have on your bookshelf:
1. SLL Lighting Handbook (2018)
2. LG04: Sports lighting (2006)
3. LG06: The exterior environment (2016)
4. LG07: Offices (2015)
5. LG12: Emergency lighting (2015)
6. IES Lighting Handbook 10th Edition
7. ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2019 -- Energy

Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential
Buildings
8. Advanced Lighting Guidelines (2003)
9. CIBSE SLL Code for Lighting
10. ILP - The Outdoor Lighting Guide
Check on my YoutTube channel where I book-read some

of these standards. Just don’t bother with my accent and reading
skills. Also, I posted some book critique in my blogs about
lighting design books available in the market. You will find out
if I am fascinated with the book, or I got bored reading it.
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With these free online videos and write-ups and you still
feeling lazy to read or understand these lighting design standards,
why not enrol in my Udemy online class to explain these books
and add some hands-on tutorial on how you will do it in the
software. You will definitely become more confident in working
on your designs.
Below are some of my online courses in Udemy about

lighting designs standards:
1. Retail Shop Lighting Design Techniques
2. Façade Lighting Design Techniques
3. Road Lighting Design Techniques
4. Football Lighting Design Techniques
5. Golf Course Lighting Design Techniques
6. Warehouse Lighting Design Techniques
7. Landscape Lighting Design Techniques
8. Supermarket Lighting Design Techniques
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9. Emergency Lighting Design Techniques
10. Office Lighting Design Techniques
Read Lighting Handbooks and Magazines

Another technique for studying and understanding the
lighting design standards is by reading lighting handbooks and
magazines.
These are published by lighting manufacturers. Of
course, one of my favorite is the lighting design handbook of
Zumtobel Group. It has complete information about light and
lighting applications. I am not promoting them. It is just they
have this amazing resource that you need to acquire. Download
this free manual and start reading it little by little.
Hint: If you want to pass the Lighting Designers Exam,
read it!
Below is the list of other handbooks and magazine that I
love reading. No. Not really, I don’t read them all. I just
glance at them, especially on the pictures, and if something is
interesting, then I read it.
Just click on the text to download the PDF copy. Have
fun collecting these PDF copies and reading the issuu magazine!
1. Zumtobel The Lighting Handbook
2. Handbook of Lighting Design – ERCO
3. Thorn Lighting Handbooks
4. Basics of Light and Lighting - Philips
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5. Illumination Fundamentals
6. Lighting Design Guide – EATON/ Cooper
7. Licht.de – collect all these! These are so valuable!
8. Application Guide - Bega
9. Designing Lighting (dl) Magazine
10. Lux Review Magazine
11. Architectural Lighting (LA) Magazines
12. Professional Lighting Design Magazine (PLDM)
13. Luminous Magazine
14. (arc) Lighting in Architecture Magazine
There are other helpful PDF files available online that

you may want to read. Most of these PDFs are application or
project topic.
If, for example, if I have a project on hospitality lighting,
I check these brochures and find the luminaires they are
promoting and read the tips and tricks and use it in my design.
Here are my best collections of brochures per project or
lighting application topic.
1. The Licht.de publications
2. The Zumtobel Group Brochure
3. The Erco complete publication and brochures
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This Licht series of published PDFs are high in content

and rich in lighting project images. I would like to suggest
reading it all during your free time. I also put some videos on
Youtube regarding these files. Check the video playlist here!
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Ok. You may now be overwhelmed with these resources

I gave you. Do not force yourself to read it all at once. Open the
links, glance at them, and recheck it later if you think you need
them. Hahaha! I can imagine you now. You either excited to see
it all or you get bored and wanting to throw this book now.
Don’t be. “Patience is a virtue”. Viktorija Makauskaite,
one of my students in Façade Lighting Design course, noticed
that I always say it in my online Udemy hands-on tutorials.
Attend Seminars
Attending seminars will allow you to know the latest
trends in lighting. A little costly, but you may find some
seminars about lighting that are free. The best example is the
seminars conducted by the lighting manufacturers in various
exhibits. You might get a free lunch also, so don’t be lazy to
attend these activities.
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Below is the list of seminars (both online and face to

face) I always attend:
1. Light Middle East Exhibit
2. WiBSE or CIBSE for Women
3. CIBSE Webinars
4. SLL Webinars
5. Lightfair
You can check the schedule of their exhibits and seminars
on their website.
I will not put any links here. You already have lots of
open tabs on your computer or tablet right now.
And because of the Covid-19 pandemic, I am sure you
prefer to attend online for safety and convenience purposes. So,
grab your coffee now and check the available webinars today.
Don't forget to do a screenshot and post it to your social media,
so your friends and boss will see you sharpening your saw.
Join Blogs and Forums

