GRAPHIC DESIGN OF THE YEAR AWARD

Great graphic design packs a punch, makes a statement or simply helps create a distinctive identity.

At the IDA, we see graphic design as a work of art and want to hear from individuals and teams who strive for perfection and are not afraid to push boundaries and conquer new territory.

We love designs which manage to be both cutting edge and timeless with a clear identity. We are looking for entrants who have created projects that are bold, exciting and different. Whether it is a logo, a poster or a piece of animation, the winning project will be something, which once seen, is never forgotten.

If you have created a sensational graphic design project, this is your chance to show it off to the world. Each year our Graphic Design of the Year competition attracts spectacular entries from professionals at the top of their game. Become part of this elite group today by submitting your entry now.

Categories

The IDA’s Graphic Design of the Year Award aims to reward talented graphic designers who live and breathe their craft and know exactly what it takes to create iconic designs.

This category celebrates creative designs for advertising, branding, and promotional campaigns. Submissions may include completed, in-progress, or conceptual designs.

  • Record Cover / Artwork
    Creative designs for album covers, single artwork, and related visual materials that represent music or audio projects.
  • Collateral Material
    Printed or digital materials supporting marketing and branding efforts.
  • New Corporate Identity
    Designs creating a fresh corporate identity for a brand or organization.
  • Rebranding Corporate Identity
    Designs updating or redesigning an existing corporate identity.
  • Direct Mail
    Designs for promotional mailers and direct marketing campaigns.
  • Displays
    Physical or digital displays used for promotion, exhibitions, or marketing purposes.
  • Key Art
    Main visual assets representing a brand, campaign, or product.
  • Logos / Trademarks / Symbols
    Designs for brand logos, trademarks, and visual symbols.
  • Posters
    Promotional or informational poster designs.
  • Signs / Exhibits / POP
    Designs for signage, exhibition displays, and point-of-purchase materials.
  • Self-Promotion
    Designs created for personal or freelance branding and promotion.
  • Other Advertising Graphics
    Advertising and promotional designs that do not fit within the above subcategories.

This category celebrates interactive, digital, and multimedia design projects. Submissions may include completed, in-progress, or conceptual designs.

  • Interface Design
    User interface designs for software, apps, and digital products.
  • Online Advertising Design
    Digital ad designs for web platforms and online campaigns.
  • Social Media Campaign
    Designs for social media campaigns, posts, and engagement initiatives.
  • Mobile / Web Application
    Designs for mobile and web applications, including UI/UX and visual presentation.
  • Website Design
    Website layouts, visuals, and functional design projects.
  • Broadcast Design
    Designs created for television, video, or other broadcast media.
  • Children's Animation
    Animated projects created for children’s audiences.
  • Adult Animation
    Animated projects created for adult audiences.
  • Game Animation
    Animation and visual effects for video games.
  • Computer Generated Character
    CG characters created for games, films, or digital projects.
  • Interactive Media
    Projects that engage users through interactive experiences.
  • Brand Identity
    Digital branding and multimedia identity design projects.
  • Other Multimedia Design
    Multimedia designs that do not fit within the above subcategories.

This category celebrates product packaging design across industries. Submissions may include completed, in-progress, or conceptual designs.

  • Food Packaging
    Packaging designs for food products.
  • Beverage Packaging
    Packaging designs for drinks and beverages.
  • Beauty / Health Packaging
    Packaging designs for beauty, skincare, and health products.
  • Product Packaging
    Packaging designs for general consumer products.
  • Commercial Packaging
    Packaging designs for commercial and industrial products.
  • Sustainable Packaging
    Eco-friendly and sustainable packaging solutions.
  • Other Packaging
    Packaging designs that do not fit within the above subcategories.

This category celebrates printed graphic design projects for communication and promotion. Submissions may include completed, in-progress, or conceptual designs.

  • Annual Reports
    Designs for corporate, organizational, or institutional annual reports.
  • Announcements
    Printed announcement materials for events, launches, or promotions.
  • Books
    Book designs, including layout, cover, and editorial design.
  • Calendars
    Printed calendar designs.
  • Catalogs
    Product or service catalogs and brochures.
  • Newsletters
    Printed newsletters for organizations or brands.
  • Posters
    Printed promotional or informational posters.
  • Print Advertising
    Advertisements designed for print media.
  • Print Editorial
    Editorial layouts and magazine designs.
  • Self-Promotion
    Print designs created for personal branding or promotion.
  • Stationery
    Business cards, letterheads, and other stationery products.
  • Zines And Flyers
    Independent publications, flyers, and small-format printed works.
  • Maps & Environmental Graphics
    Printed maps, wayfinding, and environmental graphic designs.
  • Other Print Graphics
    Print graphic designs that do not fit within the above subcategories.

