2025 Design Awards
Call for Entry: November 25, 2024 - March 21, 2025
Eligibility Period: March 2024 - March 2025
Results Notification: Mid–March 2025
Elevate your work
Have your work seen by the best of the best. An international jury of design professionals will select the 2025 Design Awards winners.
Winning an Applied Arts Design Award can lead to new business, a career shift, and, most importantly, creative recognition across the industry. Winning entries will be published in the Design Awards Annual, alongside the 2025 Photography & Illustration winners, online in the Winners Gallery and the Awards archive.
International design studios and designers are eligible to enter their latest corporate design, interactive, editorial, packaging, promotional, and web/digital work into the 2025 Design Awards competition.
Enter today to continue to set the creative bar.
For current students, you are ONLY ELIGIBLE to enter the Student Awards Competition where work is judged alongside your peers at a similar level of experience.
Jury & Judging Process
Eligibility
Categories & Entry Fees
Entry Material Guidelines
How to Enter
Payment & Refunds
Winners
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact
Disclaimer
Design Awards Jury
Our Design Awards jury panel consists of 16 award-winning creatives working in the design industry today, both in Canada and abroad. They lend us their discerning eye and expertise and, in so doing, enable us to celebrate the best design in all its facets—whether editorial or environmental design. With their help, we continue to spotlight the best of the best.
Chris Allen
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Toronto, ON
Allen is an independent Creative Director and graphic designer with diverse knowledge of graphic applications in visual and brand identity, print & publication design, packaging, web and digital applications. He has worked with world-class brands, individuals and cultural institutions such as Asics, Cinerama Los Angeles, Sheikh Zayed Museum in Abu Dhabi, Mejuri, lululemon, Indigo, Gagosian Gallery, Google, Audi, and Reigning Champ. Prior to going out on his own Chris was a Creative Director at Bruce Mau Design, he was also a founding member of Inventory Magazine.
Amanda Blackwood
DIGITAL ART DIRECTOR
TARGET
St. John's NL
Creativity is at Amanda Blackwood's core, which is one of the reasons she found herself making a life on the east coast in Newfoundland. A place of colour, contrast, and complexity inspires her daily and manifests itself in her work. She is the lead on digital art direction and design for Target, Canada's inaugural Small Agency of the Year. Amanda has a passion for inclusive design and accessibility and has been an integral part of many award wins, including Strategy, Applied Arts, Communication Arts.
Eliane Cadieux
CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER, CO-FOUNDER
BESIDE
Montreal, QC
As the Co-founder and Chief Creative officer of BESIDE, Eliane is the guardian of the brand's vision. With over a decade of experience in communications and design she spans all facets of creation from print and web to video, objects, interior design, architecture and customer experience. In 2016 she fully embraced the BESIDE adventure alongside Jean-Daniel Petit and Guillaume Leblanc giving life to the first magazine. Over the years with BESIDE she developed a genuine passion for strategy intricately weaving identity not only through visuals and experience but also within projects dedicated to conservation.
Dejan Djuric
DESIGN DIRECTOR
ZULU ALPHA KILO
Toronto, ON
Dejan is the Design Director at Zulu Alpha Kilo, he has worked on brands such as Bell, Ikea, Mercedes, AAA, Bulk Barn, and Yellow Pages. Previously, as a designer, Dejan was awarded the title of Strategy's #1 Art Director. His work has been recognized at prestigious industry events like the Cannes Lions, the D&ADs, The One Show, LIAs, The ADCC, Strategy, and The Webby's.
Jonathan Herman
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
ONE HUNDRED COINS
Calgary, AB
Jonathan began his career at Pentagram New York. After his time stateside, he returned to Canada where he worked at various design and advertising firms bringing a thoughtful, concept-driven approach to clients large and small. In the time since his return Jonathan has worked on many of Calgary's most notable logos including Cenovus, Phil & Sebastian, Hoopla Donuts, the Calgary Airport Authority, and CIFF. He has been consistently recognized nationally and internationally by many design competitions and publications, including Communication Arts, Clios, D&AD, The One Show, Graphis, AR 100, the London International Awards and Applied Arts.
Marcelo Hong
DESIGN DIRECTOR
LEO BURNETT DESIGN
Toronto, ON
Marcelo is a designer specialized in brand identities, editorial, packaging, and environmental design. His work combines innovative ideas with meticulous craft across a wide range of clients within the corporate, cultural, and non-profit sectors. Marcelo's body of work has been recognized and awarded both nationally and internationally by the Type Directors Club of New York, The One Show, the LIAs, Communication Arts, the Epica Awards, The ADCC, Applied Arts, RGD, and Marketing Awards, among others.
Hayley Lim
ART DIRECTOR & DESIGNER
Montreal, QC
Hayley Lim is a Senior Art Director and Designer, currently residing in Montreal. Starting her career in advertising, she worked at agencies bleublancrouge, Rethink, Cossette and Ogilvy before moving fully into design at &Walsh and more recently, Baillat Studio. Her work has been recognized by Cannes Lions, the D&AD, Clios, and the ADISQ Awards and was named a Rising Star by The Advertising & Design Club of Canada and a Colourful Finalist by The One Club for Creativity.
