Primary concept in doing this is in making "Art."
Plot a function by way of design. From the
plot or expressed concept helps to make that art designed in a way of it and not function, but form makes it become.
Expeience in learning say not just what
fixture to use for a place in a
plot but why and how to use them over going creative or how in doing so didn't work out so well. Yea, a 6x9 anyone that has focused a few hundred of them can see in mids eye how in this new position it will do for this purpose. Could be a
wash or crappy dim area light. Still for that
focal length, knowing a 6x9 or 6x12 is experience based in seeing what it looks like.
A combination of living the
fixture and focusing them, learning from other designers in doing so and from there training yourself on what gear or how far you can go with your concepts when designing. Gotta experience lighting with the gear and design before you really have a other than at best computer design concept for how best to use it.
Sorry in if harsh the change around of inspiration and general advice to that of "design" real design that takes work - while still in school and trying to get out of school where one can graduate and get onto college studies for design - once basic high school is done. Read really good books - I'm prone to Gelette,
McCandless or Fuchs but have read many and have a big wealth or reading on the science. Can and have designed shows in the past - even with minor awards.
Get out of High School in time spent on general classes, than fight the battle of time in making art and productions produced verses grades overall. Literally, "History of China" as per class in college, more important to make the grade on now or get the show out the door will become a question for later. And later how what's learned in college in "History of China" as with other classes in school from High Shool to College Math to foreign languate, will help you later. That's college with the benefit of high school in making choices a few years from now I hope.
This helping to design is a High School choice in anyone that's been to High School and made such choices of getting out of it and getting onto career, verses "saving the show" or concept of being ready to make art yet. AT some
point I have failed at in times, I have saved shows to the detrement of my career in that school. I'm at least thinking while you might have mastered how to control the light board so far, it in design is a
bit more taking away to master design. This even if only helping the director do so.
Not yet ready even if good and great tech person. Just a caution in saving your rest of studies before getting too far into helping the design and making real art over studying for other classes it would probably require.
No matter how good now, later you will be better. Focus on what you learned and mastered now and don't take on more that will if you try it with intent will replace class studies in other stuff you should be knowing. In other words, focus on the fun and what you can master in High School, and concentrate on getting to college. Don't put too much effort in the show being done that I say is above skill
level, will hold you back in at least learning what not needed to know yet. Years ahead yet, design than. Learning now I just don't think that other than while sitting at the board and viewing it, giving frank advice is any better
role you can give. This in programming the cues and giving advice on what you see if wanted. Master that board for your first show,
See what's done and learn. Might be wrong but a caution of were I... what I might stick with.