An illumination device (14), such as the type used for vehicle exterior applications, includes a housing (30) with light collimating and spreading portions (40, 42), a circuit card assembly (32) with one or more light sources (34) (e.g., LEDs), and a lens (36). The illumination device may be arranged so that light emitted by the LEDs reflects off of a metalized interior surface of the light collimating portion in a collimated fashion and travels towards the light spreading portion, the collimated light then reflects off of a metalized interior surface of the light spreading portion in a spread fashion and travels towards the lens, and the spread light passes through the lens and travels towards an intended target region. The illumination device may be installed, for example, in a rear hatch (16) of a vehicle (10) and used in conjunction with a backup camera.