The Award is open to designers, architects, lighting professionals, artists, manufacturers, brands, studios, and students worldwide. Participants may enter individually or as part of a team, provided they meet the eligibility requirements and have the necessary rights or authorizations to submit the project.

The D’Light Lighting Design Award features four main categories:

• Lighting Project Design: Realized lighting projects in residential, commercial, hospitality, cultural, public, retail, landscape, and entertainment environments.

• Lighting Product Design: Luminaires, lighting systems, portable lights, smart lighting products, and sustainable or bespoke lighting solutions.

• Art and Installation Light: Artistic, interactive, immersive, kinetic, sculptural, and experimental works created with light.

• AI-Assisted Lighting Design: Projects developed with meaningful human creative input and the assistance of AI tools, in accordance with the award’s AI policy.

Select the category that best represents the nature of your work and review the relevant subcategories before submitting.

To submit a project, create an account on the official D’Light Award website and sign in to your dashboard. Complete the nomination form, select the appropriate category, provide the required project information, upload your visual materials, and complete the applicable payment process. Review all details carefully before finalizing your submission.

Each project must be submitted separately. Please consult the official submission guidelines to ensure your entry meets all technical and eligibility requirements.

Each entry requires 3–6 project images in JPEG or PNG format, with a minimum width of 2,000 pixels and a maximum file size of 5 MB per image. A project description of 500–1,000 characters in English is also required. Participants may optionally provide a video in MP4 format (up to 20 MB) and a single PDF containing supporting materials such as drawings, sketches, or plans (up to 10 MB).

Submitted images must not contain names, logos, signatures, or watermarks that could identify the entrant during the anonymous judging process.

Each project must be submitted separately. Please consult the official submission guidelines to ensure your entry meets all technical and eligibility requirements.

Projects completed or launched within the last five years are eligible. Conceptual and prototype works are also accepted.

Yes. Participants may submit multiple projects, and each project must be entered separately through the official submission platform. Under the bulk submission offer, participants who submit three paid entries may receive one additional entry free of charge. To arrange the offer, please contact [email protected].

Entry fees depend on the participant type and registration period. Student rates are available to eligible students, while professionals, studios, and brands are subject to professional entry fees. Payments can be made through Ziina or by invoice, subject to the applicable payment arrangements. Please consult the official Fees & Dates page for the relevant rates and deadlines.

Absolutely. Just designate one main contact for communication and credits.

Yes. Participants retain ownership and copyright of their submitted work. By entering the award, they grant the organizer a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use submitted materials for award-related publications, exhibitions, press communications, and promotional activities, with appropriate credit to the creators.

Yes. Reduced entry fees apply, and schools can join the Campus Ambassador Program for free codes.

For questions or assistance:
✉️ [email protected]

Jury Feedback Report (PDF) – AED 150 (≈USD 41)

Participants obtain a detailed, constructive feedback report from the judging panel, helping them refine their project or future submissions.

Projects are evaluated by an international Grand Jury with expertise in lighting design, architecture, art, design, and related fields. The evaluation considers innovation and creativity, aesthetic impact, functionality and usability, sustainability and responsibility, technical excellence, and contextual relevance. Submissions are assessed anonymously to support a fair and independent judging process.

No gala night is hosted. Winners are announced online and may be invited to global exhibitions.

Gala Night will not be held in 2026

D’Light Award winners receive a range of professional recognition and promotional benefits, including:

• A digital winner certificate.

• A digital interview with Designooor.

• A dedicated winner project review article.

• A one-page feature in the official Digital Winners Yearbook.

• An official digital winner badge and banner.

• One year of honorary membership in the Universal Lighting Platform (ULP).

• Inclusion in the D’Light Designer Rankings.

These benefits help winners document their achievement, strengthen their professional profiles, and increase the visibility of their work within the lighting design community.

The D’Light Winner Kit is a paid physical recognition package available to award winners who wish to receive tangible memorabilia of their achievement. The kit includes an official trophy, a T-shirt, a framed certificate, a postcard, a bag, and a presentation box. The physical Winner Kit is optional and is separate from the complimentary digital winner benefits.

No. Purchasing the physical Winner Kit is optional. Winners can receive their complimentary digital benefits without purchasing the physical package. The kit is available separately for those who wish to celebrate their achievement with physical award memorabilia.

The Digital Winners Yearbook is an official digital publication showcasing winning projects and their creators. Each winner receives a complimentary one-page feature dedicated to their winning project. Winners who want to present additional information about their biography, professional practice, studio, or company may explore the optional two-page publication upgrade, where available.

