This workshop is a deep dive into one potential aspect of accessible practice for Lighting Design. Throughout the last year we have developed a design tool that hopes to lower threshold to entry for designing. After successful trials of the design tool across a variety of theatre productions, our Workshop is aiming to begin dissemination of both  the tool and the research. The workshop allow professionals and students and insight into the underlying research, try utilising the accessible platform for lighting design and to give feedback on their practice and the potential of the tool before further development.

Having looked at the success of tools that have been designed specifically with artists as the core user demographic, for example Photoshop, this research aims to adapt design interface to be more accessible to a wider demographic outside of technicians. Predominately this has looked at removing language from the interface and replacing with symbols or images, allowing users to generate a unique lighting design from a single image.

This is a workshop that has been developed as part of an ongoing Practice Based Research PhD. The central aim of this research is to understand how to improve barriers to accessibility of technology for scenography within the performing arts through creative solutions and ongoing provocations. The wider outcomes of the project is to enable wider creative use of technologies within scenography, and to encourage practitioners to investigate their own processes.

BIO of Presenter:

Isabel Potter is a PhD Researcher at Bath Spa, currently researching the intersection between technology, scenography, and accessibility as part of the MyWorld research group. Prior to and alongside current academic research, they are a Production Manager, particularly focusing on developing work that strives to leave a positive impact. Notable work includes Sensory Cinders, 2024, The West End's first show created for audiences with PMLD, Production Manager of Oldham Coliseum, and SICK! Festival. Isabel uses a combination of their passion for performance and their Master's in Aerospace Engineering to bring a unique approach to their work and research.