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Categories
Details on the submission categories can be found on this page.
Judging/Evaluation Criteria
Submissions are evaluated based on their innovative, forward-looking, and meaningful contributions to the future of lighting design. The judging criteria aim to recognise excellence across ecological, economic, social, and technological dimensions while addressing pressing global challenges.
The criteria listed below serve as an evaluative framework rather than a prescriptive checklist. Not all criteria will be applicable to every submission. Entrants are therefore required to identify and address only those criteria that are most relevant to their concept, product, or project. Jurors will assess each entry based on the criteria selected and substantiated by the entrant.
1. Environmental or Social Stewardship
The extent to which the concept, product, or project addresses environmental responsibility or social impact through lighting design.
(e.g., circular economy principles, dark-sky preservation, diversity and social inclusion, renewable or low-impact energy strategies)
2. Health and Well-being
The extent to which the concept, product, or project enhances human health and well-being through lighting.
(e.g., circadian alignment, sleep quality, physiological or psychological comfort)
3. Innovation
The degree to which the concept, product, or project challenges established norms or conventions within the lighting industry.
(e.g., inventive interpretation of standards, regulations, or constraints)
4. Professional Excellence
The extent to which the concept, product, or project elevates professional standards within the lighting discipline and demonstrates interdisciplinary relevance.
(e.g., recognition or applicability within architecture, engineering, medicine, or scientific research)
5. Technological Advancement
The effectiveness with which advanced or emerging technologies are integrated into the lighting solution.
(e.g., creative application of artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, or adaptive systems)
6. User Experience
The extent to which the concept, product, or project delivers a distinctive, meaningful, or engaging experience for users.
(e.g., emotional impact, usability, ergonomics, perceptual quality)
7. Overall Criteria (Mandatory)
Inclusivity & Diversity
This criterion recognises entries that embrace diverse cultures, perspectives, abilities, and geographies. It evaluates how lighting design expands access, supports equity, and responds meaningfully to different user needs and global contexts.
Inclusive work goes beyond representation — it creates measurable social relevance and broader participation through light.
Future Focus
This criterion recognises entries that demonstrate visionary thinking and long-term relevance. It evaluates how the work anticipates emerging environmental, technological, or societal shifts and proposes adaptable, resilient, or transformative approaches to lighting design.
Future focus is not just innovation — it is the capacity to shape what comes next.
Entry Requirements
All entries undergo a two-round evaluation process to assess how effectively they address the selected judging criteria. As the Lux Futurum Global Recognition Program is not a competition, entries are not ranked against one another. Each entry is assessed independently and recognised solely on its individual merit. The organisers reserve the right to determine eligibility, interpret the criteria, and make final recognition decisions at their sole discretion.
1. Title and Type
Each submission must include the following information:
- Title
A clear and descriptive title identifying the concept, product, or project. - Type
An indication of whether the submission represents a conceptual or realised product or project, consistent with the defined entry categories.
2. Written Descriptions
Each submission must include two written descriptions, which will be used during the first and second rounds of evaluation respectively. These descriptions may also be used, in whole or in part, for promotional, editorial, or educational purposes if the entry is selected for recognition.
- Headline Description
A concise overview summarising the intent and primary criteria addressed by the submission.
Maximum length: 280 characters. - Detailed Description
Criteria-specific overviews summarising how the submission addresses the selected judging criteria and contributes to the future of lighting design.
Maximum length: 280 characters.
3. Criteria-Specific Overviews
Entrants must select the relevant judging criteria and provide a brief overview for each selected criterion. Only criteria demonstrably addressed by the submission should be included.
- Environmental or Social Stewardship – Overview of environmental or social impact through lighting
- Health and Well-being – Overview of contributions to health and well-being
- Innovation – Overview of novel or unconventional approaches
- Professional Excellence – Overview of professional or interdisciplinary significance
- Technological Advancement – Overview of technological integration or advancement
- User Experience – Overview of experiential or user-centred qualities
- Future Focus – Overview explaining what makes the submission forward-looking or future-oriented
4. Visual Documentation – Images
Each submission must include a minimum of four (4) images and may include up to a maximum of ten (10) images. All images must be submitted in JPG or JPEG format and must measure at least 1200 pixels on the shortest side.