Dmytro Lynnyk
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
LINNIKOV
Dallas, TX
Dmytro Lynnyk is the Creative Director and inspirer at Linnikov, an international branding agency. With his team, he created a brand for the tallest hotel in the world in Dubai. During his career, he was a laureate and winner of numerous international branding and design competitions. Member of creative communities and clubs of art directors, as well as a judge of international competitions. He also develops the creative industry in the United State, Ukraine and Europe, and by writing scientific articles, publications in books, specialized publications. Speaker of many conferences, congresses, and seminars.
João Magalhães
ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
ADIDAS
Amsterdam
João is currently based in Amsterdam and working as an ACD (Art) at Studio A, adidas' global in-house agency for all things digital. During his career he has worked with big-name agencies, such as Ogilvy New York and ALMA DDB Miami. He traded in his law school textbooks for a career in design and advertising, and he hasn't looked back since. His philosophy? Dive into projects headfirst with a healthy dose of bravery. That's how he managed to create award-winning work recognized by prestigious entities like Cannes Lions, D&AD, and more.
Mira Moscatel-Gauthier
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
LG2
Quebec, QC
Mira Moscatel-Gauthier is a creative director at lg2 in Quebec City. With more than 15 years of experience, her expertise encompasses a broad range from branding programs to theater posters and packaging. Passionate about the future of young creatives, Mira frequently gives workshops and conferences in local schools. She was also part of multiple design juries and mentorship programs for students. While her work has been recognized by numerous national and international awards and media including Communication Arts, Applied Arts, the ADCC, The Dieline, Marketing Awards, Lüerzer's Archive, Grafika and Créa, she also gained recognition at Cannes and at the London International Awards. Mira's projects led LG2 to win silver at last year's Strategy Design Agency of the Year awards.
Bryony Meyrick
PARTNER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR
TOGETHER DESIGN LONDON
London, UK
Bryony is Partner and Creative Director at Together Design London. Having worked in the London design industry for almost 20 years, Bryony believes simply in big ideas with meticulous craft. From skincare and healthcare to food and drink, projects have included brand worlds, campaigns and packaging designs for Diageo, Fortnum & Mason, Deliciously Ella, Liz Earle, Wimbledon Championships, M&S, D&D London, Museum of London, Walgreens Boots Alliance, RHS and many stamp collections for the Royal Mail. Bryony has won many international awards including the Dieline Rebrand of the Year, D&AD, Design Week, The Drum, FAB and DBA Design Effectiveness.
Kimberley Pereira
CREATIVE DIRECTOR, DESIGN
ARRIVALS + DEPARTURES
Toronto, ON
Kimberley is a Creative director and designer based in Toronto with over a decade of experience in graphic design and branding on diverse projects/clients. She did some stints at renowned agencies such as Leo Burnett, Taxi, NFA and Zulu Alpha Kilo and also freelanced with many agencies. She is currently CD of design at Arrivals + Departures. Her work has been recognized in local and international shows.
Nicola Pringle
ART DIRECTOR
ZGM ADVERTISING AGENCY
Edmonton, AB
Nicola began her career in 2008 at Calder Bateman Communications. Nine years later, after stepping into the role of Creative Director, Nicola had garnered some of the industry's most prestigious awards with her fresh ideas and meticulous attention to detail, including multiple recognitions from Applied Arts, Communication Arts, Marketing Awards, Effie Awards, the CLIOs, and being named by Strategy Magazine as one of Canada's Top 25 Art Directors. She's now a key part of the Storytelling Team at ZGM Modern Marketing Partners where her campaign and brand work continue to inspire and connect audiences with a range of clients such as Alberta Blue Cross, the Government of Alberta, Hockey Diversity Alliance, Pride Tape, The Winspear Centre for Music, Ethical Food Group and more.
Teresa Tam
DESIGN DIRECTOR
Toronto, ON
Teresa is an independent Design Director and Designer based in Toronto. She has over 10 years of experience as both a designer and art director, and co-led the award-winning design department at john st. in the late 2010s. Since declaring her own personal Independence Day in early 2021, she has collaborated with agencies such as One Twenty Three West, GUT Agency, We Are Social, Metier Creative, Massive Change, and Joan Agency NYC. Some brands she's enjoyed working on: Lululemon, The Canadian Olympic Committee, Harry Rosen, Tim Horton's, Starbucks, Shopper's Drug Mart, Maybelline, KFC and more!
Olivier Valiquette
Creative Director
Sid Lee
Quebec, QC
Born and raised in Montreal, Olivier's path winds through various design and creative agencies, where he left a mark on a diverse clientele, contributing to the visual stories of brands such as Adidas, Unity, Apple, Cirque du Soleil, and the Montreal Canadiens. His knack for content creation, animation, interior design, UX, and event design reflects a multifaceted approach to the craft. Rooted in a 360-degree mindset of brand experience expression, Olivier passionately tackles challenges with a hyperactive drive for problem solving. A firm believer in purpose-driven brands, he takes pride in crafting brand expressions that resonate authentically across all platforms, embodying the essence of his journey in the industry.
