Clear Story
Clear Story is a Pittsburgh-based architectural lighting and artistic production firm founded in 2007 that designs dynamic LED, projection, and public-realm illumination systems for municipalities, cultural institutions, and commercial clients.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersPittsburgh, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Clear Story does
Clear Story is a Pittsburgh-headquartered professional-services firm founded in 2007 that delivers architectural lighting design and artistic production management for civic, cultural, and commercial clients. The company operates four integrated service lines: illumination design for the public realm (civic spaces, infrastructure, and transit-oriented developments), public-art activation design and implementation, artistic production management and museum services, and dynamic lighting and projection design. Its client base spans municipal agencies (City of Pittsburgh, East Liberty Transit Center), cultural institutions (Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, Andy Warhol Museum, Riverlife), enterprises (BNY Mellon, Highmark Health, Walnut Capital, Strada), and religious organizations (Memorial Park Church).
Technically, Clear Story builds and programs custom illumination systems rather than selling packaged software products. Its differentiators are dynamic LED lighting systems with programmable color-changing and animation capability, WiFi-enabled tablet control interfaces with wireless mesh networking for remote off-site programming, and custom 3D projection-mapping templates calibrated for building exteriors. Notable technical achievements include the Highmark Fifth Avenue Place spire redesign (75% energy reduction) and the Sister Bridges inaugural 'Observing Light' program animating Pittsburgh's river crossings. Demonstrated outcomes include 100,000+ visitors to the Portal Bridge installation and a production presented across 100+ venues in 20 countries.
Commercially, Clear Story runs on project-based professional-services engagement with custom, undisclosed pricing per engagement. The firm is privately held by founder Rob Long, with no disclosed institutional investment or funding rounds, and operates with a small nine-person team anchored at 2225 Mary Street, Pittsburgh. Go-to-market is sales-led direct client engagement concentrated in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area and Western Pennsylvania, supplemented by portfolio-driven inbound from the firm's website, industry-event participation (e.g., International Festival of Firsts), and earned-media recognition. Revenue is not publicly disclosed and growth signals are limited to ongoing project wins rather than headcount expansion or geographic buildout.
Clear Story firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Clear Story
- Legal name
- Clear Story
- Website
- https://clearstorycreative.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Clear Story is a Pittsburgh-based architectural lighting and artistic production firm founded in 2007 that designs dynamic LED, projection, and public-realm illumination systems for municipalities, cultural institutions, and commercial clients.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Clear Story industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Architectural Lighting Design Services
- NAICS
- Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71), Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (71151)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Lighting Design & Rental (MPAGAKAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Video/IMAG & LED Wall Production (MPAGAKAD), Large-Format & Spectaculars (Building Wraps, 3D, Landmarks) (BPAFALAH)
Keywords
Where Clear Story is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pittsburgh
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Clear Story business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Architectural Lighting Consulting: Professional consulting services for illumination design in architectural and public realm projects, including site lighting master plans and design specifications
- Public Art Production Management: Artistic production management services including advance planning, site selection, artist coordination, vendor oversight, fabrication management, permitting, technical logistics, and exhibition management
- Museum and Exhibition Services: Cultural institution support through coordination, design, and delivery of exhibitions, installations, and performance environments including video system integration and lighting design
- Dynamic Lighting and Projection Design: Design and implementation of immersive, time-based lighting and projection systems introducing movement, storytelling, and visual energy into built environments
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Clear Story product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Clear Story is a professional services firm providing client-centered architectural lighting consulting and artistic production management. The company delivers illumination design for civic spaces and public infrastructure, brings public artworks to life through lighting and technology, supports cultural institutions with exhibition and installation delivery, and creates immersive time-based lighting and projection systems for built environments.
Product overview
Clear Story is a professional services firm providing architectural lighting design and artistic production services, not a software or technology product company. The company operates as a single unified practice offering four integrated service lines: Illumination Design for the Public Realm, Public Art Activation Design & Implementation, Artistic Production Management & Museum Services, and Dynamic Lighting & Projection Design. These services are delivered through a team of artists, designers, and technicians who collaborate on client projects across civic spaces, museums, and public art installations. The company's work spans architectural lighting, public art activations, museum exhibitions, and technology-integrated lighting systems.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Illumination Design for the Public Realm Designing lighting to enhance and improve safety and experience in civic spaces, infrastructure, and public areas. Targeted at municipal governments, transit authorities, and public agencies responsible for architectural lighting in public infrastructure and civic landmarks.
