SOPHIE WAGHORN ARCHITECTURAL MODELER LIGHTING DESIGNER DRAFTSPERSON
I'm Sophie Waghorn, an architectural modeler, lighting designer, and draftsperson currently working as CAD Designer at Frost Florida, where I use Vectorworks to create accurate 3D event models.
I grew up in Wellington, New Zealand. I discovered early on that I had no interest in being on stage, but a deep love for what happens behind the scenes. At 13, I moved to Oregon and joined the lighting crew at Summit High School Theatre Company, spending most of my high school years up in catwalks. Over those years I worked with several companies, including Cascade Theatre Company, Thoroughly Modern Productions, and BEAT Children's Theatre.
In 2021, I moved to Savannah, Georgia to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design, where I majored in Production Design with a concentration in Lighting Design and a minor in Film and Television. There I gained hands-on experience across both theatrical and film productions; collaborating with my professors, professional lighting designers, and students across disciplines; from scenic and sound design, to fashion, animation and game design. Working alongside creatives with such different perspectives sharpened my ability to communicate across departments and contribute meaningfully to a shared vision.
During school, I also worked as an assistant preschool teacher at Eli's Place in downtown Savannah, caring for children aged two months through pre-K. Managing a classroom while juggling a full design course load taught me patience, adaptability, and a calm approach to problem-solving under pressure, skills that follow me into every project I take on.
I began learning Vectorworks in April 2024. Starting with 2D drafting packets, I quickly progressed to 3D modeling, including a full model of SCAD's Lucas Theatre, built from my own on-site measurements and drafted to scale. My goal was to create a resource future students could use for previsualization. I put that model to work the following quarter for my thesis; SCAD’s production of The Drowsy Chaperone.
Before graduating, I was hired by Frost Florida as their CAD Designer. In this role, I collaborate with sales managers, department heads, and clients to produce detailed multi-page PDF event packets, giving every department a clear visual reference to coordinate effectively on site. I take pride in delivering packets that are accurate, well-organized, and polished enough to reflect well on every department involved.