Nancy Wu
DESIGN DIRECTOR, DESIGNER
NANCY WU DESIGN
Vancouver, BC
Nancy Wu is an award-winning designer and design director specializing in logo design, idea generation, concept and brand development. Nancy has over 30 years of design experience working with creative firms like Rethink, DDB, Will Creative & TAXI and is on faculty as a design instructor at Capilano University. Recognized by Communication Arts, Applied Arts, Lotus Awards, GDC/BC Salazar Awards, HOW Magazine, Identity Magazine, New York Festivals, The ADCC, Uppercase Magazine and GDC/Graphex Awards, her work has appeared in over 70 international design publications and creative blogs. She is a super type nerd and proud of it.
Chris Allen
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Toronto, ON
Allen is an independent Creative Director and graphic designer with diverse knowledge of graphic applications in visual and brand identity, print & publication design, packaging, web and digital applications. He has worked with world-class brands, individuals and cultural institutions such as Asics, Cinerama Los Angeles, Sheikh Zayed Museum in Abu Dhabi, Mejuri, lululemon, Indigo, Gagosian Gallery, Google, Audi, and Reigning Champ. Prior to going out on his own Chris was a Creative Director at Bruce Mau Design, he was also a founding member of Inventory Magazine.
Amanda Blackwood
DIGITAL ART DIRECTOR
TARGET
St. John's NL
Creativity is at Amanda Blackwood's core, which is one of the reasons she found herself making a life on the east coast in Newfoundland. A place of colour, contrast, and complexity inspires her daily and manifests itself in her work. She is the lead on digital art direction and design for Target, Canada's inaugural Small Agency of the Year. Amanda has a passion for inclusive design and accessibility and has been an integral part of many award wins, including Strategy, Applied Arts, Communication Arts.
Eliane Cadieux
CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER, CO-FOUNDER
BESIDE
Montreal, QC
As the Co-founder and Chief Creative officer of BESIDE, Eliane is the guardian of the brand's vision. With over a decade of experience in communications and design she spans all facets of creation from print and web to video, objects, interior design, architecture and customer experience. In 2016 she fully embraced the BESIDE adventure alongside Jean-Daniel Petit and Guillaume Leblanc giving life to the first magazine. Over the years with BESIDE she developed a genuine passion for strategy intricately weaving identity not only through visuals and experience but also within projects dedicated to conservation.
Dejan Djuric
DESIGN DIRECTOR
ZULU ALPHA KILO
Toronto, ON
Dejan is the Design Director at Zulu Alpha Kilo, he has worked on brands such as Bell, Ikea, Mercedes, AAA, Bulk Barn, and Yellow Pages. Previously, as a designer, Dejan was awarded the title of Strategy's #1 Art Director. His work has been recognized at prestigious industry events like the Cannes Lions, the D&ADs, The One Show, LIAs, The ADCC, Strategy, and The Webby's.
Jonathan Herman
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
ONE HUNDRED COINS
Calgary, AB
Jonathan began his career at Pentagram New York. After his time stateside, he returned to Canada where he worked at various design and advertising firms bringing a thoughtful, concept-driven approach to clients large and small. In the time since his return Jonathan has worked on many of Calgary's most notable logos including Cenovus, Phil & Sebastian, Hoopla Donuts, the Calgary Airport Authority, and CIFF. He has been consistently recognized nationally and internationally by many design competitions and publications, including Communication Arts, Clios, D&AD, The One Show, Graphis, AR 100, the London International Awards and Applied Arts.
Marcelo Hong
DESIGN DIRECTOR
LEO BURNETT DESIGN
Toronto, ON
Marcelo is a designer specialized in brand identities, editorial, packaging, and environmental design. His work combines innovative ideas with meticulous craft across a wide range of clients within the corporate, cultural, and non-profit sectors. Marcelo's body of work has been recognized and awarded both nationally and internationally by the Type Directors Club of New York, The One Show, the LIAs, Communication Arts, the Epica Awards, The ADCC, Applied Arts, RGD, and Marketing Awards, among others.
Hayley Lim
ART DIRECTOR & DESIGNER
Montreal, QC
Hayley Lim is a Senior Art Director and Designer, currently residing in Montreal. Starting her career in advertising, she worked at agencies bleublancrouge, Rethink, Cossette and Ogilvy before moving fully into design at &Walsh and more recently, Baillat Studio. Her work has been recognized by Cannes Lions, the D&AD, Clios, and the ADISQ Awards and was named a Rising Star by The Advertising & Design Club of Canada and a Colourful Finalist by The One Club for Creativity.
Dmytro Lynnyk
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
LINNIKOV
Dallas, TX
Dmytro Lynnyk is the Creative Director and inspirer at Linnikov, an international branding agency. With his team, he created a brand for the tallest hotel in the world in Dubai. During his career, he was a laureate and winner of numerous international branding and design competitions. Member of creative communities and clubs of art directors, as well as a judge of international competitions. He also develops the creative industry in the United State, Ukraine and Europe, and by writing scientific articles, publications in books, specialized publications. Speaker of many conferences, congresses, and seminars.
