The judging day for the product innovation section of the?Lighting Design Awards is either hotly anticipated or the?cause of a creeping sense of dread, depending on which side?of the table you're standing. For the judging panel, the two?days of product scrutiny provide a fascinating bird's eye?view of the great ideas and technological innovations?that will shape the industry in the coming year. For?the manufacturers who face a cross-examination?from this group of 'dragons', it's probably fair to say?the experience is slightly less enjoyable.
Our carefully selected panel of specifiers, endusers,?and photometry and controls specialists came?together to point, prod, dim and play with a selection of?interior and exterior luminaires, light sources and lighting?control products. After intense examination, they whittled down?105 entries to a shortlist of just 38 products and companies.
For the judges, the process provided a snapshot outlining where?the industry as a whole, and LEDs in particular, have progressed.?Rod Bastaple said: "The most significant aspect of the nominees?is their being directed at their product's light treatment and?perception, having moved on from the lumen-per-watt battle.?Obviously, the LED was the centre of the contemporary theme?but it was good to see a range of products aimed at a smooth?changeover from more established light sources."
