The LIT Lighting Design Awards brought its celebration of excellence in lighting design to São Paulo, Brazil, with a special winners ceremony held during LEDforum.26 on August 21 at the Tivoli Mofarrej Conference Hotel.
Recognized nationally and internationally as one of Brazil’s leading gatherings dedicated to lighting, LEDforum brings together influential voices and emerging perspectives from across the industry. Its program of lectures, discussions, and activities attracts a diverse audience of lighting designers, architects, product designers, urban planners, landscape designers, academics, developers, and lighting solution providers from across Brazil and Latin America.
© LEDforum.26 | Felipe Perazzolo
Against this vibrant backdrop, the LIT Lighting Design Awards celebrated the achievements of its 2025 Brazilian and regional winners, highlighting projects and professionals whose work continues to shape the future of lighting design.
The ceremony was presided over by Camila Linhares from the LIT Lighting Design Awards, who welcomed the winning studios and designers to the stage. Among those recognized were Atiaîa Lighting Design, Cena Studio De Iluminação, Mingrone Iluminação, NTZ Lighting, Studio Fos Iluminação, Studio io Arquitetura, Studio Symbios, Welight, Dessine, Dsgnselo, and LDE LightDesign Exporlux.
The celebration also recognized this year’s Honorable Mention recipients: Arquitetura E Luz, De Riggi Arquitetura de Iluminação, Lid Light In Design (DeltArchLD and LiD – Light In Design), Alfalux Iluminação Ltda, OMEGALIGHT, and Limarí Lighting Design.
Bringing the LIT Lighting Design Awards to LEDforum.26 created an opportunity to celebrate the Brazilian and Latin American lighting community within one of the region’s most important industry gatherings. The ceremony reflected the Awards’ ongoing commitment to recognizing exceptional talent and providing an international platform for designers whose creativity, technical expertise, and vision are advancing the discipline of lighting design.
© LEDforum.26 | Felipe Perazzolo
Switzerland – The LIT Lighting Design Awards celebrated its 10th anniversary this week with an evening of recognition and connection in the heart of Paris. Held at the Yachts de Paris — a venue perched along the Seine within sight of the Eiffel Tower — the ceremony brought together 200 lighting designers, jury members, and industry figures from 25 nationalities, making it a truly international gathering.
The day began with an afternoon of networking and design talks, featuring a series of concise presentations that offered an intimate insight into the concepts, innovations, and stories behind the 2024 and 2025 award-winning projects. Attendees — including winners, jury members, and press representatives — gathered along the banks of the Seine for an afternoon of exchange and connection.
This was followed by a sumptuous Awards Ceremony, which honoured the Design of the Year winners across Architectural, Entertainment, and Lighting Product Design, alongside the Emerging Designer categories and the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The 2024 Design of the Year honourees present included Saumya Monga and Zerlina Hughes of Studio ZNA for Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto (Architectural), Takahiro Matsuo, founder of Lucent Design Inc., for The Creation (Entertainment), and Vaida Atkočaitytė-Dališanskienė, a student at Vilnius Academy of Arts, who was recognised as Emerging Lighting Product Designer of the Year for MOOD.
Suzan Tillotson, Founder and President of Tillotson Design Associates, received the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding contribution to the industry. The 2025 honourees included Mariana Novaes of Atiaîa Lighting Design for Memorial Brumadinho (Architectural); Martin Döller of One to One by Martin Döller for Amphora (Lighting Product); and James Tapscott of Studio JT Pty Ltd. for Arc ZERO: Eclipse (Entertainment). The Emerging Lighting Designer of the Year award went to the Deggendorf Institute of Technology team, represented by Franziska Rieder, Sabine Wiesend, and Jannick Lippert for Flight into Shadow, while Yuxin Luo, a student at ArtCenter College of Design, was recognised as Emerging Lighting Product Designer of the Year for CinderGlow.