- Concept images
Acceptable formats include hand-drawn sketches, isometric views, measured drawings, diagrams, 3D CGI, realistic renderings, or prototype photographs. Images must clearly and accurately represent the underlying concept. - Product/Project images
Photographs must depict the realised product or project and provide a truthful and accurate representation of the final outcome. While professional photography is strongly encouraged, images must not be digitally manipulated to alter lighting conditions, colour balance, sharpness, exposure, or material qualities.
The organisers reserve the right to remove manipulated images or disqualify entries that materially misrepresent the submitted work.
5. Visual Documentation – Videos (Optional but Recommended)
Entrants should provide an approximately 2-minute video featuring a person speaking about the entry and highlighting the key aspects of the submission. The video will also assist in assessing the entrant’s ability to present confidently before a live audience.
6. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Declaration
Any submission that incorporates artificial intelligence at any stage of the design, development, visualisation, or presentation process must explicitly declare its use. Entrants are strongly encouraged to specify the nature and scope of AI involvement and, where applicable, the tools utilised.
This declaration supports transparency, ethical practice, and informed evaluation, while contributing to broader industry understanding of the role of AI in shaping the future of lighting design. Disclosure of AI usage does not disadvantage an entry; however, failure to disclose may result in disqualification or removal from consideration.
Preparation List
- Social media handles
- Headline description of your project, idea or person limited to 280 characters.
- A description of up to 280 characters for each of the relevant judging criteria.
- A minimum of four (4) images are required to support your entry up to a maximum of ten (10) images in total is allowed for a single idea, project or people entry. All images must only be in JPG/JPEG file formats and at least 1200 pixels wide on the shortest side. Please use meaningful file names consisting of “entrytitle_detail.jpg”
- Entrants should provide a maximum 2 minute-long video which should be a person speaking about the entry and identifying the key points of the submission. The video will also help assess the entrants capability to present in front of a live audience.
LuFu Terms & Conditions
Responsibility for materials submitted
- Entrants are responsible for the legality, originality, and copyright of the work submitted in their name.
- All submissions should be in English. Video submissions can be in the entrants’ native languages with appropriate subtitles in English.
- By submitting their work, entrants agree that they will not upload and / or distribute any document which is confidential, defamatory, obscene, breaking personal privacy regulations, infringing copyright and intellectual property rights, violating legal rights of any party or proprietary to a brand, an individual or a company (except for the person submitting the work in his/her/their name). LuFu reserves the right to delete any offending material and remove the entries.
- Entrants submitting their work through the website cannot use false contact information details or identifying details, impersonating any person in order to mislead the organisers.
- By submitting an entry, entrants grant a non-exclusive permission to LuFu to use their name, entrants’ image and details of the work submitted for publicity and marketing purposes. Entrants will be given full credit wherever possible. Example usages include articles in newspapers / magazines / websites / social media posts / blogs; printed materials at the ceremonies; prints at specific exhibitions; projected and on-screen visuals at specific ceremonies; videos and photos displaying winners; related case studies, books and presentations.
- Entrants keep full ownership of the work itself and the organisers will always seek their permission about any licensable activity outside the scope described above.
- No responsibility can be taken for entries that are lost, delayed, corrupted, damaged, misdirected or incomplete or which cannot be delivered for any technical reason. Proof of submission will not be accepted as proof of receipt.
We publish your work
When you submit an entry, you are granting LuFu a worldwide and universal license to promote, publish, reproduce, use, host, store, and modify (changes may be required so your content works with our sizing and other constraints), show to the public, and to be shared by followers of LuFu or associated services. This license you allocate to LuFu includes publishing in digital, print, 3D, holographic or any other form of publishing. This right to publish does not stop if you stop using our services (once it's out there, there is no turning back as per the nature of publishing). You are responsible for having the permission to license any content submitted to LuFu.
Other requirements
Entrants of all winning entries are required to travel to China on the relevant dates for presenting their entries at the main event. Travel sponsorships along with a trophy/medal will be provided for all winning entries. However, this does not include any monetary compensation or prize. For a winning entry by a group or an organisation, only ONE (1) person will be sponsored to travel and represent the group or organisation.