Similar to seminars, joining blogs and forums will update
you about what is happening both in the professions, current
technology, and software upgrade.
I love joining blogs and forums during my early stage in
the lighting design career. I am so active that I keep on posting
and asking questions. But of course, I used a different account
name. Just look at the person who keeps on asking even a silly
question, that’s me.
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Below is the list of blogs and forums I always check and

follow. Sometimes these come as a newsletter in my e-mail.
1. Dialux User Community
2. Dialux Newsletter
3. Dialux Users Group in LinkedIn
4. Dialux User Group in Facebook
5. Feedspot
6. Lux Review by Alan Tulla Blogs
7. Qoura
8. Signify
9. NRoco Lighting Design Blog
10. Engr. Michael Santiago Blog
If you are a newbie in lighting design, I would like to

suggest joining groups both on LinkedIn and Facebook.
You can ask any questions of all members regarding the
lighting design practice or on how to use the software.
Just a reminder: be friendly and ask nicely. Some
member will answer your questions immediately. Some may
take a while, and some are really an obvious question, and you
should not ask this and just search it online on your own.
You can also post your lovely designs and ask for
comments and suggestions. Just don’t get mad if somebody say..
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Follow Famous Lighting Designers

Yeah, sounds scary to follow them, but don’t be. They
will be very happy to see you. It increased their ego.
You can do this by following them on their social media
accounts like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and
Instagram. If they have websites, much better! Subscribe to the
e-mail list and you will never know, you may also receive some
gifts or simple tutorials.
I don’t have favorites, but I have many that I follow. I’m
a great stalker you know? I prefer to follow them on LinkedIn
and the website than on any other social media. LinkedIn is
more formal and focuses on the profession. I don’t have the time
to read and see their pets and what they drank last night.
Just a hint: Do not follow the lighting magazines editor.
They don’t have the actual experience in lighting design practice.
If you are a newbie, follow the lighting designers who
keep showing and sharing their lighting designs.
If you are a senior lighting designer, follow the big
brands and see how the company produce new technology.
If you want to build your own lighting design business in
the future, follow the lighting design consultancy company.
Chapter Summary/Key Takeaways

Learning the lighting standards is really tedious and time-
consuming, and as promised, I told you that you don’t need to
memorize or read it because it is inside the software already. All
you need to do is select the type of application or type of room to
run the lighting design calculations.
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Watch this video on how to do it.

Unfortunately, if you do that and you don’t go deeper
than just using the software, you will be just like every regular
lighting designer who doesn’t have any advantage. So, to keep
you above the rest, learn the standards by heart using the
following techniques:
 Read books. Have at least one favorite.
 Read lighting design manuals. Master at least one

subject.
 Read lighting handbooks and magazines. Collect it and

skim on it during your free time.
 Attend seminars. Do it at least once a year. Free lunch is

always nice.
 Join blogs and forums. Keep updated and become active

by just commenting or liking.
 Follow famous lighting designers. Choose at least me for

inspiration. Yes, you read it right.
Now you learned the lighting design standards. I hope

that you will give time to these items at least 30 minutes a day
before you dig yourself into social media or Netflix binge-
watching.
If you are lazy to read, watch my videos about lighting
design standards in this link or enrol in my lighting design
courses at www.udemy.com.
Yeah, be lazy, and I’ll get more money!
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In the next chapter, you will learn the software to become

an effective lighting designer. You must learn at least one of the
basic softwares that I will mention there.
If you have techno-phobia, don’t be scared, those
software are easy to use. Its just like you are using Facebok and
Instagram.
See you in the next chapter.
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Chapter Three: Learn the Software
“I do not fear computers. I fear lack of them.” - Isaac Asimov
You cannot defend your design if you cannot run it in

lighting design software to verify. Computer skills is “a must”
now in lighting design.
I understand that you are afraid to try to learn another
software, but you need to do it to prove that your design is
feasible and viable, that you follow the standards, and that you
selected the most efficient luminaire.
It is a proven document that your design is correct.
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You need to learn at least one of these softwares in each

