For the students in Professor Jae Yong Suk's "Designing with Light" course, this question served as the foundation for this year’s Moodlight Challenge: Designing Luminaires for Human Well-Being. Over the span of ten weeks, 13 students engaged in rapid prototyping using paper and cardboard, eventually transitioning to CAD, laser cutting, and 3D printing to craft their final designs. The results are a celebration of diverse perspectives on well-being, expressed through luminaires inspired by nature, architecture, and the students' cultural backgrounds. An esteemed panel of judges—including Daniel Chung from Maltani Lighting, Neha Sivaprasad from Sol Light Studio, and Karen Park from UC Davis—conducted three rounds of deliberation to select this year’s winners and honorable mentions.
Special thanks to our sponsor, Maltani Lighting, for providing students with materials and covering travel expenses for our three winners to attend this August's IES Conference in Denver, where they will tour the downtown area, attend lighting workshops and network with industry professionals, and showcase their projects at the Illumination Awards Gala.
Honorable Mentions
TIDE by Hailey Allen
Inspired by the free-flowing movement of ocean waves, Tide captures the gentle rhythm of the sea to create a soft, calming presence. The design evokes the mesmerizing feeling of watching the ocean and the warmth of waves moving under sunlight. Through its flowing shape and light, Tide brings a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere into any space.
GREENHOUSE GLOW by Mika Eloyan
While the industrial structure of a greenhouse can seem harsh, Mika reimagines it as a bridge between the natural and manmade worlds. Just as a greenhouse is designed to nurture life, his luminaire nurtures the mind by replicating that same soft, diffused glow beautifully encased in acrylic. This pendant light transforms its surroundings into a sanctuary that feels both grounded and ethereal.
CHRYSALIS by Inbar Schwartz
The Chrysalis explores organic geometry and biomimicry, resulting in a form that feels grown rather than manufactured. By using rice paper and rattan strips, the design remains lightweight while mimicking the delicate, fibrous texture of a butterfly's cocoon. The piece stirs the imagination by evoking the quiet mystery of metamorphosis, seamlessly bringing the wonders of the natural world into the home.
Winners
CHROMOCLIPSE by Olivia McCutcheon
From the astronomical discoveries of Galileo to the starlit canvases of Van Gogh, the cosmos has long served as a profound source of inspiration and tranquility for humanity. CHROMOCLIPSE captures this essence with an outer dome textured like the lunar surface and a glowing core at its center, reminiscent of a star. By integrating moveable layers and customizable color-changing options, this interactive luminaire invites users to engage directly with light to create a personalized atmosphere of relaxation.
NOCTURNE by Gian Jenna Ayson
A love song to music, the Nocturne pendant is designed to heighten the listener’s sensory experience. Its design features legato shapes that mirror the undulating soundwaves of moody melodies, punctuated by staccato disks that pay homage to vinyl records. By selecting colors that match the emotional atmosphere of the music, users can transform every listening session into a curated, multi-sensory journey.
HAVEN by Mara Alagon
Designed for moments of overstimulation and sensory overload, the Haven table lamp offers a calm and gentle presence. Thin wood veneer softly diffuses warm light to create a contained glow that avoids harsh brightness or visual noise. By reducing glare and visual intensity, Haven supports a sense of ease and quiet re-entry into the world after overwhelming experiences.