Career development: Wes Lloyd

Current Title:
Associate Lighting Designer

Background:
BSc (Hons) Building Services – London South Bank University

Joined Atelier Ten:
2007

What attracted you to join Atelier Ten?
I was attracted to Atelier Ten because of its approach to sustainable design, where different disciplines come together to create innovative solutions. What stood out to me was how the company integrates lighting design within the sustainability goals of each project. They focus not just on energy efficiency, but also on improving the comfort and well-being of people who use the space. Atelier Ten’s commitment to creating lighting systems that are environmentally friendly without sacrificing beauty perfectly aligns with my passion for both lighting design and protecting the environment.

What are you most proud of achieving at Atelier Ten?
I’m especially proud of my work on The Illuminated River project, where we designed and aimed the new lighting system for nine central bridges along the River Thames. At the beginning of the project we also carried out a illuminance study to measure the brightness along the riverbanks, ensuring the new lighting minimized disruption to the local wildlife and didn’t overshadow the nearby landmarks.

What advice would you give to graduate engineers who aspire to follow a similar career path and eventually become an Associate engineer or designer within Atelier Ten? Do you have any job search or career advice?
My advice is to stay curious and keep learning. It’s important to develop both technical expertise and soft skills, as they’re key to thriving at a firm like Atelier Ten. Find mentors to guide you and don’t shy away from taking on challenges that push you beyond your comfort zone.

Can you describe your journey from a Graduate Engineer to an Associate at Atelier Ten? What were the key milestones or projects that helped you grow in your career?
My journey from Graduate Designer to Associate was shaped by several key projects. Early on, I worked on a lighting design project that involved not only designing the system but also attending design meetings, which helped me gain valuable experience collaborating with contractors. As I developed further, I began taking on leadership roles, presenting lighting designs to clients and writing detailed lighting reports to support building planning and approvals. These experiences were crucial in advancing my career.

As an Associate, you likely have experience mentoring junior engineers. Can you share an example of a time when you mentored someone and helped them grow in their role?
I mentored a junior designer who was enthusiastic about learning lighting design but had difficulty using simulation tools to predict light levels and energy savings. We collaborated on a live project, where I guided them in using software like DIALux. By the end of the project, they had gained confidence in running simulations and applying the results to develop efficient lighting designs.

In your opinion, what are the most significant challenges that engineers face when transitioning from a graduate to a senior role, and how did you overcome these challenges?
One of the biggest challenges I faced was balancing the artistic side of lighting design with the technical requirements of energy efficiency and sustainability. As I moved into more senior roles, I had to learn how to make compromises that honoured both the design vision and the building’s energy goals. I overcame this by expanding my knowledge of lighting technology and sustainability standards, allowing me to make decisions that satisfied both.

How do you see your role evolving in the future, and what steps are you taking to prepare for those changes?
As the industry continues to evolve, I see my role shifting towards more strategic oversight and perhaps even further specialization in sustainability and energy-efficient design. To prepare, I’m continuing to pursue professional development courses, staying updated on the latest industry technologies, and focusing on building strong leadership and client relationship skills.