Lighting and the Design Idea [Paperback]

Linda Essig (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0155020692 | ISBN-13: 978-0155020696 | Publication Date: August 2, 1996 | Edition: 1

Taking a process-oriented approach, this text introduces the steps involved in lighting design in the order they are encountered in practice. From sensitive and creative design choices, to intelligent ways to implement them, the book engages students with real-life examples from academic, not-for-profit, professional, and commercial productions. Because the focus is on the process of design, rather than its technology, the text will not become obsolete as technology changes.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Essig's book is strong by emphasizing design for the play. The book provides a complete knowledge of lighting for the theatre, with strong areas in both design and technology for lighting."

"This book deals a lot with the ideas in the play, and I think that is of fundamental importance in the classroom."

"I adopted this text because Essig approaches lighting design as I do; she is serious about it as an art. Her approach is based on the needs of the work being lit and not on exploiting all the technical possibilities, and she articulates her views very clearly." --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Linda Essig is a professional lighting designer and Chair and Artistic Director of Theatre at Arizona State University. She has designed lighting at theatres throughout the country, including Cleveland Play House, Missouri Repertory Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Utah Shakespearean Festival, Skylight Opera Theatre and many others. For sixteen years, she directed the lighting design program at University of Wisconsin - Madison. In addition to "Lighting and the Design Idea," she is the author of "The Speed of Light: Dialogues on Lighting Design and Technological Change."

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing; 1 edition (August 2, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0155020692
• ISBN-13: 978-0155020696
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #278,519 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Linda Essig was Founding Director of the School of Theatre and Film in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University where she also served as Artistic Director of the school's MainStage Season. She currently directs ASU's arts entrepreneurship program, p.a.v.e., the performing arts venture experience. A professional lighting designer, Essig's design for the ASU production of Suzan-Lori Parks's "Venus" was part of the USA National Exhibit of theatrical design at the Prague Quadrennial in 2007. In addition to her designs for academic theatre, Essig has designed lighting for theatres throughout the country including Cleveland Playhouse, Milwaukee Rep, Missouri Rep, Utah Shakespearean Festival, Skylight Opera, La Mama ETC, Pioneer Theatre, Madison Repertory Theatre and others. She is the author of numerous articles and two books: Lighting and the Design Idea (recently published in an expanded second edition) and The Speed of Light: Dialogues on Lighting Design and Technological Change. Prior to joining the ASU faculty in 2004, Essig taught lighting design at UW-Madison for 16 years, the last two as department chair. At ASU, Essig teaches Fundamental of Arts Entrepreneurship and Orientation to Theatre and Film. She is a member of the boards of directors of the Phoenix Fringe Festival and the United States Institute for Theatre Technology.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Considerable Updating of an Already Excellent Book., November 16, 2004

By 

Sean O'Skea (Ashland, OR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lighting and the Design Idea (Paperback)

Unlike the typical college textbook "new edition" that tweaks pagination and swaps a few figures, but little else, the second edition of Linda Essig's Lighting and the Design Idea, is totally revamped. This edition is a clear improvement on an already concise and comprehensive introductory textbook. All other intro texts lean too far toward mechanics and hardware at the expense of art and design, or are artsy books that leave the reader hunting for practical application. Furthermore, there are a number of lighting books, packed with lovely pictures, which somehow manage to omit both art and craft in their glossy pages. Essig manages to touch on both important sides of this very technical art in a surprisingly small package.

True, Richard Pilbrow's 500-page tome is the definitive book and is on every lighting designer's shelf, but it is very cumbersome for an introduction to stage lighting course. Undergrads will be much less overwhelmed with Essig's book, which is better illustrated (especially the 2nd ed), far more succinct, and the best balance of art, theory, and practice of any available text. Pilbrow's text, though graced with charming, hand-drawn cartoons, is poorly illustrated (and surprisingly outdated) for a book concerning such a visual field. Essig 2nd Ed., does a much better job of getting the figure on the same page as its text reference than the 1st edition. As would be expected, the 2nd edition, delves far more deeply into CAD, automated lighting, and the explosion of new technologies since the 1st edition's 1997 publication.

Yes, the price is steep, especially considering Pilbrow's book has managed to hold its $35 price for several years. On the other hand, it's a bit apples/oranges, since that is the same price for the same book--the 1997 edition rapidly becoming outdated. Don't be surprised to see Stage Lighting Design's next edition have a similar price bump, as what has happened to Lighting and the Design Idea. And really we're talking 15 bucks. I would rather have my students fork over an extra $15 for a book they will actually read and learn from than buy a slightly cheaper paperweight.

As a Set Designer, I teach Lighting Design as a second language, so to speak. So I have read nearly every lighting text available, both to keep myself current, and in the search for the best text for my students. For an undergraduate or an into course, Lighting and the Design Idea is, hands-down the clear choice.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Professor of Lighting Design, January 1, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Lighting and the Design Idea (Paperback)

This is hands down the best book on lighting design I've seen.
It is clear, coherent, and concise. A wonderful book to use for
both beginning designers, as well as for intermediate and even
advanced designers, for review and clarification.
This is not a book about technical subjects - it is about design, which is what sets it apart.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Have Lighting Textbook, November 1, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Lighting and the Design Idea (Paperback)

Lighting and the Design Idea by Linda Essig is an essential lighting textbook for serious lighting educators, professionals and students. All aspects of lighting design from conception to execution are covered. Buy and enjoy!