As the lighting community continues exploring the connections between spectral science and everyday practice, the IES is offering two timely learning opportunities that bridge research and real-world application. From a comprehensive look at how different wavelengths shape human perception, biology, and design, to a practical, evidence-based deep dive into residential illumination, these sessions will equip professionals with the knowledge needed to enhance both human health and the built environment.
This two-day virtual symposium, from April 29 to April 30, 2026, will examine the science and stories behind the light used every day. While some sessions focus on specific wavelength ranges from ultraviolet to infrared, others step back to explore how the spectrum functions as a whole, shaping perception, biology, and design decisions. Presentations will include:
Ultraviolet: germicidal UV implementation, and blacklight in performance and art
Violet: the edge of perception and the short-wavelength influence on alertness and circadian rhythm
Blue: non-visual effects of light, melanopic content, and balancing circadian support with comfort
Green: spectrum tuning and lime LEDs, photosynthesis and the perception of white light
Yellow: amber light, skyglow, and ecological considerations for flora and fauna
Orange/Red: red and near-infrared light in therapy and wellness applications, TM30 hue bin 1 and beyond, and the psychology of warmth and perception in hospitality.
Participants receive 8 CEUs plus a unique Understanding Color bundle of IES standards (TM-30-24, LP-30-25, and LS-5-25), as well as archive access to the entire program. For more information, visit https://ies.org/events/light-for-life-home/.
This in-depth webinar will be held on May 28 and offers residential designers, architects, and remodeling professionals a research-backed look at how to create kitchens that are both beautiful and properly illuminated. The session, worth one IES CEU, addresses a persistent industry challenge: Most American homes remain dramatically underlit, and building codes do little to improve the situation.
Presenting the session is Doug Walter (pictured), AIA, CMKBD, a Denver-based architect with 46 years of experience in residential remodeling and a national reputation for his work in lighting and daylighting. Informed by over a decade of original research and volunteer work with both the IES and the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), Walter will break down the inconsistencies and misconceptions that have long shaped kitchen lighting practices. His presentation features real-world case studies from award-winning kitchens nationwide, illustrating practical interventions that improve both the quality and quantity of light.
Attendees will explore a wide range of lighting strategies—from simple lamp replacements to more-advanced techniques such as indirect lighting, in-cabinet and toe-kick lighting, valance and surface lighting, backlit slabs, recessed lighting layouts, and ways to enhance natural daylight. These approaches share a common goal: creating spaces with more usable illumination while reducing glare and improving energy efficiency.
The webinar will also introduce a low-cost demonstration kit that designers can assemble for under $100. Comprising a clamp-on light holder and an assortment of lamps with varying lumen outputs, beams, sizes, and color temperatures, the kit allows clients to experience lighting options before permanent installation—making it easier to make informed choices early in the design process.
With wellness emerging as a major frontier in residential lighting, Walter will highlight research from healthcare and educational settings, exploring new adjustable lighting products designed to better support circadian rhythms and overall human health. Attendees will also gain guidance aligned with NKBA’s latest design guidelines and IES recommended practices (RP11 and RP28), helping them deliver optimal illumination across a range of budgets, ceiling heights, and renovation scopes.
Registration is free for IES Members and $29 for non-members; and registration closes May 28, 2026, at 12 p.m. ET.