An Illuminating Q&A with Wendy Wenig of Iconic Inspirations
I like to use art as light, and light as art, in surprising places.
How did you become a Design Consultant?
WW: In 2015, I graduated from design school in Vancouver. I came home determined to work as an independent, right off the bat. It was scary but I wanted to be an approachable designer. To me, that means spending the time clients actually need, especially those who have troubles making decisions. Not everybody can make a snap decision and be cool to go with it.
What’s the best part of the work you do?
WW: I love seeing spaces come together. Particularly, designing an environment that a family grows into. Creating those unique spaces with them means that they have their signature on it.
What role does lighting play in interior design?
WW: If you don’t have proper lighting, you don’t know what you really have. There are a lot of clichés, but it’s true — without light, you’re in the dark. As a designer, function has to come before form in all things. You have to take care of those kinds of things before the beauty of it. Because every client has their own unique needs when it comes to lighting, discussions include lifestyle, space usage and personal sensitivities.
Do you have any inspirations in how you approach lighting?
WW: Yes! When I was in school, I learned about an artist and designer called Philippe Starck. He uses light in so many ways. He started with creating lamps and lamp shades. And the shades themselves were the art part. So when you put the light through the art, it just makes the space so dramatically different. It turns the fixture into a character in the room itself.
I like to use art as light, and light as art, in surprising places. Lighting is the equivalence of art and science working together—with people, who are the most individualistic creatures on earth.
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