The field of Architecture is vast, and incorporates so many intricate elements that not only enhance living spaces but also evoke a diverse range of emotions through intangible experiences.
Trinetra Manickavasagam, our next pathbreaker, Lighting Designer at Tillotson Design Associates (NY), works on a very diverse portfolio that includes both interior and exterior for corporates and institutions, from concept design to the construction phase.
Trinetra talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about how her interest in Lighting Design led her to Parsons School of Design (NYC) where she explored the endless possibilities in the applications of light in architecture.
For students, Understand the impact of the profession you desire, and if that speaks to you. It’s easier to do it these days. There’s someone who has surely done it before you somewhere.
Trinetra, tell us what were your growing up years like?
I grew up studying in a boarding school in Ooty, where I first got introduced to art as a subject. Unfortunately, it was only available for senior students, and just as I was getting close to that stage, my parents decided I should switch to a dayschool for my last two years. They wanted me to be home since I’d be heading off to college soon. This dayschool was very different in that it was very limited in its offerings—it offered only three main streams: science group 1 (chemistry, physics with biology), science group 2 (physics chemistry with computer science), and commerce. No art. This meant my creative side didn’t get much attention during that time. I took science with computers to keep my options open.
Like most 14-year-olds, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but I did know what I didn’t want. Growing up, we didn’t have access to the internet the way we do today, so career exploration was really basic. My parents, like many at the time, had limited exposure to the wide array of career options available today. My dad was in the garment business, while my mom managed the home, shouldering the responsibility of raising us with love, and unwavering care. Around this time, my dad was building our family’s first home, and I’d often go with him for design meetings with the architect. It was fascinating, and I thought, “Maybe this is something I could do!”
What did you do for graduation/post graduation?
In 12th grade, I started preparing for architecture entrance exams and got into one of the top schools for architecture in India. It sounded like a big achievement, but I wasn’t ready for what architecture school really was. I went in blindly, not knowing enough about it, and unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy the experience. I pushed through, graduated on time, but knew in my heart that architecture wasn’t going to be my career. It was a tough journey, and it left me feeling very burnt out and uninspired.
Even though I struggled, I’d invested five years of my life in the degree, and I didn’t want to completely abandon it. I began asking myself, “How can I use what I’ve learnt in a way that feels exciting and meaningful?”
How did you end up in such an offbeat, unconventional and unusual career in Lighting Design?
While architecture school gave me a strong foundation, the experience also left me with doubts. I often felt lost, questioning whether I had chosen the right path. That lingering uncertainty stayed with me until much later when I stumbled upon lighting design almost by chance. It was during the process of designing our family home.
It helped me discover the parts of architecture that architecture school didn’t teach me. Something I enjoyed and gave me a spark to explore other creative opportunities within the field of built environments. Sitting in those design meetings with the lighting team, I found myself deeply intrigued. I loved how light could completely transform a space. It planted a seed of curiosity: could this be something more than just an interest? Could this be a career? At the same time, I carried a fear of making another misstep like I had with architecture, diving headfirst without fully understanding what I was committing to.
How did you make a transition to a new career? Tell us about your career path
I decided to explore this world further although very cautiously. My first exposure to lighting design was through an unpaid internship with a manufacturer’s representative firm – Gojis, who was working on my house. It was an internship I convinced my dad to help me secure. Though they primarily dealt with sales and representation, I gained valuable experience. The plan was simple: spend a couple of months learning the basics, gaining some hands-on experience, and then reassess. What started as a short internship turned into over two years of working there. I eagerly absorbed what I could, creating basic layouts and choosing fixtures, visiting project sites and dealing with clients. Although it was fulfilling, I started to sense there was more to lighting design than what I was experiencing.
Driven by this curiosity, I began researching lighting design as an education more deeply. I wasn’t ready to take the plunge and fully commit to the field. So I looked for short courses. My search led me to short workshops in Sweden and Greece: “Lights in Alingsås” and “Rethinking the Night.” These experiences were transformative. Unlike my internship, which focused on a representative’s perspective, these workshops introduced me to the creative and conceptual side of lighting design. I met mentors like Debra Gilmore, Chiara Carucci, Johan Moritz to name a few, whose enthusiasm and passion for lighting design was infectious, and peers from around the world who shared my newfound excitement. For the first time, I saw how vast this field was, extending beyond architecture into art, stage, and more.
