Impacts of COVID-19 on the Lighting Design Profession
The latest results of the IALD State of the Lighting Design Profession Survey reveal the pandemic's impact on projects and firms along with some silver linings.
Lighting Design Firms Still Resilient in Wake of Continued Pandemic
Lighting Design Firms Maintain Status Quo
Solo practitioners seem to have been hit the hardest and were among the largest segment of those who cited a major decrease (26%) in prospective work. Firms with two to five employees were even split among minor, moderate and major decreases. We start to see less negative impact—more moderate and minor impact—on prospective work as the firms (11 to 49 and 50+) increase in size.
Lighting Design Firms See No Change in the Breadth of Sectors Affected by COVID-19
Most Current Projects are Moving Forward Despite COVID-19
Top COVID-19 Related Issues for Lighting Design Firms Remain the Same
January 2021 Shows Continued Softening in Firm Spending and Hiring
When COVID-19 first hit, most firms (71%) put a freeze on major expenditures. Freezes on major expenditures dropped from 71% in May 2020 to 46% in January 2021. Sixty percent of firms in May placed a hold on discretionary spending compared to 48% in January 2021. Hiring has also softened indicating that 62% of firms are open to new hires.
Staffing Impact is Still Minor for Most Firms
COVID-19 has impacted staffing for lighting design firms, but trends remain relatively consistent from October 2020 to January 2021. Many firms haven’t experienced any changes to staffing and are still holding on hiring new staff. The two areas that showed an increase during this time are lay-offs (19% reported in January 2021 compared to 14% in October 2020) and reducing staff pay (19% reported in January 2021 compared to 16% in October 2020).
Indicators show that there is a small shift back to working from home likely due to a resurgence in the pandemic in some areas. In January 2021, the survey indicates a minor increase in all staff working remotely at 57%, up from 55% in October 2020. Virtual meetings and client site visits went up slightly (+3%) in January 2021 from 24% in October 2020.
Business Owners’ Continue to Split Time Managing Current Work and Seeking New Projects
Business owners and principals are still spending most of their time on managing current projects (75% in January 2021) and seeking new work (54% in January 2021). Owners are spending less time looking into financial implications and resources (down 22% since May 2020) and still managing staff morale and communication.
The Pandemic Has Created Some Positives for Lighting Designers
While many lighting designers have a range of thoughts from positive to negative about the impacts of the pandemic on the lighting design profession, we also know that many lighting designers have seen positives outcomes as well.
Overwhelmingly, lighting designers and teams cited that they can effectively work remotely and be productive. There were threads from lighting designers about how remote work allows for greater freedom and flexibility. One respondent shared that as remote work became more acceptable, there was more empathy for designers who had to juggle work and family responsibilities and demands. Another respondent shared that working remotely has changed the perception about being open to different working hours to accommodate personal schedules. A lighting designer happily shared, “I can maintain the caliber of work by working from home and I am still keeping my clients happy. I love the flexibility of working from home!”
A second theme that emerged from working remotely is that many lighting designers agreed that remote work cut down on unnecessary travel and expenses. This was especially true for lighting designers who travel internationally for client meetings and projects. One designer was relieved and shared that working from home was very efficient and saved a lot of travel time. “With more international projects this is a huge relief.”
Lighting designers have had more time to reflect on how the pandemic has affected them and their colleagues. One designer shared that the pandemic showed them that their company really cares about their employees. The staff has become closer on a personal level and this has increased the strength of the team. A business owner shared that the pandemic gave them the opportunity to learn more about their employees and themselves. They already knew that they were able to operate remotely, and what they didn’t know they figured out. One designer said they learned about humility—how important “the in-between” is on all levels. Many high-end architects have "let their guard down" and become more "human.”
ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LIGHTING DESIGNERS (IALD)
The International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD), established in 1969, is an international organization supporting a network of more than 1,500 lighting design professionals who satisfy its rigorous qualification process. IALD strives to set the global standard for lighting design excellence by promoting the advancement and recognition of professional lighting designers, cultivating the universal acknowledgement and appreciation of the Power of Light in human life. For more information, please visit iald.org.
IALD CONTACT
ELIZABETH RANDGAARD
IALD DIRECTOR, MARKETING + COMMUNICATIONS
PH: +1 312 434 1761
EMAIL: ELIZABETH@IALD.ORG
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