What Visual Concepts Lighting, Inc. does

Visual Concepts Lighting, Inc. (VCL) is a San Diego-based, family-owned exterior lighting design and electrical engineering firm founded in 2004 by Ken Perez Sr. and Kenny Perez Jr. The firm provides three core professional services: Lighting Consultation, Conceptual Design and Photometric Analysis, and Electrical Engineering delivered through proprietary Electrical Construction Documents (EDWG). VCL serves architects, governmental agencies, property managers, developers, landscape architects, civil engineers, and utility consultants, with project-based engagements spanning commercial developments (including Snapdragon Stadium and Hotel Del Coronado), municipal parks and sports facilities, and luxury residential communities across Southern California.

VCL's underlying technical stack is built around AutoCAD-based drafting (notably deployed by AutoCAD Sr. Drafter Edouard Larzul), photometric analysis for code compliance, and 3D rendering capabilities. The firm's "Lighting Portraits" approach integrates aesthetic lighting design with municipal code compliance expertise, leveraging the leadership team's deep specialization in Title-24 outdoor lighting measures and authored municipal lighting ordinances for entities such as the Rancho Sante Fe Association and Roripaugh Ranch. DBE (U.S. DOT), MBE (NMSDC), and SBE (SANDAG) certifications position the firm for government and municipal contract work.

VCL operates a sales-led, project-based professional services model with custom quote-based pricing tied to project scope and complexity, and multi-year engagements that span from initial design concepts through final construction stages. The firm is privately held with no external funding, no subsidiaries, and no public financial disclosure; headcount sits in the 11-50 range with eight named team members spanning the Perez family, project management, electrical design, and lighting design roles. Customer acquisition relies on direct outreach, industry certifications enabling government contracts, and membership in the Building Industry Association (BIA) and Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), supplemented by a website, Instagram, and LinkedIn presence.

Name

Visual Concepts Lighting, Inc.

Legal name

Visual Concepts Lighting Inc.

Website

https://vcl-inc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Visual Concepts Lighting, Inc. is a family-owned San Diego firm providing exterior lighting design, photometric analysis, and electrical engineering services to architects, government agencies, developers, and property managers across Southern California since 2004.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Lighting Design Services

akta.pro primary industry

Lighting Design Services (BPAHAKAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Building Information Modeling (BIM) & Digital Design Services (BPAHAKAK)

Keywords

• Exterior lighting design
• Electrical engineering services
• Photometric analysis
• Title 24 compliance
• Lighting consultation

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Lighting Design and Engineering Services: Professional services revenue from providing outdoor lighting consultation, conceptual design, photometric analysis, and electrical engineering throughout the project lifecycle from initial design concepts to final construction stages.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Visual Concepts Lighting (VCL) is a professional services firm that delivers exterior lighting design, photometric analysis, and electrical engineering services for commercial, municipal, and residential projects across Southern California. Its offerings span Lighting Consultation, Conceptual Design with Photometric Analysis, and Electrical Engineering (EDWG) — translating conceptual lighting designs into precise Electrical Construction Documents that contractors can execute. The firm is also known for its signature "Lighting Portraits" approach to enhancing architectural features and landscapes.

Product overview

Visual Concepts Lighting (VCL) is a lighting design and electrical engineering firm serving Southern California since 2004. The company operates as a single unified service offering rather than a software platform. Their core services include Lighting Consultation, Conceptual Design and Photometric Analysis, and Electrical Engineering (EDWG). Their signature 'Lighting Portraits' approach distinguishes their work by creating outdoor lighting designs that enhance architectural features and landscapes. Services are provided to Commercial, Municipal, and Residential clients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Lighting Consultation Expert guidance on exterior lighting design that combines mastery of municipal codes and electrical engineering regulations to ensure legal compliance and sustainable, eco-friendly designs. Delivered to commercial, municipal, and residential clients across Southern California.
• Conceptual Design and Photometric Analysis Comprehensive guidance on illuminating projects, explaining the what, where, and why behind each choice, including concept lighting plans, photometric analysis, and detailed 3D renderings. Assesses sites to identify required lighting adjustments and ensure compliance with city-specific municipal codes.
• Electrical Engineering / EDWG Specialized translation of complex lighting designs into precise Electrical Construction Documents (EDWG), packing in all the information contractors require to set up lighting and electrical systems in an easy-to-read format.
• Lighting Portraits VCL's signature approach to exterior lighting design that creates outdoor "Lighting Portraits" expertly enhancing architectural features and landscapes, integrated with full engineering support from initial design concepts through final construction stages.

Quantifiable outcome

• Founded 2004, serving San Diego area for 20+ years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• NeriminorOthersLighting fixture manufacturer providing Colonnade Pendant Lanterns for the Vienza Winery project. VCL specifies Neri products as part of their lighting design implementations.
• SPJ LightingminorOthersLighting fixture manufacturer providing Tree Hanging Lanterns for the Vienza Winery project. VCL incorporates SPJ Lighting products into their outdoor lighting designs.
• Alliance Outdoor LightingminorOthersLow voltage lighting manufacturer supplying products for the Vienza Winery project. VCL integrates Alliance Outdoor Lighting products for ambient and accent lighting.
• Building Industry Association (BIA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry membership organization for building professionals. Provides networking opportunities and industry resources for VCL.
• Illuminating Engineering Society (IES)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional society for lighting professionals. VCL team members engage with IES for industry trends and best practices. Kenny Perez Jr. is active with the Illumination Engineering Society of North America.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• L'Observatoire International: Independent specialty lighting design firm with a global practice in architectural and exterior lighting. Comparable to VCL as a dedicated design studio competing for high-end commercial and developer-led commissions.
• One Lux Studio: Independent architectural lighting design firm serving commercial, hospitality, and exterior projects. Comparable to VCL as a focused design-only firm pursuing similar project types and client profiles.
• Horton Lees Brogden Lighting Design: Independent specialty lighting design firm with a national practice spanning architectural, exterior, and urban lighting. Comparable to VCL as a dedicated, design-only firm competing for the same architect- and developer-led engagements.
• Fisher Marantz Stone: Specialty lighting design firm known for exterior, civic, and high-profile architectural projects. Comparable to VCL in focus on complex exterior and municipal-grade commissions requiring photometric and code expertise.
• Cline Bettridge Bernstein Lighting Design: Specialty architectural lighting design firm serving museums, civic, commercial, and exterior projects. Comparable to VCL as a focused design practice competing for premium, code-sensitive lighting commissions.
• Lighting Design Alliance: California-based specialty lighting design firm providing architectural lighting services across commercial, civic, and hospitality projects. Most comparable to VCL by geography, size, and exterior/interior lighting mix.
• Tillotson Design Associates: Independent architectural lighting design firm with strong exterior and urban-scale portfolio. Comparable to VCL as a dedicated lighting specialist targeting similar architect and developer clients.

Broad incumbents

• Arup: Global engineering and design consultancy with a substantial lighting design practice embedded within its buildings group. Comparable to VCL on technical lighting scope, but operates as a broader multi-disciplinary incumbent that can bundle lighting with structural and MEP work.
• WSP: Global professional services firm with lighting design embedded within its buildings and MEP practices. Comparable to VCL on lighting and electrical-engineering services, but competes at much larger project scale as a diversified A&E incumbent.
• Buro Happold: International engineering consultancy with a lighting design practice integrated within its building services portfolio. Comparable to VCL on lighting scope, but competes primarily as a bundled A&E incumbent on larger commercial and civic projects.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/visual-concepts-lighting
• Instagraminstagram.com/visualconceptslighting

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Visual Concepts Lighting, Inc.