Call for Entries: 36th Annual IALD International Lighting Design Awards

FINAL ENTRY DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO NOV. 19, 2018

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The International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) is now accepting project entries for its 36th International Lighting Design Awards. The early entry deadline is Oct. 2, 2018, 11:59 P.M. CST, and the final entry deadline HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO NOV. 19, 2018 is Nov. 5, 2018, 11:59 P.M. CST. Entries are only accepted via the online submission site.

“The IALD Awards program is designed to elevate the profile of lighting designers by recognizing exceptional architectural lighting design around the globe,” said David Ghatan, current IALD President, in a prepared statement. “Projects that win IALD Awards are remarkable examples of the many ways in which users experience spaces—as a result of lighting and of the visual atmospheres created by quality designs.”

The awards program is for architectural lighting design. While anyone may enter a project, awards will only be given to the team or teams that were responsible for the “…design of the architectural lighting for the project.” Entries must be work for “…a permanent architectural lighting design solution for which construction was completed after June 1, 2017.” Projects previously submitted can be re-entered so long as they still meet the date eligibility criteria.

The IALD encourages project entries “of all types and sizes.” The program does not have a defined number of awards that are bestowed. Projects evaluations use a point system to determine award level—Awards of Excellence and Awards of Merit. Special Citations are awarded at the discretion of the jury, which is comprised of lighting design and architecture professionals, as are projects for the Sustainable Design Award category. The program’s highest honor is the Radiance Award, which is selected from the projects who have earned the Award of Excellence distinction and “…is judged among all submittals to be the finest example of lighting design excellence (based on the highest point score).”

Entry fees are as follows:

  • IALD Member rates: Early deadline: $90.00 (U.S.) per project; Final entry: $140.00 (U.S.)
  • Non-IALD member rates: Early deadline: $190.00 (U.S.) per project; Final entry: $240.00 (U.S.)


“We encourage projects of all sizes and scopes to enter,” said IALD Awards Chairperson Morgan Gabler. “What matters is that your project has a compelling story and makes a powerful impact on a space.”

The award-winning projects will be announced on Wednesday, May 22, 2019, during the 2019 IALD Education Trust Benefit Dinner and 36th Annual IALD International Lighting Design Awards Presentation in Philadelphia, held during Lightfair.

Send all questions regarding the IALD Awards programs to awards@iald.org or contact Kevin Wolfe, Senior Marketing and Communications Coordinator, at 312-527-3677.

About the Author

Elizabeth Donoff

Elizabeth Donoff is Editor-at-Large of Architectural Lighting (AL). She served as Editor-in-Chief from 2006 to 2017. She joined the editorial team in 2003 and is a leading voice in the lighting community speaking at industry events such as Lightfair and the International Association of Lighting Designers Annual Enlighten Conference, and has twice served as a judge for the Illuminating Engineering Society New York City Section’s (IESNYC) Lumen Award program. In 2009, she received the Brilliance Award from the IESNYC for dedicated service and contribution to the New York City lighting community. Over the past 11 years, under her editorial direction, Architectural Lighting has received a number of prestigious B2B journalism awards. In 2017, Architectural Lighting was a Top Ten Finalist for Magazine of the Year from the American Society of Business Publication Editors' AZBEE Awards. In 2016, Donoff received the Jesse H. Neal Award for her Editor’s Comments in the category of Best Commentary/Blog, and in 2015, AL received a Jesse H. Neal Award for Best Media Brand (Overall Editorial Excellence).Prior to her entry into design journalism, Donoff worked in New York City architectural offices including FXFowle where she was part of the project teams for the Reuters Building at Three Times Square and the New York Times Headquarters. She is a graduate of Bates College in Lewiston, Me., and she earned her Master of Architecture degree from the School of Architecture at Washington University in St. Louis.

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