You light up my life…
In this particular case we are not referring to a song but how public lighting can be improved upon and used in more innovative ways.

The 2010-2011 Concept Lumière Urbaine (CLU) contest sponsor seeks to:

“…give new meaning to public lighting and provoke the emergence of sensitivity to the need of mankind to benefit from the available light, to share and take ownership.

“The boundary between street lighting and the user can disappear to become the service point of luminous energy to the whole community. Public lighting is a response to the needs of human beings, and your solutions will be the answer.”

What’s your idea?
If you have a concept that can transform the idea of what public lighting can mean and do then this contest is for you.

The contest theme is “Light for Humanity.” There are several key points that you should consider when designing your lighting creations.

According to the contest guidelines your entry should address how public lighting can serve as the following:

* A central gathering point
* A source and connection accessible to the entire community
* A realization that supports the vitality of social exchange
* A viable alternative to the use of other fuels (gasoline, wood, etc.).
* An economical design with regard to materials and components ….(3R), that is also aesthetically and culturally meaningful

General contest guidelines

* Anyone who is connected to or is interested in the industry of exterior ….lighting is eligible to enter
* If you are entering as part of a design firm you must have less than 5 ….years experience
* If you are entering as part of a team your firm must not have more ….than 5 employees

The rules state that your product/lighting submission may incorporate the following subject matter:

* Layout of public exterior spaces
* Objects or luminous systems for these spaces
* Advancement of the general knowledge concerning exterior lighting
* Development of the collective consciousness pertaining to a quality exterior lighting

Judging and Prizes
Entries will be judged according to the merits of each entry’s excellence in aesthetics, technology, environmental solutions, and theoretical application.

The following awards will be given to the winners:

* First Prize: $2,500 or a 12 weeks training course with the ….industrial design and engineering teams of Philips Lumec.
* Second Prize: $1,500
* Third Prize: $1,000

Contest links and other information
The following links provide additional contest details:

Official website
Full contest guidelines and rules
Online registration form

The deadline for entries is May 2, 2011. This contest is free to enter.

Illuminate yourself with graphic design school classes
Graphic design college can be the starting point of a career in interior and exterior design. You will learn the principles of using colors effectively, how to illustrate and make your ideas come to life, and the importance of artistic interpretation and technique.

If you are a graphic designer or involved in city planning, continued education classes are available at your graphic design school to help in the areas of design work.

If you are planning to attend a graphic design college, speak to your school counselor about the various career training options available to you.