On 15th October, The Society of Light and Lighting (SLL) welcomed teams of lighting professionals for the annual SLL Ready Steady Light competition, in association with Rose Bruford College and IALD.
SLL Ready Steady Light is one of the Society’s flagship events. The competition provides a space for creativity and play, a return to the basics of design and engineering. Each year, the SLL welcomes teams of lighting designers, manufacturers, and students to create external lighting installations, using a limited selection of equipment and in only 180 minutes. The teams must overcome challenges without a budget and within time constraints.
As always, there were three awards up for grabs. A panel of expert judges decide the winners of the SLL Technical and Artistic Award, supported by the IALD, with the coveted Peer Award decided by the contestants taking part.
Team Nulty Lighting led by Wim Wichaikhamjorn, with Charlie Magee-Wood, Emilija Sotir, Sean Fraser and Tom Hall won the 2026 Technical Award, judged by Carolina Florian, SLL President and Dr Edward Barrett Lecturer and Researcher: MSc Light and Lighting, University College London.
SLL Ready Steady Light 2026 Technical Award: Nulty Lighting being presented their award by Carolina Florian and their installation Inverse.
SLL Ready Steady Light 2026 Artistic Award: dpa Lighting Consultants Oxfordshire being presented their award by Lora Kaleva and their installation Hide and Welcome.
The 2026 Peer Prize, a much-coveted award was judged by the contestants’ taking part was won by MA LIP Rose Bruford, led by Franks Fix with Emma Toft, Harry Mullin and Liam Schnitzer.
Congratulating the teams Carolina Florian CEng, MCIBSE, MSLL, President SLL said
“This much-loved event brings together creativity, collaboration and the incredible talent within our lighting community. Always a reminder that some of the most memorable lighting experiences come from curiosity, experimentation and teamwork. Congratulations to all the participants and organisers for another fantastic event!"
With Lora Kaleva MSLL IALD commenting
“It was inspiring to see that Ready Steady Light is as popular as ever. It’s a wonderful event that stimulates imagination and creativity and encourages teamwork. Congratulations to all the participants this year, who made sure that the judges had a hard time choosing the best installations!”
This year, SLL Ready Steady Light welcomed 2 teams from the UCL Light and Lighting MSc, and a team from Rose Bruford College, as well as a number of new graduates. It provides an opportunity for students and graduates to gain some hands-on experience, experimenting with lighting techniques and working alongside practising lighting professionals.
The Society is committed to providing students and lighting professionals with an opportunity to have fun and work together, with the added element of some friendly competition.
Students enrolled in Rose Bruford College's BA Creative Lighting Control Course support the event, allowing them to see lighting professionals working in this unique environment. The Society would like to give special thanks to Molly Robinson and Paloma Vasquez joint Project Managers for the event, and their colleague Taylor Angell-Collins Technical Manager.
Ben Ratcliffe, Rose Bruford College said
“Rose Bruford College has once more warmly welcomed the SLL and representatives from the lighting community to our campus for the event; Ready Steady Light.
Our students from Design for Performance and Stage Management designed and ran the event, not only enjoying the experience, but learning much about working with external clients and professionals. We look forward to working with SLL on this project next year.”
If you have any questions about Ready Steady Light 2026, please email [email protected].
Photos credited to Graham Baker @grahambakergbp.