IALD President Carla Wilkins Pushes for Lighting Designers to Become Essential Members of Every Project Team

PARIS — Carla Wilkins has a bold vision for the lighting design profession.

The President of the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) wants qualified lighting designers to be viewed as essential members of every design and construction team—alongside architects and electrical engineers.

Speaking with your humble editor during IALD Enlighten Europe in Paris, Carla said the profession must do more to demonstrate its value outside the lighting community.

“We have to step out of our bubble,” she said.

For Carla, that means engaging developers, investors, contractors, and building owners where they gather, rather than limiting conversations to lighting conferences and industry events.

Making the Case for Lighting Design

Carla believes every project presents an opportunity to prove the value of professional lighting design.

“We are the advocates,” she explained. “We prove that lighting design is a valuable profession.”

She argues that lighting designers contribute far more than fixture selections and calculations. They influence occupant experience, project performance, visual comfort, and the overall success of a building.

As a result, she would like to see qualified lighting designers become a standard part of project teams worldwide. In a perfect world, that designer would be a professional member of IALD.

Building Recognition for Qualified Designers

Carla acknowledged that formal recognition of lighting designers remains a long-term goal.

She pointed to the Certified Lighting Designer (CLD) credential as an important step toward establishing global standards for professional competence. However, she noted that different countries have different legal and professional requirements, making worldwide recognition a complex challenge.

“The first step is that a qualified lighting designer should be part of every construction and design team,” she said.

Carla emphasized that progress will come through steady, incremental steps rather than sweeping changes. Legislation in specific markets is a long-term goal.

Strengthening a Global Association

Carla began her two-year term as IALD President in January 2026. During that time, she hopes to strengthen local chapters, expand global engagement and awareness, and create stronger connections between members and the association.

She described IALD as an organization adapting to a rapidly changing professional environment.

“The digital age has created completely new challenges,” she said.

At the same time, she believes recent bylaw changes and ongoing investments are positioning the association for future growth.

Investing in the Future

Although industry events continue to evolve, Carla said IALD remains committed to investing in conferences, member services, and initiatives that support the profession.

“You have to invest in your future,” she said. 

That philosophy applies not only to IALD but also to the lighting design profession itself.

For Carla, the ultimate objective is clear. The profession must continue demonstrating its value until project teams no longer question whether a lighting designer should be involved.

Instead, the question becomes why one wasn’t included from the start.

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