What happens when a lighting designer who lit one of Chicago's most iconic public spaces sits down and reveals why the most powerful design tool isn't technology or talent—it's leading with heart, not ego?
In this episode of LytePOD, host Sam Koerbel sits down with Giulio Pedota, the lighting designer behind Chicago's stunning Riverwalk, for a rare, unfiltered conversation about what it really takes to build a career rooted in empathy, vulnerability, and the courage to design for people—not portfolios. This isn't a conversation about fixtures or photometrics. It's a deeply human look at the philosophy, humility, and emotional intelligence required to create spaces that serve everyone from local residents to global travelers, and why the best measure of success isn't the rendering or the award—it's whether people feel comfortable, safe, and seen.
Giulio reveals why arrogance lives in the ego, not the heart, why vulnerability is essential when architecture and technology become too complex to navigate alone, and why the best designers carry their mistakes with them—not as scars, but as lessons that build empathy and sharpen instinct. He walks through the uncomfortable truths: why 20 to 30 percent of a project is design and the rest is documentation and execution, why clients buy beautiful things first and functionality second, why fear is normal and means you're on the right track, and why the glass of water must be emptied before you can refill it—or risk burning out completely.
💡 Key topics explored:
• Why the lighting industry's moral compass—making the world a better place through people—guides every great designer
• How empathy and vulnerability live side by side—and why arrogance closes doors while openness invites collaboration
• The importance of building yourself from within: strengthening both the mind and the heart, where courage lives
• Why the Zen philosophy of emptying the glass matters—and how nature, swimming, and time off refill creativity and prevent burnout
• How to manage clients by reading their fears, negotiating timelines, and reassuring them with trust and clear communication
• Why the new generation inspires Giulio—and how they're equipped with more tools and a more sophisticated field to take lighting design forward
Whether you're a designer wondering how to lead with confidence without arrogance, a young professional trying to balance creativity and execution, or anyone curious about what it takes to build a career rooted in empathy, courage, and the relentless pursuit of making spaces better for people—this conversation offers a rare, honest look at the instincts, values, and human connections that define a life in lighting design.
Listen now to discover why great design isn't about ego or perfection—it's about empathy, vulnerability, and leading with heart.
❤️ Big appreciation for the partners who support this work and trust the vision. They believe in thoughtful conversations, strong community, and letting designers' voices lead. Grateful to build this together.
1️⃣ Mark Lighting - https://watch.lytei.com/mark
2️⃣ Kelvix - https://watch.lytei.com/Kelvix
3️⃣ LEDflex - https://watch.lytei.com/LEDFLEX
4️⃣ Diode LED - https://watch.lytei.com/diode
5️⃣ Targetti USA - https://bit.ly/targettiusa
Chapters
00:00:00 Opening: Leading from the Heart, Not the Ego
00:01:14 Sponsor Spotlight: Mark Architectural Linear
00:02:20 The Moral Compass of the Industry: Designing for People
00:09:19 Building Yourself from Within: Mind, Heart, and Courage
00:13:33 The Fundamentals Never Change: Thinking Beyond the Rules
00:15:27 Philip Stark's Rule: Every Room Needs One Thing That's Different
00:16:50 Designing the Chicago Riverwalk: Architecture, Humans, and Sustainability
00:23:19 Visual Comfort and Human-Centric Light: Beyond Tunable White
00:21:04 Sponsor Spotlight: Diode LED, Kelvix, and LED Flex
00:26:44 The Reality of Design: 30% Creation, 70% Documentation
00:29:26 Emptying the Glass: Finding Peace Under Water
00:32:55 Managing Clients and Their Fears: Negotiating Time and Trust
00:34:43 Sponsor Spotlight: Targetti USA
00:36:36 How Do You Know the Design Worked? Walking In and Seeing Harmony
00:37:26 When Mistakes Happen: The Knife in the Heart
00:40:46 Learning from Mistakes: Mockups, Labs, and Hidden Shadows
00:43:15 What's Left to Learn? Refining Everything, Always
00:45:35 Closing: Faith in the New Generation