Exclusive Winner Privilege is a special promotional opportunity available exclusively to D’Light Lighting Design Award winners. Through Designooor’s media network, winners can access selected editorial, digital, and promotional services at exclusive rates, with savings of up to 51% compared with regular media rates. The available packages are designed to support different promotional goals, from establishing a stronger professional presence to achieving broader brand visibility and editorial exposure.

D’Light winners can choose from three exclusive Designooor promotional packages:

• Essential — USD 290: An accessible option for establishing visibility through a two-page digital book feature, a standard designer or brand index listing, a group newsletter feature, one dedicated social media post, and one Instagram Story.

• Professional — USD 890: Extended editorial and digital exposure, including a two-page digital book feature, a featured designer or brand index listing, an exclusive editorial article, a dedicated newsletter feature, two social media posts, two Instagram Stories, a standard homepage banner for three months, and a D’Light category cover placement for one month.

• Premium — USD 1,490: The most comprehensive package, including a two-page digital book feature, premium designer or brand index positioning, an exclusive editorial article, a dedicated newsletter feature, three social media posts, three Instagram Stories, a premium homepage banner for three months, a D’Light category cover placement for three months, and a 20–30-minute audio podcast with editing and distribution.

All packages are optional and available to eligible D’Light winners. Please consult the official package comparison for the complete terms and deliverables.

The D’Light Lighting Design Award recognizes outstanding achievement through award titles, official certificates, digital recognition, editorial exposure, and other winner benefits. The award does not offer monetary cash prizes.

For questions about registration, eligibility, submission requirements, payment arrangements, or winner benefits, please contact the D’Light Award team at [email protected]. For the latest rules, deadlines, and official announcements, visit dlightaward.com.

Open to designers, architects, artists, brands, manufacturers, and students worldwide.

Submitted projects must not be older than five (5) years from the date of submission.

Students and graduates whose graduation date does not exceed one (1) year may register under the Student account type.

Students must upload a document verifying their student status, or a graduation certificate confirming that their graduation occurred within the past one (1) year.

Lighting Project Design
Recognizes exceptional lighting applications in real-world environments.

Sub-Categories:

• Residential Lighting
• Commercial Spaces
• Hospitality & Hotels
• Public & Cultural Buildings
• Retail & Showrooms
• Landscape & Urban Lighting
• Event / Stage / Entertainment
• Other

Lighting Product Design
Celebrates innovative lighting fixtures and systems with strong design language and engineering.

Sub-Categories:

• Pendant Lights
• Chandeliers
• Floor / Table Lamps
• Wall Fixtures
• Modular Systems
• Outdoor Lighting Products
• Portable & Rechargeable
• Sustainable / Eco-Friendly Designs
• Smart & Connected Lighting
• Custom / Bespoke Products
• Collection / Set Others

Art and Installation Light

Sub-Categories:

• Light Art Installation
• Interactive Light Installation
• Immersive Light Experience
• Projection Mapping & Media Art
• Kinetic Light Installation
• Architectural Light Art
• Public Space Light Art
• Festival & Event Light Installation
• Sculptural Light Art
• Experimental / Conceptual Light Art

AI-Assisted Lighting Design
Celebrates lighting designs, including architectural projects, art-light installations, and products, created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence.

Note: Submissions using AI tools must clearly demonstrate significant human creative input. Purely AI-generated work without meaningful human authorship will not be accepted. All AI-assisted projects must be nominated under this category. The D’Light Design Award reserves the right to disqualify any entry that fails to comply.

Submission Requirements

AI Usage Policy

Grand Jury Evaluation Criteria

All entries are judged by the Grand Jury according to six key dimensions:

• Innovation & Creativity: originality, materials, and design approach.
• Aesthetic Impact: emotional quality, design language, and visual harmony.
• Functionality & Usability: performance, ergonomics, and user experience.
• Sustainability & Responsibility: environmental and ethical considerations.
• Technical Excellence: construction, materials, and production quality.
• Contextual Fit: relevance to environment, culture, or audience.

Jury Anonymity

• All jury evaluations are conducted anonymously.
• Personal names, logos, or company identifiers are prohibited within images or project descriptions.
• Violating anonymity rules may result in disqualification.

Ownership & Intellectual Property

• Entrants must be the original creators of the submitted work or authorized representatives of the project.
• All submissions must be free from any third-party claims, disputes, or infringements.
• Collaborative, commissioned, or client-based projects must include appropriate credits, permissions, and authorizations from all relevant parties.
• Entrants assume full responsibility for any legal disputes arising from their submissions. Any violation of intellectual property rights may result in disqualification.

Copyright & Licensing

Entrants retain full copyright of their submitted work. By submitting, participants grant the D’Light Lighting Design Award a non-exclusive, royalty-free license for the following purposes:

• Publications (both online and print)
• Exhibitions and promotional activities
• Media, press, and award communications

All credits will always include the participant’s name and project title.