category. These are:
A. Lighting Design Software
1. Dialux 4
2. Dialux evo
3. Relux
4. AGI32
5. Lighting Reality
B. Drawing Software
a. AutoCAD
b. Revit
c. Solid Works
d. ArchiCAD
C. Image Editing Software

a. Adobe Photoshop
b. Corel Paintshop Pro
c. Inkscape
D. 3D Modelling Software
a. Sketchup
b. 3Ds Max
c. P-con Planner
E. Microsoft Basic Software

a. Word
b. Excel
c. Powerpoint
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When I say that you need to learn at least one in each

category, this means that, it is a must for you to learn it to really
achieve on becoming an effective lighting designer.
I put a red box on each category as my suggestion for you
to start with. These are the software I used when I am starting as
a lighting designer, and until now, I still use them. I find all of
them to be very easy to use compared to other software.
Also, most of my video tutorials posted on Youtube and
in my online courses in Udemy use these softwares. So, it is
better for you to have these because now you have the free
guides and tutorials online.
You can select your own software, whichever you are
comfortable with. But, I will focus on the selected software
because I am not familiar with the other software. What I will do
with these unfamiliar softwares is I will just suggest where you
will get it and the general idea from the online forum.
To know more about the lighting design software
comparison, read this article “All About Software: AGi32,
Visual, LightStanza, DIALux and LightARchitect” from
Designing Lighting by Randy Reid published on February 2021.
Lighting Design Software

Dialux 4
This is the original version of Dialux, which, in my
opinion, is the easiest lighting design software to use.
This is the first software I used in my lighting design
career. Unfortunately, it lacks an artistic approach because every
render I did is too rigid. Not ideal for architectural lighting.
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For now, I still use this software to do the emergency and

sports lighting design calculations because Dialux evo is still not
working on these applications.
Below is the image of a retail shop where I used Dialux 4.
The best thing about Dialux software is it is free and very

easy to use for beginners. To download it, you may visit their
website https://www.dialux.com/en-GB/download. Please be
aware that this software will become obsolete soon due to the next
generation of Dialux.
If you still want to learn more about how to use this
software, check this link for the video tutorials on YouTube.
Dialux evo
This is the evolution of the Dialux 4. The upgrade is based
on the flexibility of lighting design towards a better architecture
lighting design presentation.
For me, the best feature of this software is running a
lighting design calculation both indoor and outdoor in one file.
30
The image below is one of my famous mosque project in

Oman where I build and design everything using Dialux evo. It
has been featured by Dialux on their newsletter titled “This is it!
This is my software!”
This is the first time that my design has been exposed to
the world!
To download this free software, please visit their website

www.dial.de/download. You may also want to avail the Dialux
evo Pro if you want to export your lighting design into Powerpoint
and Excel file directly.
I really love this software because of the graphics or
images it produces. Not only that it is very easy to use, similar to
the original Dialux, it is also flexible and has different options in
PDF report creation.
Check this link for the video tutorials of this software. You
may also want to check the video tutorials from Dial itself.
I would like to suggest watching these two channels
because Dial channel focuses on software use, while my channel
focuses on lighting design in general.
31
Relux
Another software that is very easy to use and more elegant,
but limited in architectural style – the Relux.
Right now, as a freelancer, I am using this software for my
UK projects. UK clients prefer to have the lighting design report
in Relux, because this software is from them.
If you are dealing with contractors, like my UK clients, use
this software. It is simple and elegant.
Below is the sample image of my project using Relux.
At the time of writing this book, Relux also upgraded its

version. You can see it in their PDF report. They can also allow
REVIT file to be imported inside Relux and use the former as the
base plan.
Similar to Dialux, this is free software except for the tunnel
version. To download it, visit https://relux.com/en/
To watch the video tutorials on how to use this software,
visit their Youtube channel ReluxInformatik.
32
AGI32
In my opinion, this software is a little complicated to use
due to its freestyle ability, especially in the lighting design report
output. This software is very popular in the US because - guess
what? It is from the US!
Unfortunately, this software is not free. That’s why few
lighting designers use it. In our office, we rarely use it for a basic
design. We only use it for outdoor and sports lighting application.
But to be frank, when I used AGI32 for the first time, I
said, this is much better than Dialux! The image is better, and the
option to import the Sketchup file directly is there!
Unfortunately, we only have one software license in the
office that’s why I didn’t get the chance to use it more often.
Below is the sample image of the meeting room I did,
using AGI32. Looks rubbish, right? I am working as a lighting
designer for only six months during that time. See? The first
designs are always ugly, so don’t bother about yours right now.
33
Good news! It has a 30-day free trial of this software, visit