Returning from these workshops, I was inspired and ready to take the next step. My background in architecture aligned naturally with architectural lighting design, so I started exploring a master’s program. Debra Gilmore, who was my mentor recommended several schools, and Hochschule Wismar in Germany, quickly became my top choice. Around this time, I also had the privilege of meeting Mr. Amardeep Duggar, a forerunner in lighting design in India. His expertise and encouragement solidified my belief that this was the right path for me.
While I was waiting to hear back from Wismar, I received an acceptance letter from Parsons School of Design in New York, along with an incredible 75% scholarship offer. My dad, thrilled at the prospect of an education in America, encouraged me to take the opportunity. I was torn. America is the furthest from home, most expensive and a lot was at stake. Wismar had been my dream, but the offer from Parsons was hard to ignore. Seeking guidance, I called Mr. Amardeep Duggar, who advised me to take the Parsons offer, especially given the mentorship of Glenn Shrum, the director of their MFA Lighting Design program at the time.
Starting at Parsons was both thrilling and nerve-wracking. The lingering anxiety from my undergraduate years in architecture loomed large, but what I found at Parsons was completely different. The program was challenging but immensely rewarding. The professors were not just educators but mentors who inspired me to push boundaries and think differently about light. The experience expanded my understanding of how lighting design could shape spaces and human experiences.
Looking back, my path into lighting design wasn’t linear, but every step—from those early internships and workshops to the life-changing decision to study at Parsons played a role in shaping the designer I am today. What began as cautious curiosity evolved into a deep passion and a fulfilling career, and I am incredibly grateful for the mentors, experiences that led me here.
What was your experience in Lighting Design at Parsons?
Parsons School of Design provided me with an unparalleled platform to immerse myself in the world of lighting design. The program not only nurtured my skills but also prepared me for the challenges of the industry through a blend of academic rigor and real-world exposure. Being located in New York, often regarded as the global hub of lighting design, the school exposed me to invaluable opportunities.
One of the program’s greatest strengths is its emphasis on connecting students with the professional world. Throughout my time there, I had the privilege of attending guest lectures, engaging with industry leaders, and participating in interactions with top firms, which felt like I had a gateway to this incredible world even before graduation.These experiences played a crucial role in helping me secure an internship, which eventually turned into a full-time position at a prestigious firm after graduation.
In my second year, I became a teaching assistant to Dr. Craig Bernecker, now the director of the program. This role allowed me to deepen my understanding of the subject while giving back to the academic community that had supported me. I also collaborated with my professors, Francesca Bastianini and Alex Papas Keller, on an award-winning urban lighting design project, the Gowanus Lighting Atlas, which remains a proud highlight of my career.
Another aspect of my time at Parsons was the opportunity to delve into meaningful research. My thesis explored the perception of color temperature changes in LEDs during dimming, using an evidence-based design approach to evaluate how commercially available luminaires behave under varying intensities. The journey of this research brought incredible achievements that I’m deeply grateful for. It was recognized by the Illuminating Engineering Society of New York with the IESNY Thesis Prize in 2020, an acknowledgment that recognizes the lighting design student for an outstanding thesis that most directly impact future lighting recommendations through innovative thinking coupled with technical rigor.
Around the same time, I was honored to receive the Richard Kelly Grant, awarded annually to two individuals under the age of 35, from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. This recognition acknowledges those who preserve and incorporate Richard Kelly’s ideals, enthusiasm, and reverence for light in their own work.
The culmination of this journey was the selection of my research paper to be presented at the IES Annual Conference 2020 under the Emerging Professionals category. Standing among peers and mentors, sharing insights, and contributing to the broader lighting community was a humbling and inspiring moment.
How did you get your first break?
Parsons hosts an annual event that serves as a unique platform for students to showcase their work to firms from New York City and beyond. It was through this event that I secured a summer internship at Tillotson after my first year. The internship was an incredible learning experience, and I was fortunate to continue working with the firm throughout the following academic year. This continuity eventually led to an interview for a full-time role, and I was thrilled to be offered the position.
What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?
