We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ari Kim. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ari below.

Ari, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?

The text contains numerous clues that guide my creative process. By analyzing it carefully, I can determine how to approach the production. So analyzing the text and organizing those with my language is my process for next steps.
Once I extract these insights, I typically start with artwork that reflects the mood and emotion of the piece. These visuals help me navigate the needs of the production and facilitate communication with the director and other designers.
I’ve found that these images also inspire other collaborators, enhancing their creativity and helping them contribute to the production.
Communication is key in my work. Establishing a shared vision is essential, and while words are our primary tool, images often help convey our goals more effectively. They have the power to evoke emotions and shape narratives, making them invaluable in our collaborative process.
These whole process is the beginning of what I and we need to encounter with the first step of the production.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a lighting designer for theatre, working across various genres such as plays, musicals, opera, and dance. I’ve also designed for events held in unique spaces like museums and churches. My process begins with analyzing the space in relation to the show’s context. I consider the physical environment and how it can influence the production.
I use lighting equipment and create 3D images to visualize the space and the performers. My goal is to control and highlight what’s important in a way that enhances the narrative. Lighting can be both abstract and literal—while the equipment is concrete and specific, the emotions and ideas I convey are often more symbolic and intangible.
I love the process of selecting what’s essential. Lighting is visible but also invisible; without set designs and costumes, it lacks context. In an empty space, I begin by creating a framework that becomes meaningful when combined with other elements. Although I occasionally approach my work with a critical perspective, I understand that lighting plays a vital role in making everything visible. It’s this collaboration that fills me with pride, knowing that together, we create meaning.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I believe if I knew various ways of how to communicate well, I would have much easier to approach the show. Image research is good way to think together. However it has a limit to show what I really want to do in the theatre.
I learned ‘Capture’ which is lighting rendering program. I use this program right now. But I believe this can be helpful to how and what equipment will well represent the idea what I have. This makes other collaborators understand well what I am going to do in the real space.
However the most important essential resource is creating base image board and learning lots of artist around the world. The artists are the best fella to navigate the process. Their idea or sometimes image they are creating make me well understand for the production. So I start to make base image research file to find the initial idea and then burrow into specific emotions and also other image I want to find out.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I have a moment when I felt really in my work and got closer to what we are going to do.
As a one of collaborators, I have felt proud and happy with our collaboration creating some meaningful moments. It is hard and tough, since they are not easy to find out. A little change makes lots of difference. When I found out how to make this happen and share with others, I felt I am a trouble maker but a key for the whole narrative, and the show.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lightingdesignarikim.com
• Instagram: with_ari