New Program Category Among Two IES Illumination Awards Updates
The IES has announced two changes to the IES Illumination Awards, beginning with the 2025 program: a new program category and a community-focused question. The introduction of the Experiential Design Award will recognize projects that use the design of lighting as art or for effect. Projects submitted in this category are themed or immersive environments, whether temporary, permanent, or seasonal. This new category has been sponsored by ETC, Inc. for the 2025, 2026, and 2027 program years.
The Experiential Design Award sponsored by ETC, Inc. joins the existing four parallel program categories created to recognize outstanding lighting design:
Illumination Award for Interior Lighting Design sponsored by Edwin F. Guth
Illumination Award for Outdoor Lighting Design
Control Innovation Award sponsored by LCA, a council within NEMA
Energy and Environmental Design Award.
During the awards submission process, a new Impact Statement will be asked and included in the judging of projects. Submitters will be asked to explain, “How does this project positively enhance or impact the community it is serving?” This additional scored question replaces the discretionary points judges could award to projects.
The IES Illumination Awards program recognizes individuals for professionalism, ingenuity, and originality in lighting design based on the individual merit of each entry and is not a competition. The judging system is based on how well the lighting design meets the program criteria. Judges are selected from a broad professional spectrum representing knowledge of lighting and design excellence.
Submissions for the 2025 IES Illumination Awards are currently open, and recipients will be honored during the IES Illumination Awards Gala in August during IES25: The Lighting Conference in Anaheim, CA. For more details, please visit https://ia.ies.org.
