Interview with Wesley Burdett from United States

I've always been a designer at heart. Since as far back as I can remember, I've had a natural inclination towards inventing and creating things. When I walk into a space, my mind immediately starts racing with ideas on how to improve it. It's just a natural instinct that I can't seem to shake off.

Within Light Studio is a boutique architectural lighting design consultancy, specializing in international hospitality projects such as hotels, restaurants and bars, and high-end residences. I'm a co-founder and principal of the LA studio. Our team is made up of passionate and driven individuals committed to excellence in everything we do.

Design means diving deep into the details. It's about scrutinizing every single element of a space or object to determine whether they're worth keeping or whether there's a better way to do things. It's not just about creating something aesthetically pleasing; it's about finding a balance between form and function.

My favorite kind of design is collaborative. There's something magical about the way that people from different backgrounds and with different experiences can come together and build upon each other's ideas to create something truly exceptional.

I find that the design process is at its best when it's a collaborative effort, where everyone has a voice and feels free to express their thoughts and opinions. Working in a team setting brings a diversity of perspectives that can lead to unexpected and innovative solutions.

Good design is the product of hard work and dedication, of thoughtful planning and deliberate action. A good designer makes specific choices with intentionality, and every element serves a purpose. It's not just about making something look pretty, it's about creating a functional and practical object or space that meets the needs of the user.

Design is about taking risks, trying new things, and never giving up until we get it right. Nothing is impossible. When others see problems and obstacles, I see possibilities and potential. There is always a way forward, always a way to create something new and beautiful.

At Within Light Studio collaboration is key to our process. We start by diving deep into the meaning of a project, crafting a feeling that will guide us as we develop lighting concepts. We share our ideas with the rest of the design team, refining and building upon them until we have something truly extraordinary.

For us, design is a journey of exploration, of pushing boundaries and never settling for the status quo. We strive to create lighting that not only looks beautiful, but also serves a purpose and elevates the human experience.

As an American designer who started my career in the melting pot of New York City, I've been fortunate enough to be influenced by a diverse range of cultures. The city welcomes people from all over the world and I have been exposed to different ways of thinking through my work and friendships.

At Within Light Studio, my Colombian business partner, Mara Villegas, and I collaborate on projects and our different cultural backgrounds complement each other, allowing us to create unique and innovative designs.

The MUSE Design Awards win is a confirmation that we're on the right track. As seasoned lighting designers, Mara and I have been around the block a few times but starting our own company was a risk. Winning this award tells us that we made the right choice and I'm excited for what's to come.

The work that won us the MUSE Design Awards is the lighting design for the Magnlens U.S. flagship store. It was a rare project where the vision was crystal clear from the start, and the final result matched the original design concept. Our team designed a custom linear lightbox that ran along the ceiling, showcasing different graphics each season.

This box wrapped around the walls to anchor the store's point of sale. We balanced the immersive lightbox with high-powered directional track heads that focused attention on the retail space. The end result was a space that evoked a sense of dynamism and excitement.

The task was simple in theory, but in practice it proved to be the biggest challenge of the project. We needed to find a way to balance the color and brightness of the immersive lightbox without overwhelming the retail space.

It took a lot of experimentation and fine-tuning to get it just right, but the end result was worth it. We used high-powered LED track heads to balance the light from the central light box, allowing it to shine as a strong visual element without detracting from the overall experience of the space.

Winning this award is validation that Within Light Studio is on the right track. Our team is grateful for the visibility this award brings to our practice and the projects we hold dear.

1. Creativity. I’m always inspired by the ideas that others come up with.

2. Collaboration. The design industry involves a multitude of disciplines, and in our projects, we get to work with a wide variety of artists, interior designers, architects, graphic designers, landscape designers, sound designers, and more.

3. The global nature of the industry. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to work on projects in different parts of the world and to have been exposed to diverse cultures and design aesthetics.

Nothing is sacred in the United States, which makes space for innovation and re-invention. Clients are very open to big design swings and new ways of doing things.

The future of lighting design lies in advanced programming and intuitive user controls. Fixtures are becoming more capable than ever, with features such as color-changing to support circadian rhythms, and even retrofit bulbs with integrated speakers. The companies that are truly pushing the envelope are developing increasingly human-centered design.

The key advice for design students entering the lighting industry is to stay observant. Design can be found in all places, and it's essential to take notice of what resonates with you and what doesn't. Once you've identified these elements, you can use them to hone your skills and create designs that stand out.

Design is a language, and as with any language, practice is crucial. Hone your skills in sketching, computer drafting, collecting reference images and making mood boards. Learn how to convey your ideas by any means necessary.

I’ll never tell my secrets.

My parents taught me the value of hard work. Tony Chi taught me that design is in the details. David Singer taught me the importance of process. Ricardo Fernandez taught me how to infuse emotion into everything you do. George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg taught me an idea is only as good as how it's presented.

In this world, it pays to be kind. You never know who might cross your path again, be it as a colleague or a client. The more relationships you can build and foster, the better off you'll be in the long run.