“Ten years ago, we started the LIT Awards with a simple belief — that lighting design deserved a platform of its own. What this anniversary edition in Paris showed us is how far that community has grown, and how deeply it cares about the power of light. To see designers from across the world come together, share their work, and celebrate each other in a city that understands beauty — that was everything we hoped this milestone would be.” — Astrid Hébert, Director of the LIT Lighting Design Awards.
The LIT Lighting Design Awards winners also included Maytoni, Hydrel, Expolight, Lichtvision Design, Artec Studio, Brandston Partnership Inc., L’Observatoire International, LELCO, Eleftheria Deko & Associates, Aslight, Sweco Architects, CD+M Lighting Design, Light Directions, and NEAL Lighting, alongside leading French lighting firms such as Concepto, Light is More, and Projetscénie, among others.
The evening closed with a seated gala dinner, with each attending winner called to the stage to receive their commemorative anniversary trophy — a moment that captured both the personal significance of the recognition and the collective spirit of an industry.
On June 16, 2026, the LIT Lighting Design Awards will celebrate its 10th anniversary in the heart of Paris. This milestone event promises to be a perfect blend of innovation, creativity, and networking, set against the iconic backdrop of the Seine River and the Eiffel Tower.
The day is set to begin with a vibrant networking session featuring Fire Talks and Snapshot Presentations that will showcase the award-winning projects from the past two years. Attendees can expect a welcome coffee followed by dynamic presentations, offering insights into the creativity and concepts behind the designs. This relaxed atmosphere will foster meaningful connections among professionals, designers, and peers.
As evening falls, the spotlight will turn to the distinguished Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner at the elegant Yachts de Paris, Salon Nework. The ceremony will honor the exceptional talents of the winners from 2024 and 2025, with heartfelt presentations of each project. Winners will be called to the stage to receive their commemorative trophies, creating unforgettable moments filled with pride and recognition.
With the presence of distinguished judges and influential figures from the design world, this event will offer an unparalleled platform for recognition, networking opportunities and exposure. The LIT Lighting Design Awards will continue to shine as a platform that recognizes and celebrates the art and science of lighting design. With the presence of industry leaders and a commitment to fostering creativity, the event promises not only recognition but also inspiration for the future of lighting design.
The LIT Lighting Design Awards 2025 Winners Catalogue is now available, showcasing the most outstanding and innovative lighting projects from around the world. This year’s publication highlights exceptional achievements in architectural, entertainment, and product lighting, recognizing the visionary designers who are shaping the future of the industry.
In addition to the award-winning projects, the catalogue features exclusive interviews with the “Designers of the Year” and “Emerging Designers of the Year”, offering valuable insights into their creative processes and perspectives on the evolving field of lighting design.
The catalogue is available to purchase on Amazon and can be downloaded on the LIT Awards website.
LEDforum 2025, held from August 20 to 22 in São Paulo, marked the 16th edition of Latin America’s leading lighting design event.
Under the theme “The Meaning of Light”, the forum explored how light goes beyond its technical role to shape emotions, narratives, and experiences in architecture and design. The program brought together renowned international and Brazilian speakers for lectures, debates, and interactive sessions, while also showcasing the latest innovations from the lighting industry. More than just a trade show, LEDforum served as a platform for architects, designers, planners, and academics to exchange ideas, foster collaboration, and reflect on how light can transform the way we inhabit and experience spaces.
On August 21st, the LIT Lighting Design Awards — a proud partner of LEDforum — took the main stage, celebrating the 2024 Brazilian and Latin American winners attending the conference. A total of eight projects received the Winner title from Brazilian designers: Casa Ponte by Allume Arquitetura de Iluminação, Fortaleza São José da Ponta Grossa by Allume Arquitetura de Iluminação, Poste O and Módulo VIA MAX designed by LDE LightDesign Exporlux, House in Itacaré by Mingrone Iluminação, Yosegi by Omega Light, Orit Designer by Studio 220V, and Casa Chidori by WeLight Iluminação.
