The IES Illumination Awards program recognizes individuals for professionalism, ingenuity, and originality in lighting design based on the individual merit of each entry. Judges are selected from a broad professional spectrum, representing knowledge of lighting and design excellence. The judging system is entirely based on how well the lighting design meets the program criteria. The Illumination Awards program is not a competition.

The Illumination Award for Interior Lighting Design sponsored by Edwin F. Guth, the Illumination Award for Outdoor Lighting Design sponsored by Cooper Lighting Solutions, the Control Innovation Award sponsored by the Lighting Controls Association, and the Energy and Environmental Design Award are parallel programs created to recognize outstanding lighting design.

Illumination Award recipients will be honored at the Illumination Awards Gala held during the IES Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, August 6, 2020.