Lighting Design in Practice: Services We Offer and When to Use Them
Our Approach to Architectural Lighting Design
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering what a lighting designer actually does (beyond selecting pretty fixtures or dimming lights for mood) you’re not alone. We get that question a lot. So, we thought it might be helpful to break down the actual services we offer here at Light + Form Studio, and when each one might be the right fit.
Whether you're an architect working through early SD sets, an interior designer knee-deep in FF&E, or a homeowner just trying to figure out how to avoid 47 recessed cans in the ceiling, there’s likely something here for you.
Integrated (Full-Service) Lighting Design
Best for: Custom residential, boutique hospitality, and commercial projects where lighting is integrated early and intentionally.
This is our most comprehensive service — our bread and butter. Ideally, we’re brought in at the same time as the architect and interior designer and stay involved through the full project lifecycle. That means from early schematic design all the way through construction, punch walks, and the final aiming of that adjustable spot highlighting your favorite piece of art.
We start by understanding the bones of the project—geometry, codes, daylight, electrical load, budget. Then we build from there:
Lighting layouts
Fixture selections and specs
Control strategies
Photometrics
Coordination with the design and build team
Job site visits and construction support
This approach works best when lighting isn’t treated as an afterthought but as a true design layer—supporting form, function, mood, and well-being. It’s a lot of work. But also, it’s where the magic happens.
Architectural Lighting Study
Best for: Smaller-scale projects that need expert input without a full-service scope.
Sometimes you don’t need the whole thing. Maybe you're designing a 1,500 sq ft restaurant interior or a highly detailed living space with layered materials and sightlines, but you just need help solving the lighting side of it. That’s where this streamlined study comes in.
We start with a conversation—learning about your goals, spatial layout, materials, and budget. Then we develop:
A clean, thoughtful lighting layout
A curated fixture list, ready for ordering
A photometric check-in to be sure we’re meeting performance needs
Coordination with your drawings
A QA/QC pass to make sure everything's tidy and buildable
This is a one-and-done package that keeps things clear and on track, without a long-term contract. If you’re an interior designer, architect, or design/build firm looking for expertise on a single space or phase, this is your move.
Documentation Review
Best for: Teams with a lighting plan in place who want a second set of expert eyes.
Already have a reflected ceiling plan? Great. This is our collaborative, constructive review package. We go through your lighting documents like a copy editor with a red pen (except way nicer), and provide feedback that strengthens your design without blowing it up.
We’ll provide:
Written notes and markups
Photometric feedback
Code compliance checks
Suggestions for fixture improvements or alternative layouts
Controls recommendations that are intuitive (and not overly complex)
Think of it like a lighting peer review—smart, efficient, and collaborative. Especially helpful if lighting is a small slice of your scope but you still want to deliver something that works and looks beautiful.
A la Carte Services
Best for: Projects that don’t fit the mold—or just need a specific piece of the puzzle.
Need help selecting decorative pendants for a restaurant bar? Have a landscape designer who wants lighting input for an outdoor courtyard? Looking for LEED support on a documentation set? We can tailor our involvement to exactly what you need.
Some of the common à la carte services we offer:
Renovation + Fit-Out Lighting: Especially when existing conditions add complexity.
Landscape Lighting Consultation: We team up with your landscape designer to make pathways feel inviting and trees come to life at night.
Decorative Lighting Specification: We don’t lead with decorative, but we love helping you find that one perfect chandelier.
LEED Lighting Credit Review: We know the paperwork. Let us handle it.
Revit Coordination: Available on a project-by-project basis.
Hourly Consulting: Great for site visits, fixture submittal reviews, or a control strategy brainstorm session.
Primary Bedroom lighting scheme - part of a Integrated Lighting Design Package | Norway, ME
At the end of the day, lighting isn’t just about how a space looks—it’s about how it feels. And whether we’re working on a full-service custom home or simply helping clean up a ceiling plan, we approach every project with the same intention: to make lighting clearer, better, and more human.
Curious which service might be right for you? Get in touch and we’ll help you figure it out.
We’re here to help! Light + Form Studio offers services tailored to your specific project, to help you create a well-designed, visually appealing, functional space.
-G
Light + Form Studio is a woman-owned, boutique lighting design and consulting studio serving the architects and designers of Greater Portland, Maine and beyond.