Disqualification Policy

Entries may be disqualified under the following circumstances:

• Violation of submission requirements, including incorrect file formats, incomplete information, or visible branding within submitted materials.
• Submission of false information, misrepresentation, or plagiarism.
• Failure to declare the use of AI tools, or inaccurate disclosure regarding AI-assisted content.
• Entry fee payment is unsuccessful, reversed, disputed, or refunded.
• Copyright ownership, authorship, or authorization of the submitted work cannot be verified.

All disqualification decisions are final, and all entry fees remain non-refundable.

Students

Early Bird
AED 140 (≈ USD 38)

Regular
AED 180 (≈ USD 49)

Late
AED 240 (≈ USD 65)

Design schools may participate in our Campus Ambassador Program and receive complimentary entry codes for their students.
For more information, please contact: [email protected]

Professionals / Studios / Brands

Early Bird
AED 360 (≈ USD 98)

Regular
AED 480 (≈ USD 131)

Late
AED 600 (≈ USD 163)

Bulk Submission Discount

Submit three (3) entries and receive one (1) additional entry free of charge.
For assistance and eligibility details, please contact: [email protected]

Optional Add-Ons

Available During Nomination Pack Purchase

Early Results Access
AED 150 (≈ USD 41)
Receive your award results prior to the official announcement date, allowing additional time to prepare press releases, marketing campaigns, and promotional activities in the event of a winning entry.

Jury Feedback Report (PDF)
AED 150 (≈ USD 41)
Receive a detailed and constructive evaluation prepared by the jury panel, providing valuable insights to help refine your current project and strengthen future submissions

.

Important Notice

Entry fees contribute to the administrative, operational, and evaluation costs of the award program, including the judging process conducted by the international expert jury board.
All entry fees are non-refundable once a submission has been completed.

Winning the D’Light Lighting Design Award represents international recognition for excellence in lighting design.
Award recipients gain global exposure, professional recognition, and access to an international network of designers, brands, and lighting professionals.

Digital Award Certificate

An official digital certificate presented to honor outstanding achievement in lighting design and creative innovation. Included as part of the winner benefits package, it validates professional excellence within the global design community.

Trophy (Optional Paid Add-on)

A distinguished physical trophy available for pre-order and personalized engraving after the winners announcement. Serves as a lasting symbol of achievement within the international lighting design community.

Official Winner Seal (print, packaging, online)

An exclusive winner seal for use across print materials, digital platforms, packaging, and promotional campaigns, signaling award-winning recognition and professional credibility. Hundreds of thousands of people may see it, human attention to stamps and badges is remarkable, and design culture is no exception.

Permanent Profile in the D’Light Award Winners Archive

Winning projects receive a permanent listing in the official D’Light Award archive, ensuring long-term visibility within the international lighting design industry.

One-year Complimentary Membership to the Universal Lighting Platform (ULP)

Winners gain free access to the Universal Lighting Platform, connecting them to a global network of lighting designers, creative professionals, industry insights, and collaboration opportunities.

Feature Article in Designooor Lighting Media

Selected winners are featured in an editorial article by Designooor Lighting Media, highlighting the story, philosophy, and innovation behind their work for an international audience. Published articles reach hundreds of thousands of designers, industry professionals, and enthusiasts worldwide.

Global Media Coverage through Press Partners

Award-winning projects are promoted through Designooor’s international media and press network, expanding reach and professional recognition globally.

Interview & Digital Feature (Free)

Winners receive a free digital interview conducted by the Designooor team, sharing their design story, creative approach, and project insights with a global audience.

Optional Paid Add-ons: Podcast Features

• Online Audio Podcast Interview: Professional audio interview shared with Designooor’s audience.
• Studio-Based Video Podcast Interview: In-studio video interview to reach an engaged international audience of designers, brands, and lighting professionals.

Showcasing Opportunities at Global Design Events (by invitation)

Exceptional projects may be selected for presentation at international exhibitions and design events, offering visibility among industry leaders, brands, and creative communities worldwide.

Inclusion in the Digital Winners Book

Winning entries are published in the official Digital Winners Book, forming a curated collection of innovative lighting projects and influential voices shaping contemporary design culture.

Participant Declaration

By submitting an entry, the participant confirms and agrees to the following:

• Full acceptance of all award rules, policies, and terms of participation.
• Ownership of the submitted work, or possession of all necessary rights and authorizations required for submission.
• Accurate disclosure of all collaborators, contributors, and any AI involvement related to the project.
• Acknowledgment that all decisions made by the jury and award organizers are final and binding.

For Questions or Assistance

• [email protected]
• www.dlightaward.com