Since 2000, the New York City Section of the IES has invited students from New York City Art and Design schools to participate in a city wide design competition. The competition empowers students to explore light as an art form, demonstrate light as a stimulus, and prove light as a valuable medium.

Every year, students in lighting, architecture, interior design, art, product design, photography and electrical engineering programs have submitted projects, resulting in a diverse showcase of ideas and interpretations on a single theme. This year’s challenge is to select a sound and develop an abstract lighting composition, constructed of your choice of materials, to convey to the observer the unique characteristics of your selection. All projects must have a title, incorporate at least one electric light source, and be easily transportable in a NYC cab. Although this project is about sound, it cannot contain actual audio elements, your sound must be conveyed visually.

Registration deadline is 23 February 2009. Visit the site to learn more.