For those of you that attended darc night, the culmination of the darc awards process, I hope that you enjoyed it. I have been blown away by the response to the peer-to-peer concept of the darc awards making this a truly democratic awards programme. Over 450 entries and over 5,000 votes from the lighting design community has proved that the lighting industry - both decorative and architectural - was eager to embrace a fresh, subversive awards format. This alternative approach was replicated during darc night. Dress code was creative not black tie. Street food (no tables) and drinks were free all night and there was no comedian (unless you count me fluffing my lines!). The visual interest was provided by twelve inspirational installations created by the lighting design studio and manufacturer partners that bought into what we are trying to achieve and I want to thank them for

their tremendous creativity above and beyond the call of duty. Empowering lighting designers by making them eligible for free tickets to darc night if they vote (as well as interior designers and architects if they enter) appears to have struck a chord with everyone out there and we will be continuing with this initiative in the coming years for more awards. If you are a designer this event is for you and changes the dynamic of most awards where you have to wait to be invited by a manufacturer or fork out yourself. Something that is out of the grasp of many junior designers or small practices.We look forward to welcoming you to many more events that we are organising and I hope you have found inspiration in what you have seen so far.

Paul James
Director, darc awards