Meet the Owners

Aerin Thomson is a Principal and Lighting Application Specialist at Electric Rose Lighting Design, where she fuses artistic vision with technical rigor to deliver lighting environments that are visually compelling, code-compliant, and architecturally sound. With more than two decades of experience in architectural lighting, she is recognized for her expertise in photometric analysis, lighting controls, and comprehensive electrical documentation that support complex commercial, hospitality, and civic projects. Aerin’s professional foundation in drafting and engineering graphics, combined with early experience at a lighting manufacturer’s representative firm, shaped her distinctive perspective at the intersection of design intent, performance, and constructability. Today, she leads design strategy at Electric Rose, working closely with architects, interior designers, engineers, and contractors to develop lighting solutions that enhance the built environment and align seamlessly with project goals. Rooted in the Carolina foothills with her family, Aerin draws inspiration from the relationship between light, human experience, and place. Her leadership—strengthened by the complementary expertise of business partner Ann Watson—advances Electric Rose’s mission to deliver intelligent, client-centered lighting design that transforms architecture with clarity and intention. Electric Rose was founded in memory of Aerin’s grandparents, whose influence shaped the belief that nature perfected the rose by uniting art and science—form, structure, geometry, and beauty. That same philosophy guides the firm’s work: to shape light with intention, ensuring it elevates every space and shines with purpose.

Ann Watson, LC, is a Principal at Electric Rose Lighting Design and a Lighting Certified professional through the NCQLP. She blends technical expertise in electrical distribution with a designer’s eye for form and spatial experience, grounded in her early studies in interior design and her belief that lighting is a defining element of architecture—not a decorative afterthought. Before joining Electric Rose, Ann founded and led a specification sales design studio within a major lighting agency, bridging manufacturer capabilities with architectural vision. Her work across commercial, civic, and institutional sectors is known for being visually compelling, meticulously coordinated, and feasible to construct. Recognized as a collaborative problem-solver, Ann excels at navigating schedules, budgets, and code requirements. Architects, engineers, and project managers throughout the Carolinas rely on her ability to translate design intent into integrated lighting strategies that enhance project outcomes and endure over time. She is an active member of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and CREW Upstate South Carolina, maintaining strong ties to the design and commercial real estate communities. Based in South Carolina, Ann enjoys time outdoors and bird hunting with her black lab, Boone, while her family maintains a spirited Gamecock–Clemson rivalry at home. Ann’s expertise strengthens Electric Rose’s capabilities, elevating the firm’s technical rigor, design intelligence, and reputation as a trusted lighting partner across the region.