Enriqueta Díaz Campos has been working at Signify for twenty-four years. During that time, she has always designed for lighting projects. In the last fifteen years  she specialized in outdoor lighting with a focus on city beautification lighting. 

1.      What made you choose a lighting design career?

I came to the world of lighting by chance; I entered thanks to a university scholarship to Signify. I could not imagine reaching a better place. I studied Industrial Engineering, but I have always been interested in other more artistic subjects such as drawing, painting, jewelry and 3D design. I chose the field of lighting design because I have been able to integrate both worlds: the technical and artistic side.

2.      What is your background (education)?

I have a degree in Electronic Industrial Engineering and Superior Technician of Plastic Arts and Design in Artistic Jewelry. I have continuously trained in technical and graphic design programs; lighting designers must continue to study to keep informed of the latest technologies and how to use them in lighting design.

3.      What is your motivation?

What motivates me is that each project is different. With each project you must be able to imagine the best solution, sometimes just to find the most efficient solution possible, or it can be to create a unique visual experience. As a lighting designer you also must be able to apply the most avant-garde technologies that exist in the field of lighting such as dynamism and connectivity. I find it the most gratifying thing when you see them once they are executed. I also like explaining design differently to architects and to customers and using different materials depending on the customer (i.e., presentation, calculations).

4.      What inspires you?

I am inspired by my environment, current lighting trends and especially the trends of social networks - I like to go one step ahead in our proposals. My favorite social media are Pinterest and Instagram. They are places where you can see and learn a lot in terms of lighting and design. On social media, trends move fast, and you can learn from other people.

5.      Do you have a time in your career that was a turning point/breakthrough for you?

The most significant change for me and lighting in general was when LED technology was introduced in the field of lighting as it opened a wide range of possibilities. The incorporation of color and total control increased the creativity of the projects because the possibilities became infinite. With all these new possibilities, I could think of different ways to incorporate fixtures, design for certain parts of a building and not others and create different volumes of light – all this was not possible before LED lighting.

6.      Can you tell us more about your latest Color Kinetics projects?

In Spain we have a lot of historical heritage buildings or symbolic buildings that have a great history. We are currently very fortunate to be involved in renovation of their lighting. We hope to be able to execute them successfully as we have been doing so far. 

One of the projects that I have recently carried out on a large scale would be the Castle of Molina de Aragón in the province of Guadalajara. Here we have used IntelliHue technology.

In Toledo we have also upgraded numerous monuments. We continue to illuminate monuments there because the customer is very satisfied and happy with our lighting systems.

7.      Which project is your favorite and why?

One of the projects that I remember that was the most exciting to me, was the first project that Signify did in Spain with connected light. It was a light and sound show in the Plaza Alta of Badajoz in 2013. The result was spectacular and continues to be a refence point in the city to this day. Every year they premiere new light and sound shows that have led to the present to generate a socio-cultural framework around the town square.

Another example of innovation in this field is the first installation in Spain with an interactive lighting system. It allows citizens to interact with the installation via social media.

8.      What goal do you have in mind when you are designing?

I look for the lighting project to reveal the beauty of a building without distorting it. It is important to choose an adequate light temperature and the best projectors that can best be integrated into the environment. On the other hand, I look for the solution to be as efficient with the best possible result because we live in times where sustainability and the circular economy must be fundamental.

9.      How important is technological innovation for you as a designer?

Technological innovation is very important to me. Innovation allows us to continue growing and continue to excite ourselves every day when you make a lighting design. It also gives me differentiating tools to be able to sell an idea. In every project, I think it is important to find a balance between effectiveness and beauty.

10.   How important are interactivity and connectivity in your lighting projects?

Today, interactivity and connectivity are a differentiating factor compared to our competitors. The customer trusts the quality and reliability of Color Kinetics systems, backed up by the experience of many projects that have been successfully completed. We live in a connected world that becomes even more connected, so connectivity and interactivity are indispensable.

11.   How do you push boundaries with your lighting design?

It is important to know the client to whom a project is addressed, to know how to listen, to understand their needs and then to define a suitable lighting study. For example, it is not the same to present a study to an engineering bureau as to an architectural firm or to a local council nor is the type of presentation that we would make for each of them. The same goes for a more technical solution and a more visual and eye-catching one.

12.   How do you use the power of light to bring people together?

When you design a space with light effects and advance lighting systems, it is easy to involve people in that environment, create attractive spaces at night to enjoy and share experiences.

13.   What is not yet possible in lighting architecture that you would like to see become a reality in the future?

I think in the future, which I hope is not too far away, there will be wireless and solar lighting in architectural lighting - because in street lighting this is already a fact. Also, the advancement of customized 3D manufacturing that it is suitable for outdoor applications would open endless possibilities in terms of luminaire design in outdoor design.

15.   Future plans?

I would like to continue working in the field of lighting because I do not see a better place to develop my creativity, keep learning every day, and continue to share my knowledge inside and outside of Signify.

"Everything I know about lighting at Signify, I was able to learn because I had good teachers and colleagues and gained experience from doing so many projects." - Enriqueta Díaz Campos