Pursuing my passion for lighting design came with its fair share of challenges.
The first major hurdle was bridging the gap in technical skills due to my undergraduate education. My architecture school, though valuable in many ways, adhered to a strictly traditional approach that excluded the use of computer software. We were taught to rely solely on hand drawing, and software use was not just discouraged but prohibited. This left me feeling behind when I entered my program in the U.S. Recognizing this gap, I had to take proactive steps to catch up and practise extensively on my own. While it was a steep learning curve, it also underscored the importance of adaptability and the need for educational institutions to evolve with the times.
The second significant challenge was completing my thesis during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. My final semester, march 2020, which was focused on evidence-based research, had to be conducted remotely—a situation that posed unique difficulties. Without access to the light lab at school, I had to reimagine my process entirely. My professors were incredibly supportive, shipping essential equipment to my tiny apartment in New York City. I also received invaluable assistance from industry representatives who sent products for testing. My living room became my makeshift lab, and though the situation was far from ideal, it was a testament to innovation under pressure.
Where do you work now? What problems do you solve?
I work at Tillotson Design Associates. The firm is a women owned, WBE Certified business. What I love about my job is that I get to work with architects I’ve idolized and learnt about in my undergraduate. I love that I get to work with a very talented group of peers and mentors.
Tillotson Design Associates is an architectural lighting design firm in New York City. The have a very diverse portfolio that includes both interior and exterior for corporate headquarters, universities, hotels, libraries, master plans, museums, galleries, parks, performance halls, residences, restaurants, and retail establishments.
A typical day would involve attending design meetings with clients, having internal design charettes, doing hands on mock-ups, production work and site visits.
Can you explain your role as Lighting Designer. What do you do?
As lighting designers we provide a comprehensive range of services, spanning from concept design to the construction phase. Through the construction process in addition to lighting drawings, we provide luminaire specifications, shop drawing reviews, working details for fixtures and mock-ups, as well as technical daylighting analyses and 3D computer night time visualizations.
How does your work benefit society?
Lighting design often exists in the shadow of architecture, but its impact is profound and transformative. To young students considering this path, I would emphasize that lighting design is not just about illuminating spaces—it’s about shaping experiences, enhancing functionality, and evoking emotions.
A well-lit space can completely redefine how people interact with their surroundings. For example, the same room can feel warm and inviting with the right lighting, or cold and unwelcoming with poor choices. Lighting plays a crucial role in guiding movement, improving safety, highlighting architectural details, and even influencing mental well-being. It’s a field where art meets science, blending creativity with technical precision.
Lighting design offers a niche but growing field with opportunities to collaborate with architects, interior designers, engineers, and urban planners to create impactful designs that go beyond aesthetics. As a lighting designer, you’re not just illuminating a space—you’re enhancing the human experience within it.
Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you!
It’s hard to single out just one project because each has been meaningful in its own way. However, I’ve had the privilege of working on some iconic projects in New York city.
One that really stands out is the The Perelman performing arts center – which is the final piece in the rebuilding of the World Trade Center site where the twin towers once stood. Being part of a project that carries such profound historical and emotional significance was both humbling and inspiring. Knowing that this space will contribute to the cultural and artistic fabric of the city makes me incredibly proud to have played a small role in its making.
Currently, I’m part of another remarkable project collaborating with the esteemed Pritzker Prize-winning Shigeru Ban Architects on a prototype for schools affected by the wildfires in Hawaii. This project feels special, as it is rooted in the idea of providing hope and renewal through design. Knowing that our work can play a small role in helping communities rebuild is incredibly fulfilling.
There are a few projects I can name :
M.I.T museum (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
Tiffany & Co Landmark Building
The Perelman performing arts center
Your advice to students based on your experience?
My advice would be from my own experience. Try to really dive a little deeper into why you want to do what you want to do. Understand the impact of the profession and if that speaks to you. And it’s okay to steer away from the mainstream career paths even though many people will not understand it and question it. Your understanding of it matters more. Trust yourself and seek advice from professionals already in the field. It’s so easy to do it these days. There’s someone who has surely done it before you somewhere.
Future Plans?
I always think about moving back to India and being an advocate for the importance of lighting design as a subject in the architecture field and as a profession.