LDI 2025: Meet The Speakers – Sloane Kolesar

Sloane Kolesar is a lighting designer and draftsperson with Lighting Design Group (LDG), a leading firm in television studio lighting design based in New York. He works primarily as assistant designer to LDG’s VP of Design, Dennis Size, supporting a wide range of broadcast projects. At LDI 2025, he participated on the panel "Lighting Good Morning America," with Dennis Size.

Live Design: Can you describe yourself in less than 50 words?

Sloane Kolesar: I’m a lighting designer and draftsperson who enjoys working with LDG, especially drafting and previz. Outside the studio, I’m happiest spending time with my fiancé and our dog, playing guitar, or hiking in nature.

LD: Please give a brief overview of your training/education/career path.

SK: I studied lighting design at the University of Florida, earning a BFA summa cum laude in 2022. My early training included an electrics apprenticeship with the Santa Fe Opera (2021) and work as a resident LD at Heartwood Soundstage in Gainesville, FL. After graduating, I joined LDG, first working at CNN as an ALD and now serving as a designer and draftsperson across multiple projects.

LD: Please describe your most recent project.

KS: My most recent project was the lighting redesign of Good Morning America at the Hudson Square Studios in NYC. I served as assistant lighting director, completing all drafting and paperwork and supporting Dennis Size throughout the process. The project combined an extensive moving-light package with a large LED video environment to create a highly flexible broadcast studio.

LD: What has been the biggest challenge of your career to date?
 
KS: Working at Heartwood Soundstage in Gainesville, FL was a significant challenge because I often had to make the most out of less-than-ideal situations. It taught me how to think on my feet and make quick, effective decisions.
 
LD: What is your advice for people just getting into the industry?
 
KS: Experience and learn everything you can. The lighting field is always evolving, and keeping up with new technology, practices, culture, and people will help you build strong roots for the future.