Afterwards, the stage was dedicated to the Honorable Mention recipients: Ornare Milan by WeLight Iluminação, CT2 George Helal Training Center – Ninho do Urubu – CRF by RICMON, Mirante do Cais and Parque do Cais Buildings by Archidesign, ZD Galerie by Arquitetura e Luz, and Uliving Campinas by A Luzia Iluminação e Sentidos.
Before closing the ceremony, Limarí Lighting Design, a company based in Chile, was recognized with two prizes: Iglesia San Francisco del Barón, winner in Religious & Spiritual Site Lighting Design, and Museo de Santiago, awarded an Honorable Mention
The LIT Lighting Design Awards 2024 Winners Catalogue is now available, showcasing the most outstanding and innovative lighting projects from around the world. This year’s publication highlights exceptional achievements in architectural, entertainment, and product lighting, recognizing the visionary designers who are shaping the future of the industry.
In addition to the award-winning projects, the catalogue features exclusive interviews with the “Designers of the Year” and “Emerging Designers of the Year”, offering valuable insights into their creative processes and perspectives on the evolving field of lighting design.
The catalogue is available to purchase on Amazon and can be downloaded on the LIT Awards website.
LIT Lighting Design Awards 2024 Winners Revealed and Theater Lighting Icon Allen Lee Hughes Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award.
This year’s awards celebrate the creative brilliance of designers who have pushed the boundaries of lighting design, transforming spaces and performances with their visionary work. In addition to recognizing these exceptional projects, the Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Allen Lee Hughes, a pioneering figure in lighting design whose five-decade career has influenced the worlds of theatre, opera, and dance. Hughes’ work has set a global standard for lighting design, and this recognition highlights his enduring impact on the industry.
The LIT Lighting Design Awards announced the winners of their 8th edition, celebrating outstanding achievements in lighting design across diverse categories. With over 800 submissions from 58 countries, the awards showcased groundbreaking innovation, creativity, and sustainability. A jury of 35 esteemed professionals, including architects, interior designers, academics, and media representatives, evaluated the entries, recognizing exceptional contributions to the field.
Studio ZNA, led by Zerlina Hughes, received the top honor in Architectural Lighting Design for Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The lighting design mirrored themes of time and texture, enhancing the exhibit’s narrative. Takahiro Matsuo of Lucent was awarded in Entertainment Lighting Design for The Creation, a dazzling installation featuring 20,000 suspended acrylic spheres illuminated to evoke the origins of the universe. In Lighting Product Design, Evgenii Vetlugin and Eduard Bochanov of Pipe Lighting GmbH were recognized for an innovative, eco-friendly LED system designed for film sets, combining portability with high efficiency.
In the Emerging Designer categories, Vaida Atkocaityte-Dalisanskiene from Vilnius Academy of Arts won in Lighting Product Design with MOOD, a modular lamp that allows users to create light compositions reflective of emotions and daily rhythms crafted with sustainable materials. David Yang and Margo Majewska from the California College of the Arts stood out in Lighting Design with Light in Motion, a gallery installation inspired by Southwest canyons, blending dramatic contrasts and ambient effects to immerse visitors in a naturalistic lightscape. Both Emerging Designers will be awarded a cash prize of CHF 1,000 and a 6-month mentorship through the Silhouette Awards program.
Astrid Hébert, Director of the LIT Lighting Design Awards, said, “With over 800 submissions this year and our 10th anniversary coming up, it’s exciting to see how lighting design continues to transform spaces and inspire change. Honoring Allen Lee Hughes for his exceptional career is a celebration of his immense influence and the lasting impact he’s had on the industry.”
