U of C Edward H. Levi Hall Portal, Photo by Tom Rossiter
What does it mean to leave a legacy? At Gwen Grossman Lighting Design, our focus is on the future of our designs: Who will experience and benefit from them? For how many decades will we light the path of those who come after us? It's questions like these that keep our designs human-centric, adaptable, and memorable, long after we've moved on to the next.
But legacy doesn’t only apply to our project approach – it’s part of our DNA as a company, concluding our five tenets: Innovation, Artistry, Collaboration, Excellence, and Legacy. We continually focus on how our existing legacy affects our current team of designers, as well as how it will evolve with those who come after. And it’s our founder Gwen Grossman’s long-standing passion for mentorship and team-building that has allowed the company to arrive where it is today.
But legacy doesn’t only apply to our project approach – it’s part of our DNA as a company, concluding our five tenets: Innovation, Artistry, Collaboration, Excellence, and Legacy. We continually focus on how our existing legacy affects our current team of designers, as well as how it will evolve with those who come after. And it’s our founder Gwen Grossman’s long-standing passion for mentorship and team-building that has allowed the company to arrive where it is today.
At GGLD, our focus is on the future of our designs: Who will experience and benefit from them? For how many decades will we light the path of those who come after us?
Tempo Hilton Nashville, Photo by TCS Photography
The First Glimmers
Like any company, GGLD had to start somewhere. The firm began when Gwen Grossman decided to strike out on her own into the world of lighting design. Though she had worked for 15 years in the industry, moving her way up the ranks of other firms, Grossman had little more than her name to carry her into her solo practice. After leading large projects in her previous positions, this almost felt like taking a step backward.
But Grossman’s focus on building relationships – from the architects and interior designers she worked with, to her own employees – turned out to be the key to establishing a successful firm. In fact, what started as just a name became a collaboration much bigger than Grossman herself: a highly functional team well-versed in creating human-centric designs in a huge variety of spaces.
Perhaps most importantly, Grossman quickly found herself in a position of leadership – not only as the founder of a firm, but as a teacher and mentor to the younger designers she employed. This new dynamic – a notable change after a career spent working for others – ultimately sparked a passion for education and mentorship in Grossman that has flourished since GGLD’s founding 15 years ago.
But Grossman’s focus on building relationships – from the architects and interior designers she worked with, to her own employees – turned out to be the key to establishing a successful firm. In fact, what started as just a name became a collaboration much bigger than Grossman herself: a highly functional team well-versed in creating human-centric designs in a huge variety of spaces.
Perhaps most importantly, Grossman quickly found herself in a position of leadership – not only as the founder of a firm, but as a teacher and mentor to the younger designers she employed. This new dynamic – a notable change after a career spent working for others – ultimately sparked a passion for education and mentorship in Grossman that has flourished since GGLD’s founding 15 years ago.
Science of Spirituality
Taking a Shine to It
This leadership mindset has become integral to Grossman’s practice. By focusing not only on the caliber of her company’s projects – even as they grow in scope and public reception – but also on building relationships among team members, Grossman fosters a generational pattern of mentorship. Younger designers taught by Grossman go on to become teachers themselves, strengthening the interpersonal culture of the company.
But this network of support and education wasn’t necessarily the obvious path. Grossman recounts how learning about her own capacity for generosity and compassion have not only made her a better teacher – they’ve made her a better boss. “When I opened the firm,” she says, “I didn’t know I’d have to learn so much about myself.” Fifteen years in, she believes effective collaboration is the result of a team that helps each other through challenges, both personal and professional.
At GGLD, lighting designers are taught to think on their feet, whether they’re pitching a project to the client or installing fixtures onsite. “There’s always more than one way of doing things,” Grossman continues. “Part of a legacy is being an innovator, not just repeating.” Sometimes that involves taking a step backward to go forward, like when a client needs an idea reframed in order to understand. This mindset also encapsulates the journey of GGLD as a firm – what once felt like a step back in Grossman’s career was actually the move that would ultimately bring her farther down the road.
But this network of support and education wasn’t necessarily the obvious path. Grossman recounts how learning about her own capacity for generosity and compassion have not only made her a better teacher – they’ve made her a better boss. “When I opened the firm,” she says, “I didn’t know I’d have to learn so much about myself.” Fifteen years in, she believes effective collaboration is the result of a team that helps each other through challenges, both personal and professional.
At GGLD, lighting designers are taught to think on their feet, whether they’re pitching a project to the client or installing fixtures onsite. “There’s always more than one way of doing things,” Grossman continues. “Part of a legacy is being an innovator, not just repeating.” Sometimes that involves taking a step backward to go forward, like when a client needs an idea reframed in order to understand. This mindset also encapsulates the journey of GGLD as a firm – what once felt like a step back in Grossman’s career was actually the move that would ultimately bring her farther down the road.
There’s always more than one way of doing things...Part of a legacy is being an innovator, not just repeating.
North Shore Congregation Israel, Photo by Darris Lee Harris
Still Glowing Strong
After 15 years spent establishing itself in the world of lighting design, GGLD is looking forward to the next chapter. Whatever the future holds, our team’s goal remains the same: to create a community of lighting designers who forward the craft in the public eye by bringing their expertise to each and every project.
By introducing young professionals into the field, Grossman – and GGLD as a whole – is paving the way for future generations of lighting designers, who will innovate beyond what we can imagine today.
As its projects grow, GGLD remains rooted in the same tenets it held from the beginning. By creating a culture that prioritizes building foundational, long-lasting relationships in the industry, the firm has grown far beyond the Gwen Grossman name, leaving a signature all its own. More than anything else, it is this legacy of teamwork and collaboration that GGLD will carry into its bright future.
By introducing young professionals into the field, Grossman – and GGLD as a whole – is paving the way for future generations of lighting designers, who will innovate beyond what we can imagine today.
As its projects grow, GGLD remains rooted in the same tenets it held from the beginning. By creating a culture that prioritizes building foundational, long-lasting relationships in the industry, the firm has grown far beyond the Gwen Grossman name, leaving a signature all its own. More than anything else, it is this legacy of teamwork and collaboration that GGLD will carry into its bright future.
225 W. Washington, Photo by Christopher Barrett