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Performance lighting designer

Also called lighting designer, theatre lighting designer, performance lighting creator

Performance lighting designers develop a lighting design concept for a performance and supervise the execution of it. Their work is based on research and artistic vision. Their design is influenced by and influences other designs and must be conform with these designs and the overall artistic vision. Therefore, the designers work closely with artistic directors, operators and the artistic team. During rehearsals and performance, they coach the operators to obtain optimal timing and manipulation. Performance lighting designers develop lighting plots, cue lists and other documentation to support the operators and production crew. They sometimes also work as autonomous artists, creating light art outside a performance context.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospects40 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Science and engineering professionalsWhat does it pay?Above averageFrom about €2,000 (Bulgaria) to €7,100 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Science and engineering professionalsWhat do I need to study?Usually a degree9 in 10 have a degree.Science and engineering professionalsWill AI change it?ModeratelyLevel 4 of 6. AI could take on part of most tasks, but none fully.Graphic and multimedia designers · ILO

What you'd do

Graphic and multimedia designers · ILO
  • Determining the objectives and constraints of the design brief by consulting with clients and stakeholders
  • Undertaking research and analysing functional communication requirements
  • Formulating design concepts for the subject to be communicated
  • Preparing sketches, diagrams, illustrations and layouts to communicate design concepts
  • Designing complex graphics and animation to satisfy functional, aesthetic and creative requirements of the design brief
  • Creating two-dimensional and three-dimensional images depicting objects in motion or illustrating a process, using computer animation or modelling programmes
  • Negotiating design solutions with clients, management, sales and production staff
  • Selecting, specifying or recommending functional and aesthetic materials and media for publication, delivery or display
  • Detailing and documenting the selected design for production
  • Supervising or carrying out production in the chosen media
Use specialised design softwareDevelop design conceptPresent artistic design proposalsMonitor developments in technology used for designDevelop design ideas cooperatively+ 37 more essential skills

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

Many jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as science and engineering professionals in the EU
5.82m7.82m9.03m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
948,000 new jobs 2,300,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Science and engineering professionals40
All jobs29
Right now
0 of 27 countries report a shortage of graphic and multimedia designers, 18 a surplus.
Graphic and multimedia designers · EURES

What does it pay?

Above average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €2,000 a month (Bulgaria) to €7,100 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among professionals in the EU, women earn 21% less per hour than men. Professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually a degree

A degree in audio-visual techniques and media production is the usual route.

Highest qualification of science and engineering professionals (EU, 2025)
Degree 90%Vocational 6%General secondary 3%Basic schooling 1%
Fields that teach it
Audio-visual techniques and media production · Software and applications development and analysis · Law
Vocational route, EU
3 in 10 trainees in this field
Arts and humanities graduates in a matching job
52% in the EU

1,154 institutions in the EU offer arts and humanities bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Moderately

AI could take on part of most tasks, but none fully.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.49 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 10 tasks
Creating two-dimensional and three-dimensional images depicting objects in motion or illustrating a process, using computer animation or modelling programmes0.61
Formulating design concepts for the subject to be communicated0.58
Preparing sketches, diagrams, illustrations and layouts to communicate design concepts0.56
Detailing and documenting the selected design for production0.55
Undertaking research and analysing functional communication requirements0.53
Designing complex graphics and animation to satisfy functional, aesthetic and creative requirements of the design brief0.52
Selecting, specifying or recommending functional and aesthetic materials and media for publication, delivery or display0.42
Determining the objectives and constraints of the design brief by consulting with clients and stakeholders0.41
Supervising or carrying out production in the chosen media0.38
Negotiating design solutions with clients, management, sales and production staff0.37

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for graphic and multimedia designers. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).