Other standout projects included Nebula by Patrizia Volpato Srl, an exquisite artisan glass-blown hanging light, and Whiz 2.0 Bi-directional by Meteor Lighting, a sophisticated asymmetric indirect floodlight. CMA Lighting Design‘s Silk Court Apartment and Kabluka Light & Digital Sculptures’ lighting installation “The Soul” also gained recognition. L’Observatoire International’s Coqodaq demonstrated excellence in bar and restaurant lighting, while China Pavilion of 2023 Venice Biennale by Brandston Partnership Inc. was one of the winners in the “Visitor Experience & Museum Exhibition” category. Licht Kunst Licht AG was honored for their work on Casals Forum – Music Quarter, Kronberg, blending cultural heritage with modern lighting techniques. dpa Lighting Consultants transformed Masala Zone, Piccadilly Circus, London with innovative bar and restaurant lighting and Eleftheria Deko & Associates Lighting Design brought history to life with Temple of Poseidon, Sounion, a masterpiece in cultural and heritage lighting, amongst others.
Each year, the LIT Lighting Design Awards honor a visionary lighting designer with the Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2024, this prestigious accolade will be awarded to Allen Lee Hughes, a pioneer whose five-decade career has profoundly influenced lighting design in theatre, opera, and dance. His artistry and technical expertise have set a gold standard, inspiring generations of designers and elevating the field’s global reputation.
Hughes’ remarkable career spans Broadway, off-Broadway, and world-renowned performing arts companies. He has designed lighting for twelve Broadway productions, earning four Tony Award nominations, including for Once on This Island (1990), Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (2012), and A Soldier’s Play (2020). His work seamlessly combines technical precision with emotional depth, enhancing the storytelling without overshadowing the performers.
In addition to his Broadway success, Hughes has worked with companies like the American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, and the National Ballet of Canada. He also serves as an Associate Arts Professor in Design for Stage & Film at NYU Tisch School of the Arts, where he shares his expertise and mentors the next generation of lighting designers. Hughes has received numerous awards, including the USITT Distinguished Achievement Award (2003) and the Michael Merritt Award (1997). His legacy also includes the Allen Lee Hughes Fellowship, which promotes diversity in the theatre industry. The LIT Lighting Design Awards Lifetime Achievement Award is a fitting recognition of his exceptional contributions to lighting design.
Allen Lee Hughes commented on receiving the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award, saying, “Thank you so much for this LIT Awards lifetime achievement award. It is great to have recognition for some fifty-six years of professional work. The award means a great deal to me and all of my many collaborators. Over the years, I have attempted to help tell hundreds of stories through my work as a lighting designer. There is a glorious feeling when we are rewarded with an audience that reaps pleasure and knowledge from our work. I appreciate you giving the efforts public attention.”
To discover the full list of LIT Lighting Design Awards 2024 winners and learn more about their outstanding work, please visit litawards.com/winners. These exceptional designers are shaping the future of lighting and continue to inspire innovation across the globe.
The LIT Design Awards catalog showcases the best of 2023 Lighting Designs and Lighting Product Designs! The brochure features exclusive interviews with Ryan Salim from ERRELUCE, winner of the “Architectural Lighting Design of the Year” with the IronPlate Restaurant; Eleftheria Deko of Eleftheria Deko & Associates, winner of the “Entertainment Lighting Design of the Year” for the “Persephone Reconsiders Her Fate” and Chris Sorensen, the Senior Director of Engineering at Hydrel, winner of the “Lighting Product Design of the Year.”
Takatoku Nishi, a student of the Tokyo University of The Arts, won the “Emerging Lighting Designer of the Year” title with “Ripple”, and speaks with us about his love for design and inspiration for Ripple. Arash Abbaszadeh, a student at the Hochschule Wismar in Germany and winner of the “Emerging Lighting Designer of the Year” prize, shares his enthusiasm and future professional aspirations.
The annual catalog includes an introduction of the recipients of the 2023 “Lifetime Achievement” Award, Roger Narboni, Pioneer in Urban Lighting Design. Last, an insightful article on darksky, the “Spotlight” 2023 recipient, on their Harmonious Approach to Sustainable Lighting.
The catalog is available to purchase on Amazon and can be downloaded on the LIT Awards website.
