Joining the IALD

Welcome to the Global Community.

Thank you for your interest in joining the International Association of Lighting Designers. Founded in 1969, the IALD is an internationally recognized non-profit organization that supports a network of lighting design professionals worldwide. It strives to set the global standard for lighting design excellence by promoting the advancement and recognition of professional lighting designers.

The Association's vision is to create a better world through leadership and excellence in lighting design and to cultivate the universal acknowledgment and appreciation of the Power of Light in human life.

The Association's mission is to advance the global lighting design profession through leadership and advocacy and serve the members by promoting education, community, and engagement.

The IALD’s ongoing marketing and public relations efforts, its annual International Lighting Design Awards program, the development of educational conferences, and the IALD committees that actively address lighting quality issues, energy conservation, and business standards all contribute to achieving this mission.

Membership Categories

The IALD approves its members into four categories:

  • Members ➠
  • Design Members ➠
  • Professional Members ➠
  • Fellow Members ➠

Voting Rights

The Design, Professional, and Fellow membership categories can vote on important matters affecting the organization’s future.

While the Member category contributes significantly to our community worldwide, they do not have voting rights.

Membership Requirements, Eligibility, and Application

Members in all categories shall subscribe to the Association's mission, vision, and goals.

Additionally, voting members (Design, Professional, and Fellow) shall sign and attest to a written agreement to abide by the IALD Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct as part of the membership application and the yearly membership renewal.

Members

Candidates for the Member category must complete the online application along with a non-refundable application fee and dues as specified on the application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The Member category is open to all individuals interested in lighting design and the IALD global community. This includes lighting design students and interns, lighting educators, recently graduated pre-practitioners, and lighting designers in the early stages of their careers.

Annual dues are $200 USD for Members. Students, Educators, and Emerging Designers are eligible for recurring discounts (see below). Membership application fees are $30 USD.

✚ Apply for IALD Membership Today

Professional Members

Candidates for Professional Member must complete an online application and meet the following criteria. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

  • The Candidate shall have, at the time the application is submitted, at least five (5) years of experience in the field of architectural lighting design at the job of a senior designer role or above.
  • The Candidate's experience should include senior roles in Concept Design, Detailed Design, and construction phase activities.

The process for application for Professional membership is outlined in the Professional Membership Application Procedures reference document.

There is a template (in PowerPoint file format) that should be used to prepare the application portfolio and the projects within: Professional Portfolio Template. Portfolio reviews by the membership committee are strictly anonymous.

Annual dues are $200 USD for Professional Members. Membership application fees are $30 USD.

✚ Apply for IALD Professional Membership Today

Design Members

Candidates for Design Member must complete an online application and include the following materials. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

  1. A resume/c.v. including professional experience and employment history demonstrating at least three (3) years of lighting design experience.
  2. A list of recently completed projects on which the Candidate served as an active designer.
  3. A brief profile of the Candidate’s company/employer.

Annual dues are $200 USD for Design Members. Membership application fees are $30 USD.

✚ Apply for IALD Design Membership Today

Fellow Members

Acceptance into the IALD College of Fellows recognizes the achievements of and honors a model architectural lighting designer who has made a significant contribution to the international design/build community. Fellowship also acknowledges outstanding contributions to the IALD as an association.

A nominee for Fellow membership must have the following qualifications:

  • Be a Professional member of the IALD for a minimum of ten (10) years.
  • Be a member in good standing with the Association.

To be accepted, a candidate will have made valuable contributions to the lighting design profession that may include the following criteria:

  • Contribution to the IALD
  • Achievements in the field of lighting design
  • Published works
  • Awards
  • Research
  • Service to the profession in the field of education
  • Advancement of public awareness of the profession
  • Service to the community at large

Annual dues are $200 USD for Fellow Members. After nomination acceptance, membership application fees are $30 USD.

✔ Nominate a Fellow Today

Eligible Discounts

Individuals who meet specific conditions regarding their role and experience in the lighting design industry can receive reductions to their membership fees.

Emerging Designers

Membership discounts are open to lighting designers new to the profession, recent college graduates, and those with less than three (3) years of experience in the lighting industry.

Those pursuing an emerging professional discount must complete an online application (only complete applications will be considered) for the Member category and include the following materials:

  • A resume/c.v. including professional experience/employment history and educational background showing when the Candidate entered the lighting design profession.
  • A brief profile of the Candidate’s company/employer.

Discounted pricing remains accessible for the first three (3) consecutive years after joining the IALD as a Member.

Educators

Membership discounts are open to educators of lighting and related subjects who are in good standing at an accredited institution (i.e., technical school, design school, college, or university) offering studies in lighting design or related fields.

Candidates for discounted pricing as an educator must complete an online application (only complete applications will be considered) for the Member category and include the following materials:

  • Academic/faculty identification or commensurate employer-provided documentation is required to verify current employment status.

Students and Interns

Reduced pricing is open to full and part-time students in good standing at an accredited institution (i.e., technical school, design school, college, university) pursuing studies in lighting design or related fields.

Student membership is also open to all interns working in the field of lighting design.

Candidates for discounted pricing as a student or intern must complete an online application (only complete applications will be considered) for the Member category and include the following materials:

  • A copy of the current student identification or institution (confirmation of enrollment and completion date is required).
  • Discount pricing shall be applied for the length of the enrolled course. Further discounts for extended studies will require verification through student identification or institution confirmation of enrollment and completion date.

Upon completion of accredited courses, eligible student members will be offered the Emerging Professional discounted pricing following graduation.