https://lightinganalysts.com/.
So, if you are interested to learn this software, check this
link for the video tutorials on their Youtube channel.
Below is another image of pseudo-colour for outdoor
sports lighting using AGI32 software.
By the way, before I forgot. This is the software I used for

my first ever football lighting design calculations with FIFA
standards requirements.
This project Arab American University Football Field is
located in Palestine, and it has been featured by Thorn Lighting on
their website.
This is the first time that I saw my name on our company
website. It feels fucking good when the company acknowledged
your talent and effort by publishing your name online!
Yeah, you will feel that too when the time comes. But first,
focus on reading this book.
34
Below is the image of this football field using AGI32. My

colleague Ramdas did the initial design, and I did the modification
to lessen the number of luminaires while still achieving the lux
level and overall uniformity requirements.
And this is the actual photo of the football field in use.
35
Lighting Reality
This is the best software for outdoor and street lighting
design calculations.
I never tried using this software, but our company use it
for one specific luminaire. That luminaire is a bollard type fitting
used in road lighting, and we cannot get the right value if we use
Dialux or AGI32.
Lighting Reality is the only software we used if we want
to run the calculation for this fitting.
If your company focuses on outdoor and road lighting, I

would like to suggest using this software. They have strong
credibility in terms of this application.
To get a free trial of this software, check this link. And if
you want to know more about this software, visit their website
www.lightingreality.com.
Lighting Reality also has its own tutorials on YouTube, so
better watch them if you have time.
36
We are now done with the Lighting Design Software, let’s

proceed now with the drawing software.
Drawing softwares are used by architects and engineers to
create plans or drawing to convey their ideas. This drawing is the
usual file that you will receive from the client.
Sometimes, you need to learn all of these software just to
open the file and see what is inside and then import it to any
lighting design software. But sometimes it is so complicated that
you really need to learn it just to make your job easier.
I have few students in my online courses that they are
struggling to do the design because they don’t know how to use
AutoCAD or any drawing software.
This is the same reason why I published another course in
Udemy about “Basic AutoCAD for Lighting Designers.” Where
I got 5-star rating for the first month, because the students said that
the course is very easy to follow and it only focus on lighting
design topic.
Check that one if you want to improve your AutoCAD
skills. Of course, there are free online tutorials on how to use
AutoCAD. You are probably thinking of Youtube, and you are
right, the problem is, that tutorials are broad and doesn’t focus on
lighting design. It is most of the time focus on architecture,
building construction, and 3D modelling.
If you are persistent in getting free online training, check
this AutoCAD Basic Tutorial for Beginners. It has three parts for
17 to 20 minutes each. This tutorial might help you for a start.
Update me if it is useful.
Or this one might be better, the AutoCAD - Complete
tutorial for beginners, which run for a full one hour and forty
minutes.
37
Drawing Software
AutoCAD
AutoCAD is still the most widely used drawing software
until now.
AutoCAD® is computer-aided design (CAD) software
that architects, engineers, and construction professionals rely on
to create precise 2D and 3D drawings.
I learned this software back in college when I am
studying B.S. Architecture. After college, I keep upgrading
myself due to new releases of versions, and I keep learning new
commands and tips & tricks to make me work faster.
I remember, when I am working as an apprentice in one
construction firm, the more noisy your keyboard is, the better
and the faster they think you are in AutoCAD. They don’t know,
I keep pressing the scape tab and space bar. Just kidding!
In my online course, “Basic AutoCAD for Lighting
Designers.” I really teach the tips and tricks on how to use this
software faster, not by pretending that you are fast.
38
To get the 30-days free trial of the latest version of this

software, visit https://www.autodesk.com/products/autocad/free-
trial
For the free video tutorials, I already mentioned them on
the previous page.
Revit
Autodesk Revit is a building information modeling
software for architects, landscape architects, structural engineers,
mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineers, designers, and
contractors.
Use this Revit® BIM (Building Information Modeling)
software to drive efficiency and accuracy across the project
lifecycle, from conceptual design, visualization, and analysis to
fabrication and construction.
I tried using this software because one of the subjects I
teach on the Udemy course Dialux evo for Advanced User is
importing IFC files.
39
IFC file is the accepted file by Dialux evo. This file is

