Customer Reviews

Lighting and the Design Idea

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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 Pilbrow's text, though graced with charming, hand-drawn cartoons, is poorly illustrated (and surprisingly outdated) for a book concerning such a visual field.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hand, it's a bit apples/oranges, since that is the same price for the same book--the 1997 edition rapidly becoming outdated.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.

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.

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!

I have read thru many textbooks on lighting in search of the perfect one to use in the classroom. This one is as close to perfection as I have come across! It ties concepts together in a way that makes more sense then others I have seen. This is also the best explanation of "motivational source"/ Key lighting I have seen. Clear and Concise. It's actually a pleasure to read. Wish I found this book years ago!