International Association of Lighting Designers

The International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) is a learned society of architectural lighting designers founded in 1969 and based in Chicago.
In 1969, a group of lighting designers — including Ray Grenald and Howard Brandston — established the International Association of Lighting Designers. At that time, all existing industry organizations were primarily focused on the science and engineering of lighting rather than the aesthetic design.
One of the founding designers was Lesley Wheel. Originally trained in theatrical lighting design, Wheel had become the first woman to start a career in architectural lighting design. She later served as president of the IALD, and remained a fellow until her death in 2004.
The IALD has partnered with the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), the Alliance to Save Energy (ASE), and the United States Department of Energy (DOE) to promote sustainable lighting. The IALD also maintains partnerships with the IES, the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the International Commission on Illumination (CIE), Institution of Lighting Professionals (ILP), the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), and other professional organizations to promote the industry and develop technical standards.
On May 26, 2009, the IALD called upon its members to voice their disapproval of bill set for a vote the following day in the Texas House of Representatives. A last-minute amendment to Texas House Bill 2649 would have required licensure (i.e. as an engineer, architect, landscape architect, or interior designer) to offer lighting-design services directly to the public in Texas. The proposed legislation was successfully defeated.
The IALD International Lighting Design Awards (IALD Awards) is an industry awards program recognizing excellence in architectural lighting design bestowed by the IALD. Held annually, the IALD Awards have been granted to lighting designers and design firms since 1983.
Design firms submit entries for projects that meet specific eligibility requirements through the IALD website. A panel of volunteer judges reviews all accepted entries through two rounds of blind judging (no knowledge of the submitting firm or individual designers on the project).
Advancement from the first to the second round is based on evaluating the entry’s submitted short brief and a single-page poster of chosen project images. During the second round, those advancing projects are scored by each judge based on a set of ten discipline criteria. Total averaged scores from the second round (which will range from 0 to 105 points) determine the winners for the year. There is no minimum or maximum number of awards granted.
IALD Awards of Excellence (scoring above 88) and IALD Awards of Merit (scoring between 80 and 87.999) are based on points earned for technical and aesthetic design achievement. Recognition in the form of an IALD Special Citation may be given for a particularly innovative aspect of a project's lighting design. The IALD Radiance Award for Excellence in Lighting Design, the top honor of the IALD International Lighting Design Awards, is presented to the project that is judged among all submissions to be the year’s finest example of lighting design excellence (based on the highest point score).