IALD Credentialing Task Force Launches Survey to Test Validity of Globally Applicable Certification in Architectural Lighting Design

The International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) convened a credentialing task force to assess prospective domains of practice and qualifications for an international architectural lighting design certification. This assessment will be conducted via online survey, and is a key component of the task force’s efforts.

The survey launched March 1, 2012 and is testing the validity of the task force’s work. Outreach to date has included a broad group of stakeholders: IALD and Professional Lighting Designers’ Association (PLDA) members, members of other lighting associations, and related building/design industry professionals from around the world. Building and design professionals who are familiar with the scope of work associated with architectural lighting design should weigh in by taking the 10-minute survey located online here.

IALD’s rationale for the certification is that legislative and code-making bodies are looking for a statement of validity for lighting designers that will provide legitimacy. My question is: Why can’t this need–at least for North America–be satisfied by the Lighting Certified (LC) designation? I made a huge investment to become an LC, as did thousands of other people in the industry–not to mention the industry as a whole and the U.S. taxpayer, which helped fund its development through the Environmental Protection Agency. Are these certifications supposed to compete or complement, and if so, how?

Craig DiLouie

See Full Bio