Positive Energy: Tillotson Design Associates' Suzan Tillotson on the Impacts of Thoughtful Lighting Design, Evoking Change, and Taking Risks
By Julia Gamolina
Suzan is an internationally recognized lighting designer and Founding Partner of Tillotson Design Associates. TDA was named Architizer’s A+ Lighting Design Firm in 2021. Suzan was named Lighting Designer of the Year at the 2017 Lighting Design Awards in London and was awarded the International Dark Sky Association’s Lighting Design and Technology Award in 2018. She has lectured at numerous events and universities including Cornell, Dalhousie, and Princeton. In 2022, Suzan was named LSU’s College of Art & Design Nadine Russell Chair. In her interview with Julia Gamolina, Suzan talks about developing her specific focus and how lighting design affects how people feel in a space, advising those just starting their career to find the courage to take risks.
JG: Tell me about your foundational years — where did you grow up and what did you like to do as a kid?
ST: My father was a civil engineer that specialized in oil refineries. This provided me with the unique opportunity of living all over the world. I once attended three schools in one year! As a result of so much traveling, I became very aware of the built environment and my surroundings. I loved to paint and draw, and make things with my hands. I also enjoyed playing all sports. My senior year of high school we moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The Perelman Center at WTC. Photography by Johnathan Morefield.
The Broad. Photography by Iwan Baan.
How did you get to your focus on lighting design?
During my second year at LSU, I attended a lecture about lighting design given by Howard Brandston. He spoke about the field with such passion, and I instantly knew this was the right career path for me. I changed my major to interior design so I could focus on lighting. After graduation I worked as a draftsman at a local engineering firm, and after a few months I found myself in charge of all the lighting!
In 1986 I relocated to NYC with my husband and our two-year old son, where I joined Flack + Kurtz Engineers. After a short time, I realized I wanted to redirect my attention and energy to more creative work. I briefly worked for Howard Brandston, and from there I joined Jerry Kugler. Eventually, I would set out on my own to found Tillotson Design Associates.
How did you start Tillotson Design Associates?
After 9/11, not only were there many economic challenges in NYC, but also within our company, so in 2004 I decided to go out on my own. An old employee loaned me a desk, phone, and copier and I started making calls. Despite being absolutely terrified, I was also exhilarated. The start of a new beginning was intoxicating for me and TDA was founded with a lot of positive energy!
“I feel a lighting designer’s involvement in a project positively impacts how people feel, look, and behave in a space. This in turn directly translates to more visitors, sales, productivity, visibility, etc.”
With your incredible years of running the practice, what are you focused on most these days?
I am personally passionate about the mitigation of light pollution and support the mission of the International Dark Sky Association. It is ironic that with the advent of LED’s we have actually made the planet even brighter. I’m not a fan of overlighting; I’m much more interested in exploring how little light it will take to solve a problem.
Looking back at it all, what have been the biggest challenges? How did you manage through perceived disappointments or setbacks?
There is fortunately a lot more awareness of our profession today than when I entered the industry over forty years ago. Back then, we weren’t even listed in the RFP’s. We were invisible collaborators, often sitting and sketching with the few architects who understood our value and the impacts of good lighting. We now have a “seat at the table,” and for most of our RFQ’s “lighting designer” is now a requirement. I remember being so proud when that happened!
I think our industry will become more of a recognized profession when we become a part of the curriculum at universities. Recognizing that it’s not always easy to quantify, I feel a lighting designer’s involvement in a project positively impacts how people feel, look, and behave in a space. This in turn directly translates to more visitors, sales, productivity, visibility, etc.
Suzan reviews in-house mockup.
Suzan at Comcast Tower mockup.
What have you also learned in the last six months?
Lighting technology can evoke positive change in people and their environment, and we enjoy being at the forefront of that movement.
What are you most excited about right now?
The power of AI is very exciting for rapid problem solving, however, my son runs a data software firm, and we have discussed the risks associated with the lack of regulation.
“I’ve learned that if you don’t take risks, if you don’t face the possibility of failure head on, you’re throwing away opportunity and the potential for growth.”
Who are you admiring now and why?
Danish environmental artist Olafur Eliasson, light artists James Turell, Leo Villareal and sculptor Tara Donovan. Their work excites and inspires me.
What is the impact you’d like to have on the world? What is your core mission? And, what does success in that look like to you?
As a lighting designer, I've had the rare and wonderful opportunity to collaborate with some of the world’s most creative minds: architects, landscape architects, artists, graphic designers, interior designers and exhibit designers. I’ve learned to see projects through their various lenses — each uniquely challenges the way buildings and landscapes are used and experienced. Success for me in my work is when we’ve met the goals of our clients, our design collaborators, and the end users. Their goals aren’t always aligned, so pleasing them all is truly a successful project.
One Vanderbilt. Photography by Michael Moran.
One Vanderbilt Extension. Photography by Max Touhey.
Finally, what advice do you have for those starting their career? Would your advice be any different for women?
Learn a lot about one thing and make yourself a specialist. I briefly considered a major in civil engineering, which is a field that doesn’t attract a lot of women — especially 40 years ago. I wanted to know a lot about one thing to be marketable and hire-able. I followed my passion to go into a very specialized, creative field.
Also, find the courage to take risks, even though it could mean giving something up, not listening to people who don’t think you can do it, moving away from the security of all your family and friends, taking a huge pay cut, or walking away from a business you helped to build. I know this because I've done all five. I’ve learned that if you don't take risks, if you don’t face the possibility of failure head on, you're throwing away opportunity and the potential for growth.