Lighting the Path
SILHOUETTE AWARDS
As the third season of the Silhouette Awards comes to a close, two mentor/mentee pairings, Neha Sivaprasad and Margareth Sunjoto, and Veronika Mayerböck and Catrinel Sabaciag, reflect on their experiences together, and the value of such relationships.
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 winning mentees, each paired with one of the programme’s 20 dedicated mentors, have embarked on a journey that promises to shape their careers and the future of lighting design. Among these mentors is Neha Sivaprasad, an architectural lighting designer with more than two decades of experience and founder of Sol Light Studio in the San Francisco Bay Area. She was paired with Margareth Sunjoto, who had established herself at Studio 29 Lighting in London before founding her own consultancy, Studio 27sebelas. Sunjoto and Sivaprasad have found immense value in their mentor-mentee relationship, as they navigate the complexities of the industry together. Sunjoto and Sivaprasad share their experience on their mentor/mentee journey since the winning mentees were announced in February. Sunjoto said: “When I first applied for mentorship, I was in need of guidance to navigate a different environment. Neha, my mentor, kindly shared her extensive experience, not only in the design aspect but also in dealing with the industry, managing clients, and overseeing projects. She provided me with valuable insights, helping me understand and deal with the different nuances of the industry. “This journey has been a constant reminder not to give up on the things I am passionate about, and she continuously encourages me to use sketching as a tool to communicate and express my ideas. Her unwavering support and guidance have boosted my confidence too. Today, I feel more equipped to handle challenges and more confident in my abilities, all thanks to Neha and the Silhouette Awards.” Sivaprasad added: “When reviewing the Silhouette Awards applications, I was seeking someone who reminded me of my younger self – someone with 110 / 111
a spark in their eye, a curiosity in their heart, and a thirst for learning. I was delighted to be paired with my first-choice mentee. Mentoring Margareth has allowed me to share my experiences and offer her new perspectives on various situations. Our conversations, enriched by the parallels in our professional journeys despite being at different stages, have provided fresh insights for both of us. “As a mentor, I have strived to offer what I would have loved to have in the early stages of my career - someone who believes in you, believes you can do more, and boosts your confidence. Ultimately, it has been a rewarding journey for us both, and I hope to remain connected and possibly collaborate in the future.” 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. Sunjoto shares how the lighting community has helped her since winning the awards: “The lighting community is not just a platform for business connections or sharing knowledge. My Silhouette Awards journey shows the power of community. It’s heartwarming to experience the support and kindness from like-minded people worldwide, reminding me that there’s no need to be shy or afraid of making mistakes when starting to connect with others.” While Sivaprasad explains why she gives back to the community in her experience as a mentor: “The lighting community is small and now very interconnected globally thanks to the efforts of several groups, including the Silhouette Awards. This community is unique in that it has people from a very diverse range of professional backgrounds. This diversity enriches the community, fostering knowledge exchange, mutual support, and collaboration. Together, we have the potential to make significant contributions to the built environment and enhance the human experience through great lighting.”