similar to .3ds file exported from Sketchup or any other 3D
modeling softwares. Later on, we will discuss these types of 3D
softwares used by lighting designers.
Revit is the new trend in the construction industry and
engineering due to its versatile and collaborative approach.
Documentation and estimation are also faster and efficient if you
use Revit.
You will be in your highest computer skills if you master
Revit. So, go and check this. It may add to your credentials.
To get a free trial of this software, check this link. And if
you want to know more about this software, visit their website
www.autodesk.com/products/revit
Also, check this link for some of my free video tutorials on
Youtube about How to Import the IFC file to Dialux evo.
Below is the sample image of a complex building of IFC
file imported to Dialux evo. Look how the complicated design of
a building can now be used in Dialux evo software easily.
40
Solid Works
SolidWorks is a solid modeling computer-aided design
and computer-aided engineering computer program published by
Dassault Systèmes, that runs primarily on Microsoft Windows.
I have never tried using this software because of my
confidence in AutoCAD, also, most of the companies I worked
on prefer AutoCAD instead of SolidWorks.
One of my friends in Dubai who works in Chalhoub
prefers using this software. He said it is much easier to use
compare to AutoCAD. I’m not sure if he’s telling the truth
because this software is usually used in mechanical drawing.
If your company uses this, make sure it can be imported
to any lighting design software.
To get the free trial of SolidWorks, visit their website
https://my.solidworks.com/
I found these free tutorials online, “SolidWorks Tutorial

for Beginners”. You may want to check if it is helpful for
practicing purposes.
41
ArchiCAD
Archicad is a software tool for architects working in the
architecture-engineering-construction (AEC) industry for
designing buildings from the conceptual phase all through to the
construction phase.
It is a BIM software developed by GRAPHISOFT,
enabling architects to work in a BIM (Building Information
Modeling/Management) environment. Archicad works on two
platforms: macOS and Windows - with no significant differences
between them.
Similar to SolidWorks, I never tried this software. But
some of the architecture design firms in the Philippines use this.
To buy this software or use the 30-day trial, visit
https://graphisoft.com/sg
ArchiCAD has an official Youtube channel for basic
tutorials. Check it here.
Below is the sample image of this software.
42
We are now done with the drawing software. Let’s

proceed to the photo-editing software or image editing software.
Listen up. I have a great story to tell.
Mr. Venkat, one of my managers in Dubai told me one
day, “Nelca, you have a flare in art.” He said that after he
observed that I am good at Photoshop. During that time, I am
working on one façade lighting project.
He is amazed and might be thinking how can I imagine
that the effect of light will be like that because the images that I
produced looks like it has been rendered in 3D rendering
software or had been photographed in real life.
Another manager, Mr. Vipin, told me to stop using the
photo-editing software. He said, “It is like cheating. It’s not
real. The picture is beautiful, but how do you make sure that this
will happen in reality? We will be in trouble!”
I got two managers. One is pessimistic, and the other one
is optimistic in Photoshop.
Who do you think I like the most?
I will tell you in the next pages. Let’s continue now with
the Image Editing Software topic.
Image Editing Software

Adobe Photoshop
This is my favorite software in terms of editing pictures.
Most of the architecture firm in the Philippines require to
have the basic skills of Photoshop, and since we never had this
subject in college, I self-taught this software using the pirated
43
CDs of Lynda, to be qualified for the job. I hope you know

Lynda. Or I am just too old?
Lynda has been bought by LinkedIn a few years back?
Anyways, I get better at using this software because I
keep on practising. I keep on practising because I got
disqualified in a design job just because I don’t know how to use
this software.
My interviewer told me that I could never be an architect
if I don’t know how to use Photoshop. I said, “Whatt??! I
studied architecture for 4 ½ years, and you are telling me I
cannot become an architect just because of this software??!” Of
course, it’s only in my mind.
I got scared. Maybe he is right. I did not get the job but
he opened my mind into a different perspective. This software
will never break my dreams.
This picture is one of my first façade lighting projects