- Public Art Activation Design & Implementation Developing and executing lighting and technology strategies that bring public artworks to life and deepen audience engagement. Serves public art commissions, cultural trusts, and arts organizations developing public-facing art installations and temporary activations.
- Artistic Production Management & Museum Services Supporting cultural institutions and artists through the coordination, design, and delivery of exhibitions, installations, and performance environments, including video system integration and lighting design. Serves museums, galleries, and cultural non-profits needing artistic production management and exhibition lighting services.
- Dynamic Lighting & Projection Design Creating immersive, time-based lighting and projection systems that introduce movement, storytelling, and visual energy into built environments. Includes programmable LED systems, projection mapping, and dynamic animation capabilities.
Quantifiable outcome
- 75% energy reduction achieved while introducing programmable color-changing effects and animation
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Clear Story
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Clear Story technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Clear Story partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
31 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- PWWG ArchitectsminorCollaboration on Memorial Park Church sanctuary lighting design for 2025 renovation.
- Rob Butorac Consulting EngineersminorEngineering consulting collaboration on Memorial Park Church sanctuary lighting project.
- Pittsburgh Downtown PartnershipminorCommissioned to transform Coffey Way into Shadow Gallery immersive public lighting installation featuring illuminated lightboxes and dynamic theatrical lighting.
- City of PittsburghcoreSister Bridges inaugural lighting program created by Rob Long and Clear Story team. Dynamic 'Observing Light' design animating iconic bridge architecture.
- Composer Wang LuminorLive orchestral performance collaboration for Manifold opening event at 2018 International Festival of Firsts.
- Digital Artist Filip RocacoreProjection mapping collaboration for Manifold installation. Clear Story created 3D mapping templates and supervised projection system deployment for building exterior.
- Pittsburgh Cultural TrustcoreProduction management for Rubber Duck first US appearance at 2013 Pittsburgh International Festival of Firsts. Comprehensive artistic production management including advance planning, site selection, artist coordination, fabrication oversight, permitting, technical logistics, launch choreography, and exhibition management.
- Dean Wareham & Britta PhillipsminorLive musical accompaniment collaboration for 13 Most Beautiful... theatrical cinematic concert featuring Andy Warhol screen tests.
- Byham TheaterminorWorld premiere venue for 13 Most Beautiful... production.
- StradacoreCollaboration on Sally's Path Light Park design at Bakery Square district, creating illuminated public space between commercial buildings with LED lighting generating fields of color and movement.
- Walnut Capital PartnerscorePartnership on Bakery Square 2.0 courtyard illumination at Google's expanded Pittsburgh headquarters. Collaboration on exterior courtyard design featuring custom wood bollards, light poles, and sustainable materials.
- Allen & ShariffminorEngineering and consulting collaboration on Bakery Square 2.0 project.
- ZGF ArchitectscoreCollaboration on The Assembly permanent exhibit design at former Ford assembly plant. Integrated lighting, interpretive displays, and curated artifacts for historical building and automobile artifacts.
- Andy Warhol MuseumcoreLong-standing collaboration including Scepter Studio Sessions full exhibition design featuring The Velvet Underground & Nico, and production support for 13 Most Beautiful... project.
- Carnegie Museums of PittsburghcoreCollaboration on Carnegie International exhibition services and DODO immersive theatrical adventure. Worked closely with curatorial and art installation teams extending their capacity.
- The Event GroupminorCommissioned to transform Phipps Conservatory space for Chihuly Gala 2007, creating abstract video installation and temporary color film installation.
- Bricolage Production CompanycoreLong-term collaboration on STRATA immersive theatre experience (2012) and DODO immersive theatrical adventure in partnership with Carnegie Museums.
- Lead Artist Riley HarmonminorCollaboration on STRATA immersive theatre experience with Bricolage Production Company.
- Waterfront (Homestead)minorMulti-point lighting system design for Homestead Grays Bridge illuminating bridge architecture for visitors to Waterfront shopping district.
- RiverlifecorePartner on multiple riverfront projects including Black Flowers mural lighting and Portal Bridge installation. Riverlife commissioned multiple lighting activations along Pittsburgh rivers.
- Office of Public ArtminorCollaboration with artist Camo on Black Flowers mural lighting support along with Riverlife.
- Highmark HealthcoreFifth Avenue Place spire lighting redesign reducing energy by 75% while introducing dynamic LED effects. Part of Highmark's Community Lighting Initiative serving as civic beacon.
- St. Nicholas Church (Millvale)minorOngoing mural lighting upgrades for Maxo Vanka murals with WiFi-enabled tablet control and wireless mesh network installation for tour programming.