João Magalhães
ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
ADIDAS
Amsterdam
João is currently based in Amsterdam and working as an ACD (Art) at Studio A, adidas' global in-house agency for all things digital. During his career he has worked with big-name agencies, such as Ogilvy New York and ALMA DDB Miami. He traded in his law school textbooks for a career in design and advertising, and he hasn't looked back since. His philosophy? Dive into projects headfirst with a healthy dose of bravery. That's how he managed to create award-winning work recognized by prestigious entities like Cannes Lions, D&AD, and more.
Mira Moscatel-Gauthier
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
LG2
Quebec, QC
Mira Moscatel-Gauthier is a creative director at lg2 in Quebec City. With more than 15 years of experience, her expertise encompasses a broad range from branding programs to theater posters and packaging. Passionate about the future of young creatives, Mira frequently gives workshops and conferences in local schools. She was also part of multiple design juries and mentorship programs for students. While her work has been recognized by numerous national and international awards and media including Communication Arts, Applied Arts, the ADCC, The Dieline, Marketing Awards, Lüerzer's Archive, Grafika and Créa, she also gained recognition at Cannes and at the London International Awards. Mira's projects led LG2 to win silver at last year's Strategy Design Agency of the Year awards.
Bryony Meyrick
PARTNER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR
TOGETHER DESIGN LONDON
London, UK
Bryony is Partner and Creative Director at Together Design London. Having worked in the London design industry for almost 20 years, Bryony believes simply in big ideas with meticulous craft. From skincare and healthcare to food and drink, projects have included brand worlds, campaigns and packaging designs for Diageo, Fortnum & Mason, Deliciously Ella, Liz Earle, Wimbledon Championships, M&S, D&D London, Museum of London, Walgreens Boots Alliance, RHS and many stamp collections for the Royal Mail. Bryony has won many international awards including the Dieline Rebrand of the Year, D&AD, Design Week, The Drum, FAB and DBA Design Effectiveness.
Kimberley Pereira
CREATIVE DIRECTOR, DESIGN
ARRIVALS + DEPARTURES
Toronto, ON
Kimberley is a Creative director and designer based in Toronto with over a decade of experience in graphic design and branding on diverse projects/clients. She did some stints at renowned agencies such as Leo Burnett, Taxi, NFA and Zulu Alpha Kilo and also freelanced with many agencies. She is currently CD of design at Arrivals + Departures. Her work has been recognized in local and international shows.
Nicola Pringle
ART DIRECTOR
ZGM ADVERTISING AGENCY
Edmonton, AB
Nicola began her career in 2008 at Calder Bateman Communications. Nine years later, after stepping into the role of Creative Director, Nicola had garnered some of the industry's most prestigious awards with her fresh ideas and meticulous attention to detail, including multiple recognitions from Applied Arts, Communication Arts, Marketing Awards, Effie Awards, the CLIOs, and being named by Strategy Magazine as one of Canada's Top 25 Art Directors. She's now a key part of the Storytelling Team at ZGM Modern Marketing Partners where her campaign and brand work continue to inspire and connect audiences with a range of clients such as Alberta Blue Cross, the Government of Alberta, Hockey Diversity Alliance, Pride Tape, The Winspear Centre for Music, Ethical Food Group and more.
Teresa Tam
DESIGN DIRECTOR
Toronto, ON
Teresa is an independent Design Director and Designer based in Toronto. She has over 10 years of experience as both a designer and art director, and co-led the award-winning design department at john st. in the late 2010s. Since declaring her own personal Independence Day in early 2021, she has collaborated with agencies such as One Twenty Three West, GUT Agency, We Are Social, Metier Creative, Massive Change, and Joan Agency NYC. Some brands she's enjoyed working on: Lululemon, The Canadian Olympic Committee, Harry Rosen, Tim Horton's, Starbucks, Shopper's Drug Mart, Maybelline, KFC and more!
Olivier Valiquette
Creative Director
Sid Lee
Quebec, QC
Born and raised in Montreal, Olivier's path winds through various design and creative agencies, where he left a mark on a diverse clientele, contributing to the visual stories of brands such as Adidas, Unity, Apple, Cirque du Soleil, and the Montreal Canadiens. His knack for content creation, animation, interior design, UX, and event design reflects a multifaceted approach to the craft. Rooted in a 360-degree mindset of brand experience expression, Olivier passionately tackles challenges with a hyperactive drive for problem solving. A firm believer in purpose-driven brands, he takes pride in crafting brand expressions that resonate authentically across all platforms, embodying the essence of his journey in the industry.
