We've all heard much about the benefits of LED light bulbs, from the money saved by using them instead of traditional incandescent bulbs to the time saved on maintenance - as LEDs tend to last significantly longer than other lighting options.

Now the humble LED is set to receive its very own symbol to set it apart from other illuminating solutions, after a collaborative workshop between Cree and The Noun Project unveiled plans to champion the technology.

Ginny Skalski, social media specialist at semiconductor manufacturer Cree, commented: "By collaborating with The Noun Project, we now have a universal symbol that represents LED lighting, filling a significant void in the energy efficient lighting landscape.

"As Cree continues leading the way for LED lighting adoption, this new icon will allow the public and the media to stop using antiquated Edison or swirly CFL bulb designs to symbolise lighting," she added.

The new LED lighting symbol features a three-dimensional diamond shape emitting a beam of light from the top, which is markedly different from the universal symbol for a generic light bulb, a choice The Noun Project co-founder Edward Boatman said was deliberate.

"One of the core themes that emerged from the group discussions was that LED is a radically different light source from any of its predecessors," he explained. "Therefore, we all felt it was appropriate and necessary to break free from any past 'light bulb' design elements. LED lighting needed to have its own distinct and identifiable mark."

Ms Skalski said in a blog post for Cree that the company hopes the new symbol becomes the go-to image for energy efficient lights.

"We'd love to see the new symbol for LED lighting become as universal as the first aid or no smoking symbols," she added.

The graphic designers involved in the project also came up with new symbols for other green technology, including solar farms, solar panels, biofuel and energy charging stations for electric vehicles. The recently unveiled image for sustainable energy features a power cable in the form of the infinity figure-of-eight symbol.