Since the DarkSky program launched in 2002 as the Fixture Seal of Approval (FSA), DarkSky International has made tweaks to its criteria over the years, but the most recent updates – announced in April – are notable because the program has expanded the list of categories to include Residential, Commercial, Pedestrian Comfort, and Wildlife-Tuned Luminaires….
By Jeff Thomas, Senior Director of Product Management for Lighting, ADI | Snap One It is easy to feel how lighting can enhance a space, both indoors and outdoors. However, understanding exactly how landscape lighting – by using the right fixtures, positioned and automated properly – can transform an area into a stunning recreational space…
By Emily Lai, LC A career in architectural lighting design is an exciting and rewarding path that blends technical expertise with artistic vision. Lighting designers shape the way people experience spaces, integrating illumination seamlessly into architecture to enhance aesthetics, functionality, and energy efficiency. However, the career trajectory of a lighting designer often presents limitations, leading…
Lighting showrooms that haven’t felt the heat of competition from their local home centers – most notably The Home Depot and Lowe’s – because they have relied on having more knowledgeable staff in comparison should pay attention to the strategies the two retail giants laid out in their most recent earnings reports on May 20…
Just under one year ago, the Washington DC Smart Streetlight Project was completed to rave reviews. Considered to be the nation’s largest streetlight modernization P3 project to date, the project involved 75,000 streetlights designed to enhance public safety, improve energy efficiency, and preserve the historic aesthetic — plus it features a state-of-the-art, smart-controlled network. ENGIE…
By David LaVigna – dlightworks.co After 25+ years in lighting, I’ve learned that our industry doesn’t really do “slow and steady.” We leap. We pivot. We reinvent. What was once about watts and fixture counts has become a high-stakes intersection of technology, wellness, data, and design. And as we stand on the edge of another…
One of the challenges for electrical contractors and lighting specifiers is business development. Inevitably business is generated because someone has decided to initiate a project. Rarely are contractors and specifiers able to reach out, share an idea, and then the “suspect” (in sales vernacular), upgraded to a prospect (meaning that they have interest), and then…
At Lightfair in Las Vegas this week, the DALI Alliance and the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) announced a strategic collaboration aimed at advancing the development, adoption, and harmonization of educational initiatives around global lighting standards. This partnership brings together two of the industry’s most respected organizations, uniting their efforts to promote innovation and best practices…
By Kaitlin Burke, Lead System Engineer at Cooper Lighting Solutions & Rajat Bhayana, Lighting Product Manager at Cooper Lighting Solutions Technology is rapidly reshaping the lighting design industry, offering new ways to streamline workflows, enhance aesthetics, and optimize energy efficiency. In 2025, lighting professionals will have more tools than ever to balance creativity, functionality, budgets, and project timelines. Among the…
David Shiller, President of Lighting Solution Development, recently reviewed the new Fundamentals of Energy Efficient Lighting and Controls book from The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). Now available through the AEE Bookstore, the comprehensive guide is designed to support lighting practitioners, architects, engineers, facility managers, energy consultants, and students in navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of…
Factory Lamps & Industrial Lights: How to Determine Appropriate Lighting Factory lamps and industrial lights are unique forms of commercial lighting. These elements provide an enhanced illumination profile that focuses on manufacturing, sorting, and picking functions. Industrial illumination is typically seen in factories and warehouses, but it could be appropriate in other settings. What Are…
This week, Nathan Frampton, CEO of Fanimation, released a public memo to the lighting and ceiling fan community, calling for industry support on a proposal for a temporary tax credit to counteract the recently imposed tariffs on China. Frampton’s interest is rooted in the fact that nearly all residential ceiling fans sold in the U.S….
[Note: Interviews were conducted prior to the most recent announcement by the Trump administration that raised the tariff from goods made in China to 125%] Every lighting distributor in the U.S. carries products made in China, and many carry at least one product line from Canada. Max Cohen of 2nd Avenue and Meyda Lighting –…
By David LaVigna – dlightworks.co What once felt like a boutique lighting expo focused on the early days of LED innovation has now evolved into a heavyweight contender on the North American trade show circuit. Over the past five years, LEDucation has gone from niche to necessary, and if you were in New York this…
In this Q&A interview, DesignPlusLight founder and principal designer Sanjit Bahra explains the benefits of offering bespoke product design and what support this gives to lighting manufacturers. Q. What is your inspiration behind product design? A: Product design is very much about fulfilling a need. I have built on the skills and experiences gained throughout…
By Kevin Coleman As 2025 unfolds, the lighting market continues to struggle with low growth and slowing volumes. While the tariff turmoil could be a boost to prices, as higher costs are partially passed on, the industry continues to contract. The torrid pace over the last several years of companies closing and merging in all…