using Photoshop. The design is good, but we did not get the
order. Our LED linear luminaires are too expensive during that
time. My boss is not happy, but I am happy. I can play the light.
44
Playing and imagining the light is one of the key

ingredients in becoming an effective lighting designer.
I met one lighting designer in Dubai. She’s working in
one of the lighting design consultancy company. I don’t
remember her name, but I remember her grey eyes and blonde
hair.
She said she’s a lighting designer. I asked immediately,
“What software do you use?” She said, “Photoshop.” I follow
up, “and?..” She said, “just Photoshop.”
I said, “How do you know which fitting is applicable to
your design?”. She said, “I let the electrical engineer decide. I
focus on the effect, not on the type of the luminaire.”
I don’t know. You decide if she’s really a lighting
designer or just a graphic designer. Or she’s a lighting designer,
but one absents away to be replaced.
I mentioned this scenario because now we know that
some lighting designers can just use Photoshop to do their job.
I am just thinking, she already has the creative talent,
why didn’t she push to another level to try the technical side and
use another software?
Anyways, good-luck to her.
So, if you want to pursue this career, you can master
Photoshop and do your job, but please excel more. Learn
another software for lighting design.
Photoshop is the best, and I can guarantee you that you
will like it also as I do. To learn the basics and some tips and
tricks on how to use this software, check my Udemy course
Basic Photoshop for Lighting Designers.
45
You will be amazed at how easy it is to use this software

and how fun to manipulate the image to your liking and
imagination.
I also posted video tutorials on Youtube, which you may
want to see first before enrolling.
To download the 7-day free trial of this software, visit
https://www.adobe.com/sea/products/photoshop/free-trial-
download.html
By the way, to answer the question, which two managers
I like the most? The answer is, I like them both.
Yin and Yang and/or dark and light is perfect for life!
Similar to artistic and technical side of lighting design, and to
succeed in this career, you cannot be in just one side.
Corel Paintshop Pro

One of my friends said that it is similar to Photoshop. I
tried using it before, but I get stuck with Photoshop, and my
company requires Photoshop. So I did not bother to pursue it.
46
If it is true that it is almost the same, then you can choose

between the two. Just check which one is available in your
office. Otherwise, you need to ask your company to purchase
one of the two.
Also, check which one has more available free video
tutorials on the internet, so you can practice it without spending a
dime.
To download the 30-day free trial of this software, visit
https://www.paintshoppro.com/en/
Check this link for the video tutorials of this software.
Inkscape
Inkscape is a free and open-source vector graphics editor
used to create vector images, primarily in Scalable Vector
Graphics format. Other formats can be imported and exported.
Just like the Corel Paintshop, I didn’t get the chance to

learn this software. But if this is the software you are already
47
familiar with, and your office has a license available for this
software, then go and learn it by all means.
As long as it can manipulate image and create a lighting
effect, then you are good to go.
To download the free copy of this software, visit
https://inkscape.org/release/inkscape-1.1/
And to watch their video tutorials, check this link.
We are now done with the image-editing software, I

would like to suggest selecting the best software that is best
comfortable to use and mostly available in your office because
some of this software is very expensive.
Let’s proceed now with the 3D Modelling Software. This
is the cool part of the lighting design. Remember my comments
when I first use the Dialux 4 software? “It’s too rigid! It's like
you are lighting up boxes!”
When I discovered that it is possible to import 3D objects
to Dialux, I became addicted to it until all my files are not
working anymore. Either it hang for two hours or I cannot open
it anymore after spending four hours adding object in my design.
I was routinely banging my mouse and keep complaining
about how slow my computer is, until I had enough.
I asked my boss for the fastest and powerful computer
with the bigger screen. I told him I need it to improve my
productivity.
He immediately purchased it. Little did he know that it's
not the computer (although somehow, yes), but it's my way of
collecting the 3ds files.
48
In my Udemy course Dialux evo for Beginners, I told my

students what to do and not to do if they want to use those
amazing objects from either 3D Warehouse Sketchup or any
other websites with free 3D objects.
They must never do what I did before.
Although my boss looked amazed with the designs in my
screen, he is wondering with his British accent, “Nelca, do you
think you really need to put that furniture?”
Let’s talk about that in the next pages.
3D Modelling Software
Sketchup
Do not be afraid of these 3D modelling softwares. We
will just use these to convert 3D model files into .3ds files.
3ds file is the acceptable objects which can be imported
to Dialux and Dialux evo.
49
For AGI32, you can directly import Sketchup file. That’s

