The beginning of 2024 marked an inspiring moment in the lighting industry, as 20 emerging talents were honoured in the third annual Silhouette Awards. These winners, each paired with one of the program’s 20 dedicated mentors, embarked on a journey that promised to shape their careers and the future of lighting design.
Among these mentors was Carla Jardim, a Brazilian lighting designer with a background in Architecture and Urban Planning & MA in Exhibition Design, which led her to pursue studies and a career in Lighting design. Carla is also part of the Board Member of the IALD German Chapter and part of the Professional Association of Lighting Designers (APDI) from Spain.
Carla was paired with Mashaaraa Bhatia, whose fascination with light began while studying architecture in Chandigarh, Corbusier’s ode to light and shadow. After working as an architect for a few years, Mashaaraa left her job to delve into the practical side of lighting in India. In her quest for knowledge, she ventured to Stockholm, where she pursued a master’s degree at KTH Royal Institute of Technology. Since her time in Stockholm, Mashaaraa has worked in various lighting firms in India and UAE. Her multi-faceted experience in lighting via consultancy, supply, teaching, and research gives her a firmly well-rounded approach.
Carla and Mashaaraa discuss their shared experience since the award winners were announced in February. Mashaaraa said, “We began with the goal of rekindling my passion for lighting. Carla guided me by sharing her experiences, struggles, and motivations, revealing how similar yet wiser and more knowledgeable she was. Her mentorship has been invaluable, helping me understand my disconnect from the field and reigniting my enthusiasm. Our discussions on staying connected to the lighting community sparked new ideas and ambitions beyond my job. Together, we’ve developed a proposal for a light festival in Chandigarh, a project I envisioned in my 2019 master’s thesis. With Carla’s structured approach and deadlines, we’ve brought the proposal to a credible format. I’m deeply grateful to Carla and the Silhouette Awards for reigniting my passion.”
Mashaaraa Bhatia_Light festival poster
The pair have found immense value in working together and explaining how mentorship can benefit those who are applying for the next season of the awards. Carla said, “When I applied to become a mentor, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the program. Reflecting on the mentors throughout my career, I wanted to give back to the lighting community. My mentorship journey with Mashaaraa turned into a beautiful exchange of creative conversations and a rich learning experience for both of us. By guiding and supporting her, I came to know her well and saw her accomplish her goals. Active listening was crucial, keeping us both motivated and unlocking new horizons. She had clear ideas that just needed polishing. It has been a privilege to see her flourish. The beauty of this process has been our mutual growth and collaboration. Mentoring, indeed, is a nurturing process.”
The beauty of the Silhouette Awards is the way that it brings members of the lighting community together to inspire, encourage and support one another. Mashaaraa shares her experience within the lighting community since winning the awards, “In the lighting community, our passion drives us, but it needs nurturing. As a lighting designer working remotely for over four years, I find that fellow designers best understand and support each other. Our tight-knit community serves as a valuable resource of experiences, opportunities, and knowledge. My Silhouette journey transformed me from nearly quitting to feeling validated and connected to my profession. Mentorship, in its various forms, supports growth. The Silhouette Awards uniquely aid young lighting designers.”
Carla solidifies her experience by sharing her words of wisdom for those applying to the Silhouette Awards in the future, “The Silhouette Awards offer a fantastic opportunity for young designers to grow, learn, and connect with the lighting community. Believe in your vision and don’t be afraid to share it with others. Embrace the journey, stay curious, and let your creativity guide you. Share your passion with those who can support you.”
The Silhouette Awards also brought together mentor-mentee pairing Daniela Viloria Garcia and Cristina Maricela Cornejo Mejia. Daniela is a Board Member of the Professional Association of Lighting Designers (APDI) and runs her own professional project: Dany Viloria Design Consulting. Cristina studied architecture in El Salvador and completed her degree in 2012. In 2014, she joined the family electrical design and construction business, which led her to find a place as an architect in the lighting field. Her father was her first teacher in lighting – learning the valuable technical aspects of it from him. She has since developed lighting projects in Central America for a wide range of sectors.
Cristina shares her experience as a participant in the Silhouette Awards and what the mentorship journey means to her, “My mentorship journey began with the ambition to establish myself as an international lighting professional. After seven years of designing lighting within the family business, I sought to deepen my expertise at KTH. As I explored career paths in the U.S., Europe, and El Salvador, I faced a pivotal decision: remain with the family business or build my own brand. My current focus is on crafting a business plan that aligns with my values and lifestyle, paving the way for growth and international expansion. This evolving path is more than a career move; it is a commitment to building a legacy as a woman in lighting that reflects my vision and ongoing journey of personal and professional development.”
She speaks about how the lighting community has inspired her during this time, “The lighting community expands your vision and enriches your understanding. By exploring its many facets, you gain access to diverse perspectives and innovative ideas. Connecting with this network inspires fresh approaches and broadens your creative horizons, helping you see and harness illumination in transformative ways.”
The Silhouette Awards experience has been life-changing. So much so that Cristina shares her words of wisdom with other young designers who are thinking of applying to the next season of the awards: “Joining the Silhouette Awards community offers meaningful mentorship and support. By connecting with seasoned professionals, you’ll gain invaluable guidance to navigate your career in lighting and enrich other areas of your life.”
The 24-25 season of the Silhouette Awards programme is now underway, and the team are excited to see new mentor-mentee collaborations come together and develop into successful pairings in the lighting industry.
The Silhouette Awards is a collaboration between Archifos and Parrot PR and Marketing.