Deadlines & Fees

IDA invite architects, builders, engineers and design teams to submit their projects of conceptual, in-progress or completed work.
Winners are chosen based on one project submitted; and not for a body of work.

15 APRIL
2026

Early Bird Deadline

-10% Discount

15 MAY
2026

Extended Earlybird

-5% Discount

15 AUGUST
2026

Regular Deadline

15 SEPTEMBER
2026

Extended Deadline

15 OCTOBER
2026

Final Deadline

EXPERTISE

PROFESSIONAL

STUDENTS

1ST ENTRY

€80

€40

ADDITIONAL ENTRY

€50

€30

ADDITIONAL CATEGORIES**

50% DISCOUNT

50% DISCOUNT

* Multiple entries must be paid at the same time as your first entry in order to be counted as “additional entries”. An entry paid at a later time will be counted as a “first entry”.
** You may submit an entry into multiple categories at the same time but must be in the same disciplines. The first Category will be charged as per the original submission fee. Additional categories (2 or more) will be charged at 50% in the same discipline.

PROJECT DATE

Work submitted must have been created within the last 5 years.

Awards Titles

GRAPHIC DESIGN OF THE YEAR, PROFESSIONAL

The graphic design of the year winner will receive publication of his/her work in the International Design Awards Book of Designs, to be distributed to museum bookstores internationally; promotion in a newsletter to 100,000 design professionals and potential clients worldwide; year-long coverage on the International Design Awards website; and critical acclaim by our distinguished panel of judges. He/she will also receive the IDA certificate of achievements and winners seal to use it online announcing his/her winning, along with a personalized press release and the IDA trophy.

EMERGING GRAPHIC DESIGNER OF THE YEAR, STUDENT

This award will be awarded to a student who has demonstrated devotion to elevating the art of graphic design. He/she will receive publication of his/her work in the IDA Book of Designs, to be distributed to museum bookstores nationwide; promotion in a newsletter to 100,000 design professionals and potential clients worldwide; year-long covereage on the International Design Awards website; and critical acclaim by our distinguishes panel of judges.

Prizes and Promotions

The Winner of the Graphic Design of the Year Award will receive the coveted IDA trophy and be highlighted on the main page of the IDA website and published in all our social media platforms throughout the coming year.

Along with all the sub-category winners, they will also receive a Winner Certificate, Winner Seal, and a personalized press release to use for promotional purposes. All the winning designs will also be featured in the Annual IDA Book of Design.

Our winners will receive extensive publicity all throughout the following year, showcasing their designs to a worldwide audience. They will be promoted on the IDA website in the Winners Gallery and in IDA Newsletters sent out to 100,000 design industry professionals and potential clients.

Winners will also be listed in the IDA online Design Directory, making it easier for them to be reached by potential customers.

PRESS CAMPAIGN

to over 100,000 design professionals, press and potential clients worldwide.

ONLINE DESIGN DIRECTORY

inclusion, with contact information of all IDA winners, and on the IDA website Gallery of Winning Work.

PUBLISHED IN THE ANNUAL BOOK

The IDA Book of Designs is distributed through Art Publishers and Dubb Publications around the world.

CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT

A handsome certificate to promote your winning.

IDA WINNERS SEAL

Promote your winnings on the website and all your printed material.

Submission Details

SUBMISSION IS ONLINE AND IS COMPLETED IN 4 SIMPLE STEPS:
1. Click “submit” to create a free membership and password. If you are already a member, log in.

2. Fill in the simple online submission form–remember you can select multiple categories for each entry.

3. Upload the images for your entry. (Repeat the first 3 steps if you have multiple entries.

4. The final step is to pay your submission fees.

Up to 10 images (JPG/PDF) and 1 PDF can be submitted per entry—For best results, make sure your images are a jpg/png file cropped to a 4:3 format, are at least 1000px wide, and no larger than 4mb. Size for PDF files: Please save as “screen view” and limit it to only 6 pages per file, Max 4 MB.

Entries can be submitted as completed, in-process, or conceptual works. Projects completed more than 5 years before the time of submission are not eligible.

Description of the project should be limited to 600 characters or less.