Illumination Awards
Who can submit to the Illumination Awards?
Last Updated: May 20, 2021Anyone (except manufacturers); IES members or nonmembers (with the exclusion of IES staff and IES Board of Directors), may enter a project for an Illumination Award. Agents may also submit.
What types of projects can be submitted to the Illumination Awards?
Last Updated: May 20, 2021Any permanent lighting installation can be submitted to the Illumination Awards. The installation must have been completed during the 24 months preceding the January program date listed.
How much does it cost to submit to the Illumination Awards?
Last Updated: May 20, 2021Illumination Award submissions fees can be found at the following link. Illumination Award submission fees are non-refundable.
Which IES Section should I submit my project to within the Illumination Awards program?
Last Updated: May 20, 2021Submitters should submit their projects to the local IES Section of the lead designer. If there is no active Section, the project should be submitted to the Section closest to the location of the lead designer.
Can I resubmit my projects to the Illumination Awards program if I did not receive an award for a previous submission?
Last Updated: May 20, 2021Projects may not be reentered to the Illumination Awards program if it has already been submitted and did not receive an award. All entries previously judged will be rejected. Projects may be reentered from a previous year if it is a different area of the project that has not already been judged.
Will my project be judged if my local Section is not listed on the Illumination Awards submission portal?
Last Updated: May 20, 2021If there is no active IES Section in your area, your project will still be accepted and entered for judging. Your project will be submitted to the nearest Section or the Section can be added to the portal. Contact mmeacham@ies.org for further assistance.
Are submitters allowed to revisit a previous submission, submitted to the Illumination Awards?
Last Updated: May 20, 2021Once the submission has been finalized and payment is made, submitters will no longer have access to their submission. Submitters should save their submission as a file document to access for future reference. A copy of the submission can be saved by clicking on “in-progress” or “in cart” in the Dashboard. There will be an...
Can submitters edit their project once it has been submitted to Illumination Awards program?
Last Updated: May 20, 2021The editing phase has been eliminated from the submission process. Once a project has been processed, modifications can no longer be made.
Is there a way to begin a second and third Illumination Award submission before finishing the first?
Last Updated: May 20, 2021During checkout, submitters will be prompted to complete the submission or start a new one. Different areas of the same project may be submitted as separate project entries (i.e., outdoor lighting, interior lighting, lighting controls, environmental & energy). Each of these entries must have their own distinguishable title and additional entry fee. Each of these...
Can the Interior Lighting Design Illumination Award submission category include residential projects?
Last Updated: May 20, 2021Interior design is for any interior project –– commercial or residential –– anything that is inside.
How will my Illumination Award project submission be judged?
Last Updated: May 20, 2021All judging is conducted ‘blind’ or anonymously using the program score sheets. Judges do not know any project details at any stage of judging.
Why did my project submission not receive an Illumination Award?
Last Updated: May 20, 2021Although IES cannot provide details about why submitters did not receive an award, you may refer to the submission tutorial and score sheets for judging criteria [ZIP 147KB]. You can also talk to your local Illumination Awards Section Chair about how you can improve your submission.
What is the process for international award recipients attending the Illumination Awards Gala?
Last Updated: May 20, 2021IES will provide the conference registration and award recipient letter to assist with visa arrangements. Unfortunately, this is the only form of assistance the IES will provide. IES is not responsible for completing any forms issued through the U.S. Department of State or Customs.
What forms of consent are required to submit to the Illumination Awards?
Last Updated: May 20, 2021IES may use the projects submitted to promote the Society’s programs and services. All entry materials including photos and narratives, can be used without restriction by LD+A, the magazine of the IES. The LD+A magazine will have reproduction privileges of photographs and scripts without charge to the Society. IES must inform the owner and all...
Can Illumination Award recipients order duplicate award certificates?
Last Updated: May 20, 2021Anyone may purchase a duplicate certificate. You may send your request to Marie Meacham, mmeacham@ies.org.
How do I complete my Section Chair Processing for the Illumination Awards program?
Last Updated: May 20, 2021View the Section Chair Processing
I’m a Section Awards Chair and my Section is not listed on the Illumination Awards submission site. What should I do?
Last Updated: May 20, 2021Contact mmeacham@ies.org for further assistance.
Can Illumination Award Section Chairs make edits to projects?
Last Updated: May 20, 2021Section Chairs are not permitted to make any changes to submissions. Submitters can make changes before submitting their project. The editing phase has been eliminated from the submission process and once a project has been processed, modifications can no longer be made.
Are Illumination Award Section Chairs allowed to revisit a completed submission at a later date?
Last Updated: May 20, 2021Once Section Chair Processing has ended, Section Chairs can no longer view submissions submitted to their Section.
Can an Illumination Awards Section Chair download submitted projects, photos and videos for Section Judging as opposed to using the online portal to view all projects?
Last Updated: May 20, 2021You can download a project for viewing purposes, but judging will take place directly on the portal.
How do I complete my Online Merit Judging for the Illumination Awards program?
Last Updated: May 20, 2021View the Online Merit Judging tutorial.