Frequently Asked Questions

Why should we hire a lighting designer in general?
Can’t we just use our architect or engineer to do the lighting design?
Why should we hire Visual Terrain as our lighting designer?
At what point in our design & construction process should we contact Visual Terrain?
Why is identifying the lighting goals early on important?
Can your services be coordinated with our architect, show team, interior designer, builder and subcontractors?
Who do you report to?
Which equipment manufacturers do you represent?
Are there any pricing guidelines for your services?
Will I work with Lisa Passamonte Green, or her team?
Is Visual Terrain accepting new clients?
Why does Visual Terrain have a strategic partnership with a Lighting Wholesaler/Distribution Partner?
What makes Visual Terrain unique?

Why should we hire a lighting designer in general?

Our methodology in designing and offering a solution for supplying the lighting system is structured to ensure the Owner gets the results of the design they purchase. We develop the luminaire specifications and performance criteria with careful consideration of the long-term maintenance concerns, operating costs, sustainability issues, power consumption and ease of replacement.

We implement “green” lighting solutions in our design whenever possible, minimizing energy usage, maintenance and the carbon footprint of the lighting over the lifetime of the project.

We will create a manageable system that will allow the lighting to sustain the same look in the years to come as it does when first realized.

At what point in our design & construction process should we contact Visual Terrain?

While we are happy to come in at any point in the project timeline, we prefer to be involved from the very beginning. This way, we can add maximum value in regards to our services and your project’s overall lighting equipment budget. We do this by helping to identify the lighting goals and vision of the project and working with your cost estimators to establish equipment costs and procurement strategies to meet the desired design intent.

Why is identifying the lighting goals early on important?

By defining the lighting goals and establishing budgets early on – we are able to:

  1. foster an understanding of what is possible in the design vs. budget constraints
  2. design to those established budgets throughout every phase
  3. work with manufacturers to bring visibility to the project and identify suitable products and delivery lead times
  4. identify if off-the-shelf products will work or if there is a requirement for custom products and solutions
  5. limit construction cost over-runs and unforeseen schedule surprises

Can your services be coordinated with our architect, show team, interior designer, builder and subcontractors?

Yes. In fact, our goal is for Visual Terrain to be an integral member of your design and construction project team.

To that end, we will collaborate with the project architect and design team to develop the look and feel of your project from a lighting perspective. We also work side-by-side with contractors, builders and installers to coordinate the installation of the lighting elements. This coordination will help ensure they hit major milestones in the construction process, and ensure installation is properly documented and all systems are tested at the appropriate points.

Who do you report to?

We have worked under owners, developers, architects, producers, designers, contractors and show teams.

Which equipment manufacturers do you represent?

We do not represent any specific manufacturers, thereby guaranteeing that the products specified for your project are really chosen to meet design intent, desired performance and that they meet any established budgets.

We are well-known in the industry and, unlike many of our competitors, have relationships directly with a wide variety of manufacturers, which enables us to get past the often confusing agent/distributor/contractor discussions and go straight to the source for product information.

Often, lighting designers who represent certain manufacturers are being paid additional fees – directly by those manufacturers, in addition to the design fees you are paying – to use a given product on your project. We believe this to be a conflict of interest and believe that your money is best spent on choosing a lighting designer who has your project’s best interest at heart, not their own bank account.

We are proud to be a member of the IALD. The International Association of Lighting Designers and adhere to their code of ethics and professional conduct.

Are there any pricing guidelines for your services?

Project fees are quoted based on the requirements of each project and can be arranged on an hourly, flat rate or not-to-exceed basis. We begin every project by assessing your vision for the project and your lighting design needs alongside your budget, and then tailor our services to meet your budget.

Will I work with Lisa Passamonte Green, or her team?

While Lisa remains involved in every project, her role varies from Principal in Charge to Principal Designer. Every project has a Principal Designer and/or project lead working on its day-to-day needs to ensure milestones are met and the design stays on track. Additionally, we believe in backing up that lead person with an entire team of people knowledgeable about the project and its progress from the inception of design to opening day. We also maintain a centralized data management server which means any office can find an answer at a moment’s notice.

Often, Lighting Design firms will have one or two people who know everything about a project and no one else on the staff will know about it. We purposely work as one large team no matter which office, (California, Illinois or France) is leading the effort so we are able to effectively manage our resources, share information and meet each project’s desired schedule. As our projects typically have construction time lines that span from 3 weeks to 3 years, this approach allows us to successfully manage many projects concurrently.

Is Visual Terrain accepting new clients?

We are fully staffed and ready to accept new clients at any time. On average, we spend a few days up to one week speaking with each new client, assessing their project’s lighting design needs and understanding their lighting control and technology consulting needs, after which we prepare a project proposal detailing the services requested and required.

Why does Visual Terrain have a strategic partnership with a Lighting Wholesaler/Distribution Partner?

We have developed a strategic partnership with Mid-West Wholesale Lighting Corp., so the Owner can purchase the fixtures we specify for a fair and competitive price. This eliminates the usual negotiations between lighting representatives in different territories, and reduces the likelihood that the local distributors will try to package the project and supply products that simply do not meet the design intent. It also guarantees the Owner will get the design Visual Terrain created specifically for this project.

We believe that there is value in working with our distribution partner on the Owner’s behalf, to identify cost-saving alternatives whenever possible and frequently aid in identifying better procurement strategies or fixture alternatives with the various lighting manufacturers.

Whether you purchase the project, through Mid-West or not, you are guaranteed to know the real price on the street of the design we have created for your project, no matter where it is located. This is the way we empower you when a project is ready for construction, to get the best lighting for your project that your money can buy, without compromise and without sacrifice. It helps us to hold our specification and it helps you to get the design you paid for.

What makes Visual Terrain unique?

We are passionate about light. Our team is made up of people originally trained in theatrical lighting, architectural lighting, fine artists, interior designers, model makers, color stylists, business administration, and lighting controls specialists.

We understand the value of creativity tempered with reality, communication, proper documentation and money well spent. We also value working hard and having fun, learning about new technologies and responsible design which honors the environment.

As we regularly create lighting designs for architecture, attractions and the arts, we are up on the latest technologies in both the architectural and show lighting design industries.

We are not limited by defined applications of lighting products but rather our relentless pursuit to find the right combination of products to meet the design intent we are developing for each client and their product.

Lastly, we believe in giving back to our industry by mentoring students in our internship program and supporting organizations like the following

  • TEA (Themed Entertainment Association)
  • AIA (American Institute of Architects)
  • IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions
  • IES (Illuminating Engineering Society)
  • IALD (International Association of Lighting Designers)
  • DLF (Designers Lighting Forum) and
  • IDA (International Dark Sky Association)