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Sinem Sarialioglu Spotlight hero
Team Member Spotlight |

Q+A with Sinem Sarialioglu, Senior Lighting Designer (Istanbul)

Q+A with Sinem Sarialioglu, Senior Lighting Designer (Istanbul)

How do you describe your job to people outside of the industry?

If I describe my job as a lighting designer, I have to say that lighting design includes important branches such as science, psychology, health, and art. You need to be interested and update yourself in these branches if you want to be a lighting designer, because light affects the world and the planet energetically as it impacts all living things. Therefore, lighting design should have a science-based accuracy and an art-based aesthetic view. A lighting designer designs the interior, exterior, landscape, road, etc. in every area that needs light in a natural or artificial way.

Why did you decide to become a lighting designer?

I believe that light has had a spirit since I was a child, and I think that this spirit affects our emotions as well as our living spaces. Light has always excited me. While I was studying interior architecture at university, I realized how important lighting is, and I decided to focus my professional career on this field. I have been working on many projects as a lighting designer for about ten years.

How would you describe life at Ghafari?

The most exciting part for me is that Ghafari really sees the value of having different specialist disciplines to solve very intricate challenges. We bring the confidence to enable client visions. That has a lot to do with working closely with all disciplines.

What is the most exciting thing that has happened during your time here?

The Ferrero Düzce [hazelnut processing plant] project was exciting for me. It was the first project for which I designed and managed the lighting for all of the buildings and site.

What is a key idea or lesson you have learned while working at Ghafari?

I have learned that working in coordination with all disciplines is essential in lighting design and how proper coordination positively affects the implementation phase of the project. In addition, I have experienced the place of architects and electric power in lighting design and the advantages of working together.

How do you like to spend your free time?

Generally, I like to paint and do sports such as yoga and kick-box, and write theatre play in my spare time. In addition, I like to discover new places and meet new people to improve myself and my worldview.