Nancy Wu
DESIGN DIRECTOR, DESIGNER
NANCY WU DESIGN
Vancouver, BC
Nancy Wu is an award-winning designer and design director specializing in logo design, idea generation, concept and brand development. Nancy has over 30 years of design experience working with creative firms like Rethink, DDB, Will Creative & TAXI and is on faculty as a design instructor at Capilano University. Recognized by Communication Arts, Applied Arts, Lotus Awards, GDC/BC Salazar Awards, HOW Magazine, Identity Magazine, New York Festivals, The ADCC, Uppercase Magazine and GDC/Graphex Awards, her work has appeared in over 70 international design publications and creative blogs. She is a super type nerd and proud of it.
Judging Process
All work is entered and judged digitally. There are no hard copies. Therefore, please read our RECOMMENDED BEST PRACTICES, under the ENTRY MATERIAL GUIDELINES section to ensure you submit your work properly for maximum impact.
The judges are divided into groups, with each viewing a different and random group of entries. Each judge reviews and scores entries separately. Judges do not confer or discuss the work and there is only one round of judging.
- Each entry is judged independently on its own merit. Judges are asked not to rank or compare entries.
- We have no predetermined quota of winners. If a category has no winners it is eliminated. Similarly, a category may have multiple winners. All entries above the cut-off score are declared winners and are published.
- We do not rank winners (i.e. no gold, silver, etc.). Every entry above the cut-off score is given equal exposure as a winner.
Entries are given one total score, based on three criteria only:
- Creative merit.
- Technical excellence.
- Suitability for end use in the category it was submitted to.
NOTE: Entries submitted to the Young Blood categories are judged with the level of experience and/or available resources taken into consideration.
Eligibility
Open internationally to all forms of commissioned, published, unpublished and personal work from professionals and enthusiasts created between March 2024 and March 2025 (but not entries that have been submitted into last year's competition). Only digital entries are accepted for this competition.
Young Blood
For professionals that have graduated within the last five (5) years. Work submitted to the Young Blood categories can be from any application from the Professional groupings of categories.
Students
Students are only eligible to enter the Student Awards competition, a stand-alone awards competition for students studying in a creative arts program at the post-secondary or high school level. Work from any year of study is eligible and may be entered up to one year after graduation. Visit Student Awards for eligibility and deadlines.
Categories & Entry Fees
Entry fees vary per sub-grouping and category.
ENTIRE DESIGN PROGRAMS - $125
Cause-Related/Social Responsibility Program
Complete Brand Identity
Complete Rebrand Identity Program
Entire Design Program
Entire Packaging Design Program
Entire Promotional Design Program
Guerrilla Marketing Program
Pro Bono/PSA/Charity Design Program
Small Community/Business Design Program*
DESIGN – SINGLE: $65/SERIES: $85*
Annual Report
Brochure/Catalogues
Cause-Related Creative Response
Data Visualization
Environmental Design (Signage, Complete Environment, Experiential/Event)
Brand Identity (Logo design, Rebranded Logo and Applications)
Poster
Pro Bono/Public Service/Charity
Small Community/Business Design*
Unpublished/Personal
EDITORIAL DESIGN – SINGLE: $65/SERIES: $85*
Book Design
Publication Design
PACKAGING DESIGN – SINGLE: $65/SERIES: $85*
Beverages (Alcohol and Alcohol-Free)
Consumer Products
Food
Promotional
Rebrand
Retail Applications
Sustainable
PROMOTIONAL DESIGN – SINGLE: $65/SERIES: $85
Artist/Design Firm Promotions
Point-of-Sale Messaging
Premium/Gift Item
Promotional Collateral
Promotional Messaging
TYPOGRAPHY – SINGLE: $85/SERIES: $125*
Corporate Application
Digital Application
Environmental/Experiential Application
Motion Application
Packaging Application
Promotional Application
TYPEFACE DESIGN – SINGLE: $65/SERIES: $85
CRAFT – SINGLE: $65/SERIES: $85
Calligraphy/Hand Lettering
Motion/Animation
Illustration
Photography
Printing/Bindery/Finishing
DIGITAL DESIGN – CONTENT/WEBSITE SINGLE: $100
Content
Apps (Desktop, Mobile/Tablet)
Augmented & Virtual Reality
Editorial – Digital Editions
Experimental/Innovative
Gaming
Social/Viral Promotional
Self-promotion
Website
Business-to-Business
Consumer Products
Consumer Services
Commerce
Educational/Reference
Entertainment, Art & Tourism
Public Service/Charity
Self-Promotion
MOTION DESIGN – SINGLE: $100/SERIES: $150*
Educational and explanatory, social media, event or online graphics
YOUNG BLOOD - SINGLE: $50/ SERIES: $65/CAMPAIGN: $85
*Rates vary by sub-grouping and categories.
Entry Material Guidelines
- Submit entries in digital, hi-res format.
- Actual creative work must be entered. Brief descriptions or case studies for the judges may only be added as a supporting file.
- Do not add a watermark that identifies the entrant Self-promotion work is exempt.
- Entries must be in English or include an English translation for any important text (e.g. headlines AND entry titles).
- Complete the Winners' Information, including the Description of Entry and Creative Credits, at the entry stage. NOTE: Winners will only have 48 hours to review and make edits.