- East Liberty Transit Center Project TeamcoreMember of ELTC project team responsible for conceptualizing and designing site lighting strategy for multi-modal transit-oriented development including plaza, pedestrian bridge, platforms, and bus facility.
- Eastside III Mixed Use DevelopmentminorSite lighting master plan design for Eastside III connected to East Liberty Transit Center project, demonstrating integrated urban planning.
- Artist IM Heung-soonminorCustom screen surfaces and display enclosures fabrication for Carnegie International.
- Artist Han KangminorCustom screen surfaces and display enclosures fabrication for Carnegie International.
- Artist Alex DaCorteminorVideo system design and installation for Carnegie International.
- Artist PostCommodityminorLighting design collaboration for Carnegie International.
- Artist Kerry James MarshallminorLighting design for Carnegie International exhibition.
- Artist Thaddeus MosleyminorLighting design for Carnegie International exhibition.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Clear Story competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Available Light: US theatrical and architectural lighting design firm serving performing arts venues, museums, and cultural institutions. Comparable to Clear Story given similar blend of architectural lighting, museum, and immersive theatrical production work.
- Electroland: Los Angeles-based public art and lighting design firm creating interactive, technology-driven installations for civic, corporate, and cultural clients. Highly comparable to Clear Story given the shared focus on immersive public art using lighting and projection.
- L'Observatoire International: International lighting design firm specializing in architectural and urban lighting for cultural institutions, public spaces, and high-profile developments. Closely comparable to Clear Story for civic, museum, and architectural lighting design commissions.
- Fisher Marantz Stone: Long-established architectural lighting design consultancy with a portfolio of landmark civic, museum, and urban-scale projects. Directly comparable to Clear Story for public-realm illumination, museum lighting, and heritage infrastructure commissions.
- Focus Lighting: New York-based architectural and theatrical lighting design firm serving museums, civic spaces, and entertainment venues. Closest direct comparable to Clear Story given overlapping service mix across architectural lighting, museum exhibition, and immersive installation work.
- HLB Lighting Design: Architectural lighting design consultancy with deep museum, hospitality, and civic portfolio. Comparable in service mix to Clear Story particularly for museum exhibitions and high-end architectural lighting commissions.
Broad incumbents
- Arup Lighting: Lighting design practice within global engineering firm Arup, serving large-scale infrastructure, buildings, and urban masterplans. Comparable to Clear Story for architectural and public-realm lighting, but operates as a much broader multidisciplinary incumbent.
Emerging players
- Meow Wolf: Immersive art experience company producing large-scale interactive installations with heavy lighting, projection, and multimedia integration. Comparable to Clear Story for immersive theatrical and museum exhibition design, though Meow Wolf is a much larger experiential entertainment operator.
- StandardVision: Large-scale LED media architecture and dynamic facade specialist working on stadiums, towers, and public art installations. Comparable to Clear Story on dynamic LED and projection mapping commissions for buildings and public spaces.
Regional players
- Bartenbach: Austrian-based lighting design and research firm specializing in architectural daylight and artificial lighting innovation. Comparable to Clear Story on architectural lighting design methodology, though primarily serving European markets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Clear Story social profiles
Digital presenceClear Story financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Clear Story leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Clear Story funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Clear Story M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Clear Story
What does Clear Story do?
Clear Story is a professional services firm providing client-centered architectural lighting consulting and artistic production management. The company delivers illumination design for civic spaces and public infrastructure, brings public artworks to life through lighting and technology, supports cultural institutions with exhibition and installation delivery, and creates immersive time-based lighting and projection systems for built environments.
Is Clear Story a public or private company?
Clear Story is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Clear Story founded?
Clear Story was founded in 2007. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Clear Story based?
Clear Story is headquartered in Pittsburgh, United States, in the North America region.
How does Clear Story make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Architectural Lighting Consulting is the primary driver. The others are public Art Production Management, museum and Exhibition Services and dynamic Lighting and Projection Design.
Who are Clear Story's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Available Light, Electroland, L'Observatoire International, Fisher Marantz Stone, Focus Lighting and HLB Lighting Design. Arup Lighting is listed as a broad incumbent. Emerging players are Meow Wolf and StandardVision. Bartenbach is listed as a regional player.
Does Clear Story have an API?
No public API is recorded for Clear Story.
What industry is Clear Story in?
Clear Story's product category is Architectural Lighting Design Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGAKAB, Lighting Design & Rental, with a secondary code of MPAGAKAD, Video/IMAG & LED Wall Production. Its NAICS code is 71 and its SIC code is 7812.