Switzerland, November 28, 2023 – The winners of the highly anticipated LIT Lighting Design Awards 2023 have been unveiled, showcasing the brilliance of international lighting product designers and implementers. The 7th edition of the LIT Lighting Design Awards attracted over 800 submissions from 58 countries, with notable debuts from the Dominican Republic, Uruguay, and Venezuela. A distinguished panel of 45 professionals, including architects, interior designers, academics, and media representatives in the lighting industry, evaluated the entries, selecting those that exemplified outstanding creativity and innovation.
The Architectural Lighting Design of the Year 2023 award went to ERRELUCE with the lead designers Ryan Salim and Mitha Audina for their exceptional work on IronPlate Restaurant. Highlights include a dramatic entrance featuring a strategically placed zig-zag mini spotlight and a central kitchen illuminated by narrow-degree spotlights (2700K, CRI95) to authentically showcase the colors of cooking meat. Other notable mentions in the Architectural Lighting Design category included Ambient Lighting‘s 301 Hillsborough Street Lobby, dpa Lighting Consultants‘ Duck & Waffle – Edinburgh, Vermilion Zhuo Design Group’s Intercity BAR, L’Observatoire International‘s Tin Building by Jean-Georges, Kris Lin International Design‘s LIGHT PATIO, and Tiffany House Interior by Lichtvision Design GmbH.
The prestigious Lighting Product Design of the Year 2023 award was claimed by Hydrel for their FLAME Lighting Technique. FLAME is a unique lighting technique with two beams in one luminaire – a central beam and an outer beam that blends harmoniously. Other outstanding entries in the Lighting Product Design category included LDE – Light Design Exporlux‘s Luminarias NOON, Sean Eichelberger’s Voltik, Edison Price Lighting‘s Infinity: Sculpture in Light, Rousseau Design Ltd‘s Tempus, and Meteor Lighting‘s REV Flex.
In a new category introduced this year, Entertainment Lighting Design of the Year 2023, Eleftheria Deko & Associates claimed victory for the lighting design for the “Persephone Reconsiders Her Fate.” The dance performance seamlessly integrated light and projection to create an atmosphere representing the in-between world of the living and the underworld. Other notable entertainment lighting projects awarded include AMA-KO by Yoko Seyama Art & Scenography, THE METAROOM by Kabluka Light And Digital Sculptures, RESPIRAMOS – interactive light sculpture by Rizomatique, and Interwoven by Lawrence Liang Public Art.
The emerging talent categories saw Tokyo University of The Arts’ student Takatoku Nishi winning the Emerging Architectural Lighting Designer of the Year 2023 for Ripple, while Arash Abbaszadeh, a student of Hochschule Wismar, received the Emerging Lighting Product Designer of the Year 2023 for the enchanting “Moist Sparkle” light art installation.
Introduced in 2018, the Lifetime Achievement Award honored Roger Narboni for his exceptional contributions to landscape, urban, heritage, and architectural lighting over more than 35 years. A true pioneer, Narboni’s work has left an indelible mark across the globe.
DarkSky received the esteemed Spotlight Prize for its outstanding commitment to preserving the darkness of the sky. Recognized by the discerning jury, DarkSky International’s mission involves restoring the nighttime environment and protecting communities from the harmful effects of light pollution.
“The winning entries of the LIT Lighting Design Awards 2023 showcase extraordinary creativity, amplified by the addition of the Entertainment Lighting category. Additionally, this year, we introduced a ‘Sustainability Approach’ section, providing companies with a platform to showcase the eco-friendly aspects of their projects or products. The Gala in spring 2024 will not only honor outstanding talents but also serve as a networking hub for industry leaders and a gateway for emerging talents to step into the limelight and connect with industry luminaries,” commented Astrid Hébert, Director of the LIT Lighting Design Awards.
All winners will receive extensive global publicity over the next year and will be celebrated at a Gala in spring 2024, where they will receive their well-deserved trophies. To explore the full list of LIT Lighting Design Awards 2023 winners, please visit litawards.com/winners.
