D’Light Lighting Design Award 2026
The following rules and guidelines apply to all participants of the D’Light Lighting Design Award. Entrants must carefully read and accept all terms before submitting any project.
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
- Images: 3–6 images per entry, JPEG or PNG format, 150–300 DPI, minimum width 2000px, maximum 5MB per file.
- Project Description: 500–1000 characters. Highlight originality, usability, aesthetics, sustainability, technical quality, and project context.
- Optional Uploads: Video (MP4, maximum 20MB). Participants may also upload drawings, sketches, plans, or additional visual information in a single PDF file with a maximum size of 10MB.
- Language: English only.
- Submissions: Unlimited. Each project must be submitted separately.
Accepted Image Types
- Renders produced using computer software and rendering engines.
- Photographs of the actual product or project, provided it has been produced and professionally photographed.
Please note that hand drawings, digital paintings, and hand-painted illustrations, regardless of style or medium, are not accepted.
Important Notes
To ensure a fair and unbiased evaluation process, all submissions must remain anonymous throughout judging.
- No logos, names, signatures, or watermarks may appear on submitted images.
- Participant identity must only be provided within the designated submission form fields.
Failure to comply with these requirements may result in disqualification.
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AI Usage Policy
The use of AI tools is permitted solely for retouching and presentation enhancement purposes, including visual refinement, image enhancement, and the addition of special effects within presentation materials.
Participants may be requested to provide their original 3D model, source files, or supporting documentation to verify that the submitted work was not entirely generated using AI tools.
Important Requirements
- Purely AI-generated works created without meaningful human authorship will not be accepted.
- Projects in which the concept, design, or creative outcome has been generated through AI prompts, algorithms, or code-based systems must be submitted under the AI-Assisted Lighting Design category.
- Participants are responsible for accurately declaring the use of AI within their submission.
Compliance Notice
The D'Light Lighting Design Award reserves the right to review, investigate, and disqualify any submission that does not comply with this policy.
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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: info@dlightaward.com
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: info@dlightaward.com
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.
Available After the Winners Announcement
Online Audio Podcast Interview
Share the story behind your project through a professionally hosted audio interview distributed to an audience of more than 42,000 designers, industry professionals, and potential clients.
Studio-Based Video Podcast Interview
Participate in a professionally produced in-studio video interview and gain enhanced exposure through our audience of 42,000+ engaged listeners and viewers.
Trophy
Reserve an official award trophy in advance. Trophies will be engraved and shipped shortly after the public announcement of the winners.
Double-Page Digital Yearbook Publication
All winners receive a complimentary single-page feature in the Digital Yearbook. By upgrading to a double-page spread, participants can additionally showcase their professional profile, biography, studio, or company presentation alongside their winning project.
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