Andrew Dawson’s Conceptual Journey
Posted on February 4, 2025
Some of the best places we’ve ever been have never existed. They live, grow and breathe in that vast, timeless and endlessly beautiful place called the human imagination. By entering this wonderous universe, we open doors we didn’t even knew were there before, and travel along infinitely winding paths filled with indescribable possibilities.
Of course, we never return from this realm of imagination with anything that we can actually hold in our hands, but we do take something more valuable with us. It’s called inspiration, and in the end, that makes everything we create here in the “real world” brighter, bolder and better.

Lighting designers often document their journeys into this magical place by creating conceptual renderings. Fascinated by this process, we asked the well-known Toronto-based designer Adrew Dawson to share one of his recent exercises in conceptual rendering with us.
We were gripped by his work the moment we laid eyes on it. Taking place in an imaginary nuclear power plant, it presents a menacing postindustrial dystopian setting with its imposing towers and a DJ stage at its base. The unsettling imagery took our imagination in many unexpected directions … which, of course, is the whole purpose of conceptual design.

Why did you decide to create this concept? What inspired you?
“I started in theatre; storytelling has often been rooted as part of my design process. I wanted this concept to have a strong backstory that could guide every decision I made and answer the “why” behind each choice. I approached it with the idea of fusing storytelling with industrial elements, specifically for an electronic music stage.”
“I’m often inspired by nature and the haunting beauty of forgotten, decaying buildings. There’s something both eerie and calming about spaces that were once alive but are now abandoned, and how nature always finds a way back into them. This concept imagines what it would be like if such a building could tell its story—or be brought back to life through this design.”
Your power plant setting is powerfully evocative. Is this based on a real power plant?
“While this is not based on a specific real nuclear power plant, I took heavy influence from current, and past power plants. I designed the flown set pieces to be based on old turbines, they are flown at angles above the stage to create forced perspective and to represent the energy they once produced. I lined them with various fixtures to highlight the smaller details that might be missed such as all the bolts and gears, as well as to help tie in the big picture of the plant being brought back to life.”
“At the heart of the design are three towering structures that I see as pillars of energy. These are modeled after decaying smokestacks, with the tallest one, positioned behind the DJ, serving as the central focal point. The two outer towers are set at angles and slightly shorter, further adding to the scale of the main structure. The smokestacks are encased in an aged metal framework and have scenic lighting within them so they can stand out on their own during key moments. I wanted to be able to take a “less is more” approach for moments to signify the importance.”

So, what is the narrative story behind this concept design?
“A key part of this design for me was to have a story from start to finish. The building that the power plant stage sits in is a decommissioned power plant, giving a new life to the building again and further enhancing the idea. The stage is themed after what it once was, being the beacon representing its past in a new light.”
“At its core, my backstory unfolds as follows: Once powering a city with endless energy, the power plant was abandoned—until now. Its systems are reactivated, not to power machines, but to power unity in the crowd. The plant is brought back to life as a stage where music, light, and energy come together to create an immersive experience. The machines channel the energy of the show, while the audience’s excitement fuels the atmosphere, creating a shared, electric experience that connects the past to the present.”
Can you tell us where and when you did this? What design tool did you use?
“This design came together over the course of a few weeks, during time between real shows. I explored a few concepts that I ended up putting aside, or truthfully were scrapped until a main idea stuck with me. I used Capture 2024 to create the concept renders, and an always handy pen and paper to sketch out some early-on ideas.”
You described how the three smokestacks were the core element of this design. Are there any other defining features?
“Another feature to note is how the design evolves throughout the run of the show. Additional elements are revealed over time, showcasing the power plant’s ongoing growth and its ability to reinforce the story, and keep things fresh and exciting for the audience during the show.”

What did you learn from doing this?
“It’s okay to trust the process, sometimes it might feel like it’s going nowhere, but it’s alright to look at something from a new perspective, or change it completely. How my first version of this design originally started was completely different. Once ideas got flowing, and I pushed through that design block, it all came into place.”
How do you think doing this concept will influence you work in “real” design projects?
“Working on this concept has taught me new ways to experiment with unconventional ideas in designs, and to always look at an idea with a fresh perspective, to build on those story telling concepts.”
Do you think you’ll ever create this design in real life?
“I would absolutely love to bring this design to life if the opportunity arises. Even if it doesn’t sit in an actual decommissioned power plant, the idea of seeing this concept become a reality is something I’d never turn away from. Like all my concepts, I hold onto the hope that one day it could take shape in the real world!”