IES Now Accepting Submissions for 2019 Illumination Awards

January 21, 2019

The IES Illumination Awards program recognizes individuals for professionalism, ingenuity and originality in lighting design based on the individual merit of each entry. Judges are selected from a broad professional spectrum, representing knowledge of lighting and design excellence. 

The judging system is entirely based on how well the lighting design meets the program criteria. The Illumination Awards program is not a competition. 2019 marks the 46th anniversary of the IES lighting awards program.

The IES Illumination Awards comprise four parallel program categories:

  • Control Innovation Award, sponsored by the Lighting Controls Association. Advanced lighting control solutions can provide significant energy savings, flexibility and other benefits in buildings. This prestigious award recognizes good lighting projects that exemplify the effective use of lighting controls in nonresidential applications. Guidelines suggestive of what to include in your submission are available.
  • Illumination Award for Interior Lighting Design, sponsored by Edwin Guth. In 1902 Edwin F. Guth founded the St. Louis Brass Company and later renamed it the Edwin F. Guth Company. Mr. Guth’s profound creativity, entrepreneurialism and focus to improve interior lighting are partially represented through 147 patents awarded to him prior to his passing in 1962. This award recognizes exceptional interior lighting projects that balance the functional illumination of space with the artistic application of light to enhance the occupant’s experience.
  • Illumination Award for Outdoor Lighting Design, sponsored by Eaton. The Outdoor Lighting Design Award recognizes excellence in lighting design and application in all aspects of exterior lighting. The program celebrates achievements in aesthetics, applied technical acumen, creative solutions to demanding site conditions and advancements to the industry in outdoor lighting applications. The goal of the program is to further the understanding, knowledge and function of outdoor lighting as a critical aspect of the built environment.
  • Energy and Environmental Design Award. The Energy and Environmental Design Award recognizes quality lighting installations in commercial and industrial buildings that incorporate advanced energy-saving strategies and environmentally responsible solutions into the overall design.

Submissions began January 2, 2019. Find out more: www.ies.org/events/illumination-awards/.

Related Articles


Changing Scene


Design

  • Spotlights vs. Floodlights: Lighting & Application Explained

    Spotlights vs. Floodlights: Lighting & Application Explained

    Lighting selection is never as simple as choosing bright or cheap ones. Among the most commonly used outdoor and task lighting options are spotlights and floodlights. Choosing the wrong type can leave you with either a blinding glare or a dim disappointment. Spotlight is known for its precise focus, while floodlight stands out for its… Read More…

  • Beyond Illumination: Why Canadian Architects Now Design with Shadow

    Beyond Illumination: Why Canadian Architects Now Design with Shadow

    Canadian architecture is entering a new era where lighting is no longer defined by brightness alone. For decades, buildings were designed to eliminate shadows, replacing contrast with even illumination. That era is over. Today, architects are intentionally embracing shadow, designing spaces that feel more human, expressive, and immersive. This movement often referred to as beyond illumination… Read More…


New Products