Meet Our Member

The IESNYC spotlights a member each month whose volunteerism, perspectives or personal story helps advance our goals, pique our curiosity, and whose contributions help the IESNYC become a more vibrant and diverse lighting community. We value their expertise and thank them for volunteering their time and energy for the betterment of the section and NYC Lighting Community. #the_iesnycmom

June 2023

AC Hickox, LC, CLD, IES, IALD, LEED AP BD+C
Vice President/Managing Principal
Domingo González Associates

Q: How did you first get started in the lighting industry?
As a curious kid walking the family dog, I discovered that the light from the neighbors’ windows could evoke impressions about the way they lived. Each window was a view into a different world. So I became fascinated with lighting and its power to suggest emotion. In high school, not knowing that lighting was a thing, I told the drama teacher that I was considering film editing as a career, and she suggested that, at its best, stage lighting was the same: creating focus and atmosphere, helping the story unfold.

My first professional lighting experience was in college, where each summer we set up lighting towers in the park and lit musicians, speakers, plays, and traveling productions of all kinds. I kept at it for a quarter century, earning an MFA in lighting design and designing for theater, dance, and opera around the US, Europe, and Southeast Asia. But after a while, I wanted to try something new. I transitioned, gradually, from theatrical lighting design to architectural lighting design, where I had to learn AutoCAD, lighting calculations, code compliance and a whole new way of approaching projects.

Q: How did you first get involved in the IESNYC
Joining the IES is a rite of passage for young designers at our firm, as is taking the IES Fundamentals of Lighting course for those of us without a traditional architectural lighting background. I wasn’t very active in those early years, because I felt I had so much to learn. More recently, though, I’ve increased my involvement by serving as an online judge for the IES Illumination Awards (for so many years I’ve lost track!); lurking as an advisory member on the Progress Committee; and most recently, helping to start a new committee on Transportation Facilities, where I’m honored to serve as Chair.

It’s been my honor to join a team of peers as an IESNYC Lumen Awards judge.  

Q: How do you see your role as a member of the IESNYC?
Just as my role at DGA has grown to include mentorship of younger staff, I’ll continue to encourage young designers to join and become active in the local lighting community. We grow as designers by learning from the diverse and estimable knowledge base that our section represents. Every year the ritual of writing DGA’s Illumination Award submissions, and judging other sections’ entries, has been both challenging and rewarding. Of course, participating on a committee stocked with architects, manufacturers, engineers, and lighting designers is nothing if not dynamic.

Q: In your opinion, what are the best assets of the IESNYC?
First, the nurturing of newcomers to the profession via the IES Emerging Professionals program and our local NextGen events. Student activities and competitions, even programs like the Moonlighting exhibition – all of these foster interest, curiosity, and community. Second, IESNYC embraces not only lighting designers but also architects, engineers, manufacturers and their representatives, etc. and etc. This brings a breadth and depth of insight, perspective, design problem-solving, and collaboration available nowhere else. In short, the people are the IES’ best assets, and each of us in our own way are dedicated to enhancing our visual environment.