Acceptable file formats and restrictions
STILLS
- File Format: PDF*, JPG, PNG, GIF
- File Dimensionst: 8-inches (or 2,400 pixels) on the longest dimension
- Resolution: 300 DPI (min.)
- Colour Mode: RGB
- File Size: Max. 5 MB
* Multipage PDFs are allowed and recommended over individual PDF or JPG files.
MOTION
- File Format: MP4, URL to a video-sharing site (e.g. YouTube, Vimeo).
- File Size: Max. 80 MB
- IMPORTANT re MP4: Video files will be resized by our system to 800px wide keeping aspect ratio.
RESTRICTIONS
- Password–protected sites not allowed.
- MPEG, WMV are unsupported.
- Uploading materials through file sharing sites such Dropbox, Google Drive, WeTransfer, etc.
Main Entry Files
REQUIRED
Main Entry File(s) must clearly show the images (ideally with no additional graphics) to be judged in hi-res format.
PERMITTED
SINGLE | 1 File
A single design unit – Such as an annual report, book/publication, multiple-page brochure, package, poster, environmental signage for an event/storefront, website, etc.
SERIES | 3 Files maximum
2 – 3 design units – Such as a family of logos, packages, posters.
CAMPAIGN | 9 files maximum
Up to 9 elements/units from an entire campaign or program to promote an event, brand, product, service or business.
*Exceptions are noted in specific categories.
NOTE ON MULTIPAGE PDFS: Recommended when incorporating any additional images into the maximum number of files allowed (e.g. the image in context, inside pages from a book, or multiple views of 3-dimensional entries such as packaging). It only counts as 1 file.
Support Files
Support Files are for clarity to assist the judges. They are not for publication (except where noted) and do not count towards the file limitations noted above. These files can be added to your main entry material or uploaded to the Supporting Materials of the ENTRY MATERIALS section. Only one file/URL may be uploaded.
REQUIRED
~ English translations for non-English entries: Include any important text (e.g. headlines and the entry title) either as a Support File or within a multipage PDF as your Main Entry File.
PERMITTED
~ Brief descriptions: Are recommended in cases where the use/intention is not obvious or to provide further clarity for the judges. Limit to 50 words in English (10-second intro for motion).
~ Case studies: Not recommended (as outcomes are not a consideration for judges in scoring), case studies can be added ONLY as a Support File and should be limited to max. 50 words in English (or up to 45s for videos). REMINDER: The actual creative is to be judged as your Main Entry File.
NOT PERMITTED
~ Uploading the same creative: Do not submit the same creative either as a file or URL if it's already been added as the Main Entry File.
~ Entrant information: Do not add a watermark that identifies the entrant on the Support files/URLs.
RECOMMENDED BEST PRACTICES
Judging is online. Here's how to help the judges:
- A multi–page PDF is preferred over multiple, individual PDF or JPG files.
- More is not better. Curate your images to the maximum indicated for each category, except where noted below.
- Give the judges the full picture at-a-glance. Show multiple views of 3D pieces, zoom in on small print or details and show complex/novel work in the context of how the audience saw it.
- Include supporting material within a multipage PDF as your Main Entry File when requested.
- Look at your entry on a smaller screen and ensure all important details are legible at that size, as that's how a judge may view it.
How To Enter
The Entry Form consists of five (5) steps. You will have the option to save your progress during each step of the process.
Create your "MY ENTRIES" Account.
This is your Applied Arts Awards account for all Awards competitions. Once logged in personal account information can be updated, a new entry can be started, copied from an existing one, or edited, and you can pay for all or some entries.
Bookmark https://www.appliedartsmag.com/myentries/ for easy access to your account later.
NOTE: If you've entered the Applied Arts Awards previously, please use the email address associated with your account.
All entrants must complete an online entry form in My Entries, regardless of payment method, to be eligible for entry.
Step 1: Entry Information
Select from one of the Awards competitions, choose a sub-group, category and your entry title.
Step 2: Entry Materials
Entry format: All entries are to be submitted in digital format. See ENTRY MATERIAL GUIDELINES section above for detailed specifications and helpful tips.
Step 3: Winners' Information
THIS SECTION IS FOR PUBLICATION ONLY AND IS NOT VISIBLE TO THE JUDGES. Please review the information carefully. After the winners have been notified, you will only have 48 hours to make edits.
The "Winner" field is the primary company or individual you want to be credited on the piece (i.e. company name, photographer, illustrator, Young Blood, etc.).
NOTE: In the instance that a team (e.g. AD & writer) worked together (typically for the Young Blood or Student categories), enter only the first individual of the team as in the "Winner" field. The other team member(s) should be added in the CREATIVE CREDITS section. (See Step 4: CREATIVE CREDITS for further explanation on how to enter additional names so that they are properly credited as "Winners").
Optional fields: Phone, email, web address, social handles, and the URL to the winning entry (typically, for websites and motion entries). If these are entered, they will be published beside your winning work.
NOTE: We recommend including the URL as, due to file sizes, we don't upload the MP4 files directly for viewing in the Winners Gallery. They are only used for judging.
