Design Through a New Light: My Summer at Oculus
This summer, I had the pleasure of working at Oculus as an Architectural Lighting Intern. Jumping into the world of lighting design, a field I had known little about, was exciting. My initial interest in lighting was sparked by a visit earlier this year to the Washington, DC Lutron Experience Center. There, I attended an hour-long immersive lighting demonstration and witnessed firsthand how light affects the look and feel of a space and the people within it. I noticed how my mood changed with each subtle shift in color temperature, light intensity, and distribution. The experience dramatically altered my understanding of interior spaces, demonstrating how differently they can be perceived simply because of their lighting. Stepping into my internship at Oculus allowed me to explore this further and opened my eyes to a new career path.
Over the course of the summer, I had the opportunity to contribute to a range of commercial, residential, retail, and hospitality projects. Some of my responsibilities included revising plans and lighting schedules, performing wattage calculations, creating grayscale renderings, and preparing client presentations. I even had the privilege of attending a few site visits where I could see these designs truly come to life. Additionally, I conducted an independent research project on sustainable lighting, gathering data from various lighting manufacturers and sales representatives to understand how the lighting industry is addressing sustainability worldwide. In the process, I learned the basics of AutoCAD, Bluebeam, and the notoriously tricky AGI32 while strengthening my skills in Revit and the Adobe Suite. Contributing to these projects at various stages of development gave me a holistic view of the lighting design process and a taste of what it means to be a professional lighting designer.
None of this would’ve been possible without the help of Oculus’ supportive, multi-faceted team. And of course, Gizmo, the office dog, and a surprisingly knowledgeable lighting consultant. With their help, I was able to jump between numerous tasks, gain proficiency in various software, and develop a deeper understanding of the design process. Everyone at Oculus went out of their way to make me feel a part of the team. The collaborative nature and strong communication across the company were evident from the start. As someone new to the world of lighting, I felt especially supported: the team was always ready to answer all my questions and provided me with mentorship and advice that I will carry with me for the rest of my career.
As I prepare to enter my final year of Interior Architecture at George Washington University, I feel all the more prepared to tackle the intensive projects, presentations, and assignments headed my way. Working as an architectural lighting intern this summer allowed me to tap into a more niche but integral field of design and sharpen my communication, technical, and creative thinking skills. I am grateful for all I have learned and for the wonderful team I got to work alongside, and I am leaving with an enriched perspective on the role lighting plays in every designed space.