New jury members enhance the LIT Lighting Design Awards mission of acknowledging global lighting design excellence and nurturing innovation within the design community. Designers worldwide are urged to submit their work by the final deadline on October 22, 2023.
Zurich, Switzerland, September 28, 2023 – The LIT Lighting Design Awards, a globally recognized competition dedicated to honoring and promoting excellence in lighting design and innovation, proudly announces the addition of five distinguished industry leaders to its esteemed jury panel. The newly appointed jury members are:
Sooner Routhier, CEO of The Playground, is a two-time Parnelli Award winner, Live Design Achievement recipient, and a multi Top Dog award-winning Designer. Her work has graced major screens worldwide, including The AMA’s, The Ellen Show, and The Billboard Music Awards. In 2020, she co-founded EVEN, an organization dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in the live events industry.
Andrea Siniscalco, an Assistant Professor at the Politecnico di Milano, is an expert with a rich academic background. In 2007, he obtained his Ph.D. with a thesis focused on optimizing production processes in the lighting sector. Since 2003, he has been deeply involved in research and teaching at the Laboratorio Luce of Politecnico di Milano.
Claudia Paz, Founder and Design Director of Claudia Paz Lighting Studio, established her independent studio in 2001, specializing in architectural, retail, and interactive lighting design. Her unique approach blends architecture, technology, and art, earning international recognition.
Yenchih Wang, President and Chief Designer of GD-Lighting Design, founded GD-Lighting Design in Hong Kong in 2004, a comprehensive lighting design company with a strong international presence. Under his leadership, the team has completed numerous well-known projects.
Kasper Hammer is a lighting designer and product director with extensive international experience in architectural and urban lighting design. Based in Denmark, Kasper now runs his own studio, offering creative and commercial direction in the high-end lighting industry and operating an architectural lighting design practice. He is actively involved in the field, serving as a board member of the Copenhagen Light Festival and delivering talks on lighting and design.
These new jury members will join the esteemed jury that already includes prominent names like LeRoy Bennett, Owner & Partner, Seven Design Works and Dakana Design, Roland Greil, Lighting Designer & Director, Roland Greil & 360 degree collective, Bahare Yaghar, Design Manager, MOMA International, Cosmo Wilson, President and Lighting Director, Cosmo Enterprises, Inc., Thiago Gaya, Founder of the LEDforum, Publisher of L+D Magazine, Craig A. Bernecker, Founder, The Lighting Education Institute, Professor, The New School, New York, Annie Block, Executive Editor, Interior Design Magazine, Amit Gupta, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, STIR, Waleed Fakousa, Director, CD+M Lighting Design Group & The Lighting Institute, Sally Storey Creative Director at John Cullen Lighting, Founding Director at Lighting Design International, and many other renowned experts, ensuring that the LIT Lighting Design Awards continue to recognize and celebrate the very best in lighting design worldwide.
Astrid Hebert, Program Director, expressed her pride in the growing design community and the involvement of industry leaders, stating, “We are proud to see the LIT Lighting Design Awards continue to attract big names in the lighting design field. This strong and diverse jury panel reflects the ever-expanding reach of our platform and its commitment to celebrating exceptional design, and we look forward to recognizing outstanding contributions in the upcoming awards.”
The final deadline for submissions to the LIT Lighting Design Awards is October 22, 2023. For more information about the LIT Lighting Design Awards and the esteemed jury members, please visit litawards.com.
Hero picture From top left: Sooner Routhier, The Playground, Orlando Marques, OMstudio Lighting, Yenchih Wang, GD-Lighting Design, Claudia Paz, Claudia Paz Lighting Studio, Andrea Siniscalco, Politecnico di Milano, Annie Block, Interior Design Magazine, Kasper Hammer, Studio Kasper Hammer, Waleed Fakousa, CD+M Lighting Design Group & The Lighting Institute.