Description of Entry: For the purpose of providing a brief creative summary of the project to be published beside your winning entry. The description is limited to a maximum of 500 characters (includes spaces).
NOTE: The "Descriptions of Entry" are for publication use only and are not shown to the judges.
Step 4: Creative Credits
Credits are a summary of the individual's or companies that have worked on the project.
A credit can be designated with an individual's name or an organization's. A credit role is a job function (e.g. Creative Director, or Production House). Multiple names can be assigned to one credit role (i.e. if you have two Creative Directors, they are counted as only one credit role).
A maximum of 6 creative credit roles will be published in the Annual, however, any/all creative credits you entered will appear in the online Winners Gallery.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- In instances of a team entry (e.g. Young Blood or student group project), enter the subsequent names here (Reminder: you entered one name in the "Winner" field). Choose the "Other" role and enter Young Blood (or Student, or Winner) as a custom role field. They will not be counted towards your 6 credit roles, and will be credited together as the "Winners". These individuals may also be added a second time, identifying their specific roles on the project (e.g. Art Director, Writer).
- Credits only need to be entered once. Credits automatically get saved to your account to be used for any competition. For subsequent entries, select either a saved credit or add a new credit. To change the order of your credits, change the number from the sort column and select "Update Sort" when finished.
- Creative credits must be completed at the time of submission. If selected as a winner there will be only 48 hours to edit or add the creative credits. Be sure to review your creative credits carefully, particularly the credits to be printed in the Annual.
Step 5: Certificate information
Winners will receive one certificate for each winning entry. Complete the winning company/individual and/or client you wish to appear on the certificate. The entry title and the category the project won in will automatically be included on the certificate. You will have the opportunity to order additional certificates once winners have been notified.
NEXT: FINALIZING YOUR ENTRY
After Step 5, the entry form is complete. Press the "Save" button to return to the "My Entries" dashboard to submit a new entry, copy an existing entry to a new category, or submit payment.
IMPORTANT: A submitted entry is not final and entered in the competition until it's paid for. Entries may be edited until paid. Once payment has been processed, it is final and cannot be modified.
Payment & Refunds
Entry fees vary. Check the categories kit for entry fees. Once an entry is paid it is officially in the competition and cannot be modified.
Payments can be made by Visa, MasterCard or American Express (AmEx is for Canadian payments only at this time), or PayPal. US and international entry fees are payable in US funds.
We only accept cheques or direct deposits in special circumstances. These cases must be pre-approved. To request them, contact awards@appliedartsmag.com.
Entries are non-refundable. If an entry is submitted to the same category, entrants will have the option to move the entry to another category or enter new work in its place.
Keep a record of your submissions.
Winners
All entrants will be notified by late April 2025 via email. At that time, you will have only 48 hours to correct or finalize any creative credits and descriptions.
To ensure you don't miss the results notifications, add winners@appliedartsmag.com to your white list.
Award recipients will earn the following recognition for their outstanding work:
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Published in Applied Arts Magazine: Winning entries are featured prominently in the Summer 2025: Photography, Illustration & Design Awards Annual, showcasing the best creative work in the industry. The Awards Annual provides winners with valuable exposure and recognition within the creative community and will be received by all winners.
Online Gallery: Showcasing the Winners' work in the Applied Arts Awards online gallery, a digital exhibition of the awarded entries. This online presence can increase exposure and visibility for the winners' work.
Digital Winners' Badge: Winners are granted the right to display the Applied Arts Awards winners' badge on their website, portfolio, or marketing materials. This badge serves as a visual mark of distinction and can help enhance their professional reputation.
Award Certificate: Winners receive an official certificate acknowledging their achievement in the Applied Arts Awards competition. This certificate is a tangible symbol of their accomplishment and can be used for promotional purposes.
Industry Recognition: The Applied Arts Awards are highly regarded within the creative industry, and winning an award can significantly enhance a professional's reputation and credibility. It can also attract attention from potential clients, employers, collaborators, and peers, opening up new career opportunities and collaborations.
ADD-ON OPPORTUNITIES FOR WINNERS*
- Order additional certificates for your creative team, client, etc. with an option to order a plaque-mounted certificate.
- Order additional copies of the Awards Annual at a discounted price.
- Order a personalized, engraved Awards trophy. This attractive and original Lucite AACE cube is 3.5x3.5x3.5 square inches.
*Additional fees apply
Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility FAQ
Can students enter? No. Students may only enter the Student Competition. Go here for categories, eligibility and deadlines for the Student Awards competition.
Can I enter something I entered last year? Not in the same competition, but if it meets the eligibility period for a different competition, then yes.
Can I enter something in multiple Awards competitions? Yes. Each competition has different eligibility periods; please check each competition for eligibility requirements.
Judging FAQ
Will the judges see my descriptions during the judging? Judges do not see the creative descriptions you have entered. These are only for publishing beside your entry if chosen as a winner. If you feel judges need an explanatory note, you may include a brief description as a Support File (no more than 50 words or 10 seconds for broadcast/video).
