New York City, March 2025 – The Illuminating Engineering Society of New York City (IESNYC) is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2025 IESNYC Student Lighting Competition. This annual event celebrates the creativity and ingenuity of students from New York City’s top design, architecture, and engineering programs, challenging them to push the boundaries of lighting design.
This year’s competition theme, A Sight for Sore Eyes, invited students to explore the growing concerns around visual discomfort caused by modern LED technology. Participants developed three-dimensional design studies that addressed issues such as glare, flicker, and spectral spikes while creating thoughtful lighting solutions that prioritize viewer comfort. The competition attracted over 130 projects, with approximately 200 students competing individually and in teams.
The competition culminated in a live exhibition at the 2025 LEDucation Trade Show and Conference at the New York Hilton Midtown on March 18–19, 2025. The projects were displayed throughout the event, with the awards ceremony taking place on March 18 at 5:00 PM.
“This competition is so much more than just an awards program—it’s a gateway for students to introduce themselves to the professional lighting industry,” said Craig Young, Lighting Designer at Ventresca Lighting Design and co-chair of the Student Lighting Competition. “By showcasing their creative work and innovative thinking, students not only gain recognition but also make invaluable connections that can shape their careers. Hosting the exhibition at LEDucation allows us to bring young talent directly into the industry conversation.”
2025 Student Lighting Competition Winners
Grand Prize ($5,000) – Soluna
Veronica Gonzalez, Clay Mohrman, Callie Walton – New York School of Interior Design (NYSID
Second Place ($2,500) – Harbor Glow
Nidhi Jairam – Pratt Institute
Third Place ($1,000) – Untitled Lamp
Nazakat Adigozalova, Chiziterem Maduka – Parsons School of Design
Honorable Mentions:
Dayglow – George Batska – Pratt Institute
The Iris – Paulaine Lockward, Gabrielle Nunez, Jiun Lee – School of Visual Art
Synthetic Glimmer – Estefania Martinez – Pratt Institute
Glare Guard – Riddhi Doshi, Aronda Alvarez Martell, Shane Moan – NYSID
Billow Beacon – Zara Braun – Pratt Institute
Images for the winners are available here.
Spotlight on the Grand Prize Winner: Soluna
Soluna, a dining table luminaire, addresses the disruptive glare of phone flashlights in dimly lit restaurants. Designed to balance task lighting with ambient glow, its dual-mode system seamlessly shifts between precise illumination and atmospheric radiance. Featuring a precision-engineered optic and retractable flashlight handle, Soluna enhances visual comfort while preserving ambiance.
Reflecting on their win, the team shared:
Clay Mohrman: “Everyone’s seen that moment when a phone flashlight disrupts the mood of a space. We wanted to solve that issue without compromising the atmosphere.”
Veronica Gonzalez: “This competition reminded us why we work in lighting. It’s about solving everyday problems that quietly shape how we experience the world.”
Callie Walton: “With Soluna, we aimed to restore the intimacy of dining while supporting both clarity and connection by balancing task and ambient light seamlessly.
A Look Toward the Future
The 2025 IESNYC Student Lighting Competition marked its 24th year and the second year hosted by LEDucation.Shaun Fillion, LC, Educator IALD CLCP and co-chair of the Student Lighting Competition, expressed his excitement for the future: “We’re grateful to DLFNY for providing us with the perfect venue to introduce these amazing students to the lighting industry. This year, our committee allowed students to vote on next year’s theme. IESNYC looks forward to next year’s competition as well, where everything old will be new again. We hope to see you there.”
The competition continues to foster innovation, collaboration, and education in the lighting industry. The IESNYC Student Lighting Competition is dedicated to its founder, Patricia DiMaggio, whose vision for education and community has shaped the competition into the esteemed event it is today.
The judges for the 2025 competition were Susannah Gilbard, Tony Esposito, Thuy Mai Thanh, and Piyusha Talathi. The competition committee was co-chaired by Craig Young and Shaun Fillion.
For more information about the IESNYC Student Lighting Competition, visit www.studentlightingcompetition.com or www.iesnyc.org.
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