Name: Austin Kelm
Title: Lighting Designer
Years Worked at VT: I joined the team at VTI in the Fall of ’22
Favorite Project: I’ve really enjoyed my time working on [NDA Immersive Project] because it has blended my background in Theatre and my fascination with historic architecture. I have had the privilege to see the concept evolve over time and to become something truly magical and unique.
Tell us your funniest or most memorable memory at Visual Terrain: When I first started at Visual Terrain, I got to join several of the veteran team members at a theme park where they had worked as part of the opening team. It was incredible to hear all the stories behind the seemingly mundane features and realize how authentic much of the scenery and design was. It also stood as a lesson in how a design that is more than 20 years old can remain timeless and relevant.
Favorite Aspect of Lighting Design: I really enjoy the way that Lighting can be the “glue” that ties all the disciplines together into something magical and cohesive. I had a Professor that would say that “Lighting creates an environment for the story to take place.” I enjoy being able to “set the scene” for a project and let the storytelling shine through, whether that be a Theatrical show, a hospitality project, or a new venue.
What or Who Inspires You: I often find the most inspiration for my work in older projects which have withstood the test of time. I find it incredible what designers in the early 20th century were able to achieve with such limited technology and the way that they innovated to achieve what had never been done before. It is a constant reminder to not get bogged down in trying to incorporate all the new tech available to us and to instead rely on the fundamentals of design.
Fun Fact About Yourself that No One Knows: In my free time, I like to try to better my city and my neighborhood through local advocacy for more sustainable policies and design. Several of the projects that my neighbors and I have designed and advocated for have been realized through city or grant funding. Some of these projects have gone into our local Native Pollinator Garden, which I have the privilege to help run. It is one of the largest inner-city gardens, entirely volunteer run, and has been an incredible space for community, education, and adaptive reuse.
What is your favorite part about being a lighting designer? I really enjoy that no two workdays are the same. Every project that I get to be a part of is unique and brings a new set of design challenges and problems to solve. I also enjoy getting to embrace my inner nerd and learn about all the new lighting tech that the manufacturers have cooked up. As designers we get to “paint” with light and each new fixture is like a brand-new brush that we get to try out.