Categories FAQ
Can I enter a piece in multiple categories? Yes. In your account on the My Entries home page, click "Copy" on any entry you've created. Be sure to change the discipline and/or entry category to the new one you want to submit to.
Which category does my entry belong in? Often the best way to understand a category is to see previous work that won in that category. Check our online winners Gallery for examples. If you still have questions regarding our categories or require assistance in selecting the appropriate category, contact awards@appliedartsmag.com.
NOTE: Applied Arts reserves the right to move an entry to another category if we feel it unsuitable or incorrectly categorized.
What is a single, series, and campaign? A single means one piece. Series means you are submitting more than one piece of the same project to a maximum of three (five pieces for the Photography & Illustration competitions). A campaign is up to nine pieces (six pieces for the Student competition). NOTE: Exceptions are noted in specific categories. If an entry contains more than the specified images, we will either contact you to split the submission into multiple entries, or choose which ones will be judged, so it's best to stick to the indicated number of pieces specified.
What is the Young Blood category? Young Blood is a series of categories open only to entrants who have been out of school for up to a certain number of years (three for the Photography and Illustration competitions and five for the Design and Advertising competitions). As with all categories, they are judged on creative excellence, technical merit and suitability for end use, but the jury also takes into account the level of professional experience. You will be required to specify the name of the Young Blood entrant to qualify.
Entry Material FAQ
At what specs do I need to submit my entry? Refer to ENTRY MATERIAL GUIDELINES section for specifications.
Can I submit a hard copy or disk? No. Only digital uploads are accepted.
The program crashed. Did I lose everything? No. You are saving your work as you go through each section of the entry form. If the program crashes as you are completing a certain section, it may not have been saved in that section.
The file I uploaded won't show me a preview. Why? You may not see the image preview if you haven't followed the specs outlined in ENTRY MATERIAL GUIDELINES. Check your file and re-upload. If you continue to experience difficulties, try clearing your browser history or contact awards@appliedartsmag.com.
I uploaded the wrong file. Can I change it? Yes. You can resubmit images at any time until payment is made. Click the "X" beside the appropriate file and re-upload your image.
NOTE: The thumbnail image may not correctly display your new image. If this happens close your browser and log back into "My Entries" for the changes to show. If you continue to experience difficulties, try clearing your browser history or contact awards@appliedartsmag.com.
Rights FAQ
Do I need to get the rights of the subjects or material used from external sources in my entry? It is the responsibility of the entrant to ensure copyright is not infringed. Upon entry you must grant us the rights to reproduce the image or images for both our online and print publications, so you would most likely need to have these rights in place to protect yourself. Although you do not need to send us a copy of the release forms, we do suggest that you have them. Entrants who request we don't run their winning work because they don't have the rights will not be refunded for their entry. NOTE: Student work is often exempt from copyright rules.
What rights do I retain if my work is chosen? You retain all rights to your images.
My client has revoked the right for me to enter work I've won for. What do I do? We do not issue refunds in these cases, but please contact awards@appliedartsmag.com if you need the entry removed from the Winners' pool.
Payment FAQ
Can I submit more entries after paying? Yes. In My Entries, you will have the opportunity to submit additional entries even if others already entered have been paid. This will simply generate a new confirmation email when you complete your entries with payment.
I want to change something after I've paid. What do I do? Once an entry is paid, you cannot change the category, entry title, entry format, winner's information, description of entry, or creative credits. A paid entry is final, so check it carefully before proceeding to the payment field. If chosen as a winner, you will be given a small window of time to add or edit information.
Can I get a refund? Entries are non-refundable; costs cover administration, processing and the judging of the entry. A submission of entry acknowledges acceptance of these rules.
My client has revoked the right for me to enter work I’ve already paid for. What do I do? We do not issue refunds, but contact awards@appliedartsmag.com if you need the entry removed from the judging or winners' pool.
I'm getting error messages when I try to pay. What do I do? If you entered your payment information incorrectly on your first attempt, any subsequent attempts would be declined, even if you change your payment type. Close your browser and log back into My Entries. You should now be able to proceed with payment. If you continue to experience difficulties, contact awards@appliedartsmag.com.
Winners FAQ
If I win, what image will you use for reproduction? We will use the image(s) you submitted on entry. In the case of series, complete, campaign, we select a sampling at our discretion from the images/files submitted. For digital or motion, we will contact you to provide us with final image selects.
Contact
Questions? If you've checked all of the above sections and cannot find the answer to your question, or if you are having difficulty entering, contact awards@appliedartsmag.com.
Disclaimer
Applied Arts reserves the right to amend these rules throughout the competition. Applied Arts assumes all entries are original and the property of the entrant, with all rights granted therein. Applied Arts reserves the rights to publish or exhibit entries for our print or electronic formats, or related promotions. Entries are non-refundable. Costs cover administration, processing, and the judging of the entry. Entries may be moved to a more suitable category, if Applied Arts deems the category chosen unsuitable. All descriptions and credits are subject to be edited for length, clarity and grammar in accordance with the Applied Arts editorial style guide. A submission of entry acknowledges acceptance of these rules.