This is a conversation about an unexpected journey.  As founder of Klaasen Lighting Design, I stumbled into the world of lighting design through a serendipitous encounter at Philips. I share how this encounter transformed my career and ignited a passion that led me from industrial design to become a global influencer in lighting design. This story is woven with tales of international projects, the creation of my personal brand "Light Talk," and a profound career shift, offering lessons on diplomacy, client engagement, and the power of multilingual skills.

From the transformation of my blog "Light Talk" into an influential book, spurred by the inspiration of a pioneering grandmother and a personal challenge mirroring the film "Julie & Julia." This journey of daily blog posts evolved into a platform for global interaction. The narrative of this story shines a light on the challenges and rewards of balancing creativity with business acumen, emphasising human-centric lighting and the relevance of staying adaptable through industry changes.

We also take a deep dive into my role as a mentor and educator, guiding the next generation of lighting designers through master classes and insightful mentorship. My experiences over the last 45 years in the industry are distilled into modules that offer both practical knowledge and inspiration for aspiring designers.  

Join me for a great personal conversation I had with Ingmar Klaasen that traverses the evolution of my lighting career.