Lighting Designers Embrace Darkness at Enlighten Americas 2025
The International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) held its annual Enlighten Americas conference from October 8–11 in Tucson, Arizona, focusing on the theme of darkness in lighting design. Keynote speaker Ruskin Hartley, CEO of DarkSky International, emphasized the importance of preserving natural darkness, sparking thoughtful discussions throughout the event. Participants engaged in various sessions that tackled industry standards, including controversial lighting codes for outdoor spaces, while also celebrating moments of camaraderie over social events featuring food trucks and even a donkey named Coco. This year’s conference marked a transition in leadership with the handover from outgoing president Andrea Hartranft to Carla Wilkins, and set the stage for the next gathering in Austin, Texas, in 2026, as designers left with renewed purpose and community connection.
