In lighting design, what does texture refer to?

In lighting design, texture refers to the way light interacts with the surfaces in a scene. This encompasses how light reveals the qualities of various materials, such as their contours, patterns, and overall appearance. By manipulating texture through lighting, designers can enhance or diminish certain features of the stage, create depth, and facilitate storytelling by guiding the audience’s focus to specific elements within the performance space.

Understanding texture is crucial for effective lighting design, as it allows designers to create a visually rich environment that supports the narrative and mood. It involves not just the light itself but how that light is affected by the surfaces it illuminates, highlighting features such as grain in wood, the sheen of metal, or the softness of fabrics.