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.

  • Announcements

    Announcements refer to printed materials used to communicate important news or events. They can include printed invitations, event announcements, or special announcements for various occasions.

  • Annual Reports

    Annual Reports are comprehensive printed documents that provide a summary of a company or organization's performance, financial statements, and achievements over the course of a year. They combine textual information, data, and visual elements to present a professional and engaging overview.

  • Books

    The Books category includes printed materials in book format, such as novels, non-fiction books, art books, and coffee table books. It focuses on the design of book covers, layouts, typography, and overall visual appeal.

  • Calendars

    Calendars feature printed layouts for organizing and displaying dates, weeks, and months. They can be wall calendars, desk calendars, or other formats, incorporating creative designs, themes, and imagery.

  • Catalogs

    Catalogs are printed publications that showcase a range of products or services offered by a company or organization. They typically feature product descriptions, images, pricing, and ordering information in an organized and visually appealing format.

  • CD, DVD & Record Sleeves (Record Cover or Record Artwork)

    CD, DVD & Record Sleeves refer to the printed covers or artwork for music albums, movies, or other multimedia formats. The designs can include visuals, typography, and graphics that convey the essence of the content and engage the audience.

  • Collateral Material

    Collateral Material includes various printed materials used to support marketing and branding efforts. It can encompass brochures, flyers, postcards, and other printed promotional items that convey information about a company, product, or event.

  • Corporate Identity

    Corporate Identity focuses on the visual representation of a company's brand through printed materials. It includes the design of logos, stationery, business cards, and other materials that establish a consistent and cohesive brand identity.

  • Corporate Identity – Rebranding

    The process of redesigning and updating a company's visual identity. It involves creating new logos, stationery, and other printed materials to give a fresh and modern look to an existing brand.

  • Direct Mail

    Direct Mail includes printed materials, such as postcards, letters, or brochures, sent directly to individuals or a targeted audience for promotional or informational purposes. The designs aim to capture attention and encourage recipient engagement.

  • Displays

    Displays refer to printed materials used in exhibitions, trade shows, or retail environments to showcase products, services, or information. They can include banners, posters, signage, or booth graphics designed to attract attention and create visual impact.

  • Key Art

    Key Art refers to the central artwork or visual elements used to represent a movie, TV show, or other forms of entertainment. It typically appears on posters, packaging, promotional materials, and digital platforms to create a compelling and memorable visual identity.

  • Logos, Trademarks and Symbols Design

    This category focuses on the creation and design of logos, trademarks, and symbols that represent a brand, company, or organization. It involves creating unique and visually appealing visual marks that convey the essence and values of the entity they represent.

  • Newsletters

    Newsletters are regularly published printed materials that provide updates, news, and information to a specific audience. They can be internal or external communications and often include articles, features, and visuals designed to engage and inform the readers.

  • Packaging

    Packaging involves the design of printed materials that enclose and protect products. It includes boxes, wrappers, labels, and other printed elