A method for making a light emitting structure including: determine desired light emitting characteristics; prepare a plurality of nanostructure composites, wherein the plurality of nanostructure composites are configured to provide the desired light emitting characteristics and are configured with predetermined excitation characteristics; selecting a light emission source based on the predetermined excitation characteristics; providing a substrate for the plurality of nanostructure composites; and applying the plurality of nanostructure composites to the substrate such that the plurality of nanostructure composites receive light from the light emission source. A light emitting structure including: a plurality of nanostructure composites, wherein the plurality of nanostructure composites are configured to provide predetermined light emitting characteristics and are configured with predetermined excitation characteristics; and a substrate for the plurality of nanostructure composites, wherein the plurality of nanostructure composites are applied to the substrate such that the plurality of nanostructure composites receive light from a light emission source having a spectrum that includes the predetermined excitation characteristics.