Member of the Month

June 2021

Zachary Pearson
IALD, LEED AP BD+C, MIES
Lighting Designer, Fisher Marantz Stone

Q: How did you first get started in the lighting industry?
My first memory of being drawn to light was as a toddler chasing fireflies in my grandparents’ backyard. What started as fascination became a passion at the age of six after experiencing the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Walt Disney World. Subsequently, I was creating elaborate lighting installations at my home (that were probably visible from space) as well as actively participating in theater as a triple threat. My love of lighting, theater, and storytelling continued through several stints in summer stock at the Mac-Haydn Theatre in Chatham, NY until I started college at age 14. After earning two associate degrees, I transferred to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to pursue an accredited bachelor’s degree in Architecture while concurrently studying for a Masters in Lighting at the Lighting Research Center. I graduated at the top of my class with a summa cum laude degree in 2018. During this time, I had the opportunity to serve as a research assistant to Ute Besenecker, Ph.D. and to contribute to her paper, "Beyond Appearances-A Study in Light, Color and Perception." My creativity was further inspired and supported by working directly with Howard Brandston on specialty, boutique residential projects. Internships at the Center for Architecture, Science and Ecology (CASE) at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) allowed me to study the phytoremediation abilities of plants in the built environment while Adirondack Studios in Argyle, NY, fostered a combination of my passions by permitting me to work on projects by providing creative design, design support, and actualization of theme parks and experiences for industry leaders around the world. I was also fortunate to be able to design and develop the proof-of-concept prototypes for "Breathing Lights," a temporary, multi-city light installation that received the Bloomberg Philanthropy Award. My Thesis Project “Public Light Art and Community Engagement Through Civic Light,” involved a study of regional and international light festivals. Receiving the IESNYC Merit Scholarship in 2018, supported my research trips which took me to Ontario, Canada for the "Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights," Binghamton, NY for “LUMA Projection Arts Festival,” Corning, NY for "Parade of Lights,” and Montreal, Canada to experience “Aura," "Foresta Lumina," and “Montreal en Histoires,” as well as to several world-famous light festivals in Europe. In 2019, I designed “Winter Lumify,” a collection of immersive light installations, projections, and interactive photo opps which I accomplished in collaboration with twenty business owners and then created, hand crafted, installed, and curated, as a part of Troy Night Out in Troy NY. Upon graduation, I was welcomed into the Fisher, Marantz, Stone family as a designer where I am encouraged to follow my dream of bringing thoughtful and engaging lighting solutions into the built environment while making incredible, immersive experiences for our clients.

Q: How did you first get involved in the IESNYC?
My involvement with IES first began at the Lighting Research Center when my professors, Jen Brons and Patricia Rizzo, encouraged me to attend the Albany, NY Section meetings and presentations so I could begin to develop more of an understanding of the lighting profession outside of the classroom. I became a student member and enjoyed widening my knowledge through presentations that varied from manufacturing technology to case studies to controls. At the same time, my RPI mentor and professor, Russ Leslie, recognizing my zeal for sharing my passion of all things theatrical and lighting, my community volunteer outreach work, and desire to share my knowledge with others, urged me to apply for the IESNYC Merit Scholarship. I was fortunate and honored to receive the award in 2018. In addition to being able to continue pursuing my studies in lighting both in the US and abroad, I was also able to connect with Mike Barr (president of the IESNYC) and Caleb McKenzie (chair of the Scholarship Committee and Board Liaison). They stayed in contact with me while I finished my studies and invited me to share my thesis research as the Keynote Speaker at the 2019 IESNYC Thesis Awards ceremony. The entire IESNYC Board has continued to be supportive and has encouraged me to develop my study into a presentation for future Light Fair and industry events.

Q: How do you see your role as a member of the IESNYC?
After receiving my master’s degree and becoming a part of Fisher, Marantz, Stone, I have continued to remain in contact with many of my IESNYC mentors and to work with them in my role as a lighting designer in NYC. In 2020, I was invited to serve on the committee to select the next recipient of the IESNYC Merit Scholarship. In the spring of 2021, I had the privilege of serving on the jury of the Scholarship Committee once again and am extremely grateful to Caleb McKenzie for allowing me to become involved in the same committee that encouraged, supported, and drove me to become the member of the lighting community that I am. It was a pleasure to review the applications of all the future designers and lighting professionals that submitted materials to us. I am exceedingly happy for Dianna Osickey and Katrina Matejcik and I look forward to all that they accomplish. Personally, I plan to continue to collaborate with the outstanding members of the IESNYC Board to develop ways to engage our lighting community with the ephemeral and experiential side of light and I intend to contribute to generating opportunities to bring the enchantment of light to young, potential designers and creators and to cultivate an incredibly diverse and imaginative future for our profession.

Q: In your opinion, what are the best assets of the IESNYC?
Light, a scientific phenomenon, is also a magical entity that can transform an environment, illicit a reaction, incite wonder and draw people together. There hasn't been a step in my professional lighting journey that wasn't impacted by the encouragement and support of IESNYC and their belief in me. The extraordinary, talented, and distinct people are what makes IESNYC all that it is. Their personal attention and desire to inspire each other and share their vast knowledge and history with the next generation by selflessly investing their time and energy, as well as providing innumerable educational opportunities is evidence that this organization will continue to flourish and be a leader in our profession.