2026 Illumination Award Submittal Procedures
Step-by-step details for a successful entry
The Illumination Awards welcome entries from lighting professionals worldwide — IES
members and nonmembers alike. Manufacturers, IES staff, and IES Board of Directors
members are not eligible to submit.
Entry Requirements
- Project Completion Window: Must be finished within 24 months prior to January 1, 2026.
- Entry Frequency: A project may be entered once per category. Different areas of a single project (e.g., interior, exterior, or controls) may be entered separately with unique titles and separate entry fees.
- Anonymous Judging: All judging is conducted anonymously. Ensure your materials contain no names or branding that could identify your design team or manufacturer. Any reference or endorsement of a commercial product will result in disqualification. Proper names of places (for example, Waldorf Astoria, Verizon, or Target) are acceptable.
- File Format & Labeling: JPEG images only. Name files using the project title only — do not include designer or firm names.
- Ownership & Permissions: The lead lighting designer must inform the owner and all others involved that the project is being entered and may be published in LD+A. Owners may choose to withhold their name or project location for privacy.
What to Include in Your Submission
| Item | Details |
| Project Summary | Up to 300 words describing design intent, challenges, and community impact. |
| Images (max 10) | Photos, sketches, or renderings (JPEG, min 1024×768) Multiple images on one slide count individually Must show real project results if renderings are used |
| Image Narratives |
Up to 25 words per image |
| Optional Video | Up to 1 minute; no narration, sound, or text Video must be a mov, m4v or mp4 format Still images as a slide show are not accepted as a video and will be disqualified You may describe the video in up to 25 words in the video narrative |
Technical and Ethical Notes
- Digital manipulation, added lighting, or enhanced brightness/contrast are prohibited.
- Digital renderings are acceptable only when paired with photos of the completed installation.
- Any inclusion of designer, firm, or product names will result in disqualification.
- Submittals that focus solely on product images rather than installed design applications are not eligible.
Permissions and Reproduction
All entry materials, including photos and narratives, can be used without restriction by LD+A, the magazine of the IES. LD+A will have reproduction privileges of photographs and scripts without charge to the Society. IES may use the projects submitted to promote the Society’s programs and services.
Getting Started
Start Your Submission
FAQs
Contact Awards Team at: awards@ies.org