LIT Lighting Design Awards 2026: An Opportunity for Lighting Designers

The LIT Lighting Design Awards 2026 is now open to lighting designers, product designers, manufacturers and emerging designers from around the world.

Created to celebrate creativity and innovation in lighting, the LIT Awards recognises both the art and science of lighting design, with a particular focus on products that combine aesthetics, functionality, innovation and sustainability.

Two Opportunities for Designers

The awards include a Lighting Product Design of the Year – Professional category for established designers and professionals, as well as an Emerging Lighting Product Designer of the Year – Student category for students and young designers.

Professional winners receive the LIT Awards Trophy and international exposure through the LIT Awards website, annual Book of Design and media campaign. Winning projects are also featured in a newsletter reaching more than 100,000 lighting and design professionals and potential clients worldwide.

For students, the Emerging Lighting Product Designer of the Year receives a CHF 1,000 cash prize, the LIT Awards Trophy and international exposure. The winner will also receive six months of mentorship through the Silhouette Awards programme.

A Wide Range of Lighting Categories

The competition covers a broad spectrum of lighting products, making it relevant to designers working across many areas of the industry.

Categories include Pendant Lighting, Chandeliers, Ceiling Lights, LED Lighting Products & Fixtures, Designer & Custom Lighting, Lighting Control Systems, Linear Lighting Systems, Outdoor Lighting, Portable Lamps, Wall Sconces, Energy Saving Lights, Interactive Lighting Products and many more.

What Makes a Winning Project?

Entries are judged on more than appearance. The jury considers factors including innovation, aesthetics, functionality, ergonomics, durability, environmental impact, production feasibility and emotional appeal.

Importantly, designers do not need to submit a large portfolio. The competition evaluates a single project, allowing one strong lighting product to stand on its own.

Projects can be conceptual, in progress or completed, provided they are no more than five years old.

Who Can Enter?

The competition is open to anyone aged 18 or over, anywhere in the world. Professional and student entries are judged separately.

For 2026, the professional entry fee is CHF 230, while the student fee is CHF 100. There are no additional fees if you win.

Important Dates

The regular deadline is August 31, 2026.

The final submission period runs until October 18, 2026, with a 10% late fee applying during the late submission period.

For lighting designers with a product they believe deserves international recognition, the LIT Lighting Design Awards offers an opportunity to put their work in front of a global design audience.

Interested in entering?
You can find the full categories, judging criteria, entry requirements and submission details on the official LIT Lighting Design Awards – Lighting Product Design page.