Following a rigorous evaluation process, an esteemed panel of judges identified DMF’s True 1 as a standout product that embodies ingenuity, design excellence and forward-thinking performance that no attendee should overlook.

This year’s independent panel — Charles Stone of Fisher Marantz Stone, Lisa Reed of Reed Burkett Lighting Design and Nayoun Ryu of Cline Bettridge Bernstein Lighting Design Inc. — brought a discerning eye to the selection, curating a group of 10 products that reflect the industry’s most compelling advancements in the industry.

Delivering more than 1,000 lumens with exceptional glare control, the True 1 downlight —defined by its precise 1-inch aperture — leverages an advanced three-stage optical system to achieve remarkable performance within an exceptionally compact form. The result is a refined and highly sophisticated lighting solution that sets a new benchmark for performance, adaptability, ease of installation and serviceability among small-aperture downlights on the market.

At the core of DMF’s latest modular evolution is a high-performance, interchangeable cartridge system, enabling seamless, on-site adjustments to both optics and correlated color temperature (CCT). By decoupling the light engine from the fixed architecture, the design advances DMF’s modular philosophy while ensuring precision aiming and enhanced flexibility during commissioning. Complementing this innovation is a fully serviceable DC-to-DC driver (DC regulator), accessible directly at the ceiling plane. This thoughtful configuration allows for maintenance, replacement or upgrades from below the ceiling — eliminating the need for disruptive access and significantly reducing long-term labor costs.

The True 1 is available in both Fixed and Adjustable configurations, with the Adjustable module offering 360-degree rotation and an industry-leading 35-degree lockable tilt for precise illumination control. A range of optical distributions (30-, 40-, and 50-degrees) provides designers with the versatility to tailor lighting to specific applications. Color temperature options span from 2400K to 4000K, including Warm Dim, all delivered at 93+ CRI to ensure exceptional color fidelity and visual comfort.

Every aspect of the True 1 is meticulously engineered to support the “quiet ceiling” aesthetic, prioritizing architectural clarity over visual distraction. Its specialized polycarbonate trim construction offers a seamless, lightweight integration that virtually disappears into the ceiling plane. In a deliberate departure from conventional multi-finish offerings, the fixture is available exclusively in a precision-tuned black finish to maximize glare absorption and minimizing visual presence, so the architecture remains the focus while the light itself recedes elegantly from view.

LEDucation will run April 14 and 15 at the New York Hilton Midtown in New York City. You can view True 1 at the DMF booth located in Americas Hall 1, booth 2402, 2404.

The X Series Downlights have been honored with a prestigious GOOD DESIGN® award, a testament to the product’s innovative design excellence.

Presented by the esteemed Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design and Metropolitan Arts Press Ltd., the annual GOOD DESIGN® Awards Program celebrates the world’s most forward-thinking industrial, product and graphic designs. For over seventy years, this program has fostered a renewed appreciation for contemporary design, honoring both products and the industry leaders in design who set new standards for products competing globally.

The essence of the GOOD DESIGN program is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of form, function and aesthetics — going beyond conventional boundaries to promote lasting product quality and a strong public presence.

Each submission is evaluated by the original 1950 criteria of innovation, technological advancement, materiality, construction, conceptual clarity, utility, energy efficiency and environmental sensitivity. 

DMF Lighting’s 2-inch modular downlights exemplify this ethos, offering unparalleled performance and effortless installation and serviceability. The inventive design features include tool-less, field-changeable trims, modules and optics, empowering designers with maximum flexibility and the ability to adjust projects onsite. The LED light engine modules, offered in downlight and adjustable configurations, deliver advanced optical performance in a compact footprint, while integrated drivers within the modules and a unique housing trap door ensure space efficiency and unprecedented ease of maintenance. 

The die-cast aluminum trims, available in a variety of styles and finishes — including custom colors — are fully interchangeable, allowing easy design changes onsite. Innovations such as the Precision Lock Collar guarantee flawless installation, eliminating common errors and streamlining the process for both drywall and millwork applications.

The modular system’s thoughtful design enables housings and modules to ship separately, supporting project timelines and minimizing onsite storage.

Sustainability is at the heart of the design, with compliance to California’s Title-24 JA8, ENERGY STAR® and Declare Listed standards for Living Building Challenge and LEED projects.

Notably, DMF Lighting was among the first to achieve Declare Listing, ensuring all product SKUs are free from toxins and harmful chemicals, and proudly bearing the Declare Label.

Complementing the downlights, the X Series includes a family of cylinders in pendant, surface-mount, and ADA-compliant wall-mount forms, all unified by consistent light quality, color and output for a cohesive look across a campus – both indoors and outdoors.  

View on the GOOD DESIGN Awards Website – https://gooddesignawards.org/project/x-series-downlights-2023/