how flexible AGI32 is.
Sketchup is famous for architects and other designers
because it is easy and fun to use. Even kids will enjoy using this
software.
I also learned this software by just watching the video
tutorials online. But you don’t need to go deeper on this
software. You only need to learn few commands and that’s it!
I posted few video tutorials in my Youtube channel about
How to import Sketchup to Dialux evo. Check that one as a
start.
Like what I have mentioned, you don’t need to learn this
software if you want to. Just study how to open it, rotate objects,
and export it to 3ds file, and you are done.
We are lighting designers, not 3D designers.
This is not a free software, but you can try the 30-day free
trial. Check it in this link.
Start collecting cool objects now at these sites:
1. 3DWarehouse Sketchup
2. 3D Archive
3. Dialux Workshop
But be careful on the file size of the objects. It must be
less that 1Mb, so it will not hang your computer.
Also, do not forget to check if the file is 3D or 2D. Some
files in 3DWarehouse is a plain 2D but looked 3D. Check this
video for my tutorial about it.
50
About the Author
Nelca Roco is an Official Dialux Trainer
certified by Dial Germany. She worked as a lighting designer for more

than ten years in one of the well-known lighting brands in Dubai, UAE.
She is an architect by profession. She is also a LEED AP certified
professional.
She is passionate about sustainable architecture and lighting. She
loves yoga, coffee, reading, investing, and learning new things. You may
find her in her social media accounts:
Facebook/nelcaroco, Linkedin/NelcaRoco, Twitter/Nelca,
Youtube/NelcaRoco, Slideshare/NelcaRoco, Blogger/NelcaRoco,
www.udemy.com, www.skillshare.com, www.fiverr/nelcaroco.com,
www.nrocolightingdesign.com
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How to Become an

Nelca Roco, UAP, LEED AP

Copyright © 2021 by Nelca Roco.

For information contact:

+63 949 8225000

Book and Cover design by Nelca Roco

First Edition: May 31, 2021

These ten things I mentioned here are based on my ten

Chapter One: Appreciate Light

“Maybe you have to know the darkness before you can

Nothing can beat a person (in terms of lighting design)

If you know how to appreciate the light, how it works,

1. Look at your surroundings

2. Criticize the existing luminaire

3. Feel the effects of light on your emotion

Look at Your Surroundings

Tadao Ando is one of the famous architects who love to

Criticize the Existing Luminaire

After these thorough observations, try touching the

it’s really metal or plastic. Wait! Be careful in knocking as well.

Feel the Effects of Light on Your Emotion

Artists like the filmmaker, stage director, and lighting

Chapter Summary/Key Takeaways

 Look at your surroundings. Play with the light and

 Criticize luminaire. Touch it! Imagine it’s a glowing

 Feel the light. Check your emotions. Or check

Now you learned how to appreciate the light. Keep using

Chapter Two: Study the Standards

“Without standards, there can be no improvement.” -

By learning the lighting design standards, you will know

The UAE, where I worked as a lighting designer for more

Yes. There are so many books. But you don’t need to

2. Read lighting design guide or manuals

3. Read lighting handbooks and magazines

5. Join blogs and forums

6. Follow famous lighting designers

That’s too many! Do you really need to do all these? Yes.

1. Lighting Design Basics 3rd Edition

2. Lit Environment 1st Edition

3. Lighting Modern Buildings

4. The Architecture Of Light 2nd Edition

5. The Landscape Lighting Book 3rd Edition

6. Time-Saver Standards for Architectural Lighting 1st

7. Fundamentals of Lighting [Paperback] [2008] 1 Ed.

8. The Design of Lighting Peter Tregenza, David Loe

9. Architectural Lighting Design: A Practical Guide

10. Architectural Lighting: Designing With Light And

If you love the books I have loved, you will absolutely

1. Landscape Lighting Design Techniques: Master the

2. Retail Lighting Design Techniques: Master Retail

3. Facade Lighting Design Techniques: Master Facade

4. Golf Course Lighting Design Techniques: Master

5. Warehouse Lighting Design Techniques: Master the

6. Sports Hall Lighting Design Techniques: Master

7. Supermarket Lighting Design Techniques: Master

8. Road Lighting Design Techniques: Master the