How can you stay up-to-date on the latest lighting design awards and recognition?

1 Follow reputable organizations and publications

One of the easiest ways to stay informed about the latest lighting design awards and recognition is to follow the websites, social media accounts and newsletters of reputable organizations and publications that host, sponsor or cover these events. Some of the most prominent ones include the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD), the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), the Lighting Design Awards, Architectural Lighting, and Lux Review. These sources will provide you with timely updates, announcements, winners, shortlists, criteria, jury comments, and photos of the award-winning projects.

3 Join professional networks and communities

A third way to stay up-to-date on the latest lighting design awards and recognition is to join professional networks and communities that connect you with other lighting designers, industry partners, clients, and media. These networks and communities can be online platforms, forums, groups, blogs, podcasts, or magazines that feature, review, or discuss lighting design projects, products, trends, and awards. Some of the most active and influential ones include the IALD Membership, the IES Membership, the Lighting Design Network, the Designing With Light Group, the Light Matters Podcast, and the LD+A Magazine. These networks and communities will help you to exchange ideas, feedback, opinions, insights, and opportunities with other lighting enthusiasts.

4 Explore online databases and galleries

A fourth way to stay up-to-date on the latest lighting design awards and recognition is to explore online databases and galleries that collect, archive, and display lighting design projects, products, and awards. These databases and galleries can be official websites of award organizations, publications, or events, or independent platforms that curate and showcase lighting design works from around the world. Some of the most comprehensive and diverse ones include the IALD Awards Gallery, the IES Awards Database, the Lighting Design Awards Archive, the darc awards Gallery, and the LIT Lighting Design Awards Gallery. These databases and galleries will allow you to browse, search, filter, and compare lighting design projects, products, and awards by various criteria, such as category, year, location, designer, client, and jury.

5 Experiment with new technologies and tools

A fifth way to stay up-to-date on the latest lighting design awards and recognition is to experiment with new technologies and tools that can enhance your lighting design skills, knowledge, and creativity. These technologies and tools can be software, hardware, or online services that help you to design, simulate, visualize, control, or communicate lighting effects, solutions, and concepts. Some of the most innovative and useful ones include Dialux, Relux, LumenRT, Philips Hue, and Lightact. These technologies and tools will enable you to create, test, and present lighting design projects that are more efficient, effective, and expressive.

6 Follow influential lighting designers and firms

A sixth way to stay up-to-date on the latest lighting design awards and recognition is to follow influential lighting designers and firms that have won, nominated, or judged these awards, or have created outstanding lighting design projects that have received acclaim, attention, or admiration. These lighting designers and firms can be found on their websites, portfolios, social media accounts, or blogs, where they share their works, stories, insights, and tips. Some of the most renowned and respected ones include Rogier van der Heide, Paul Marantz, Kaoru Mende, Speirs + Major, and Arup Lighting. These lighting designers and firms will inspire you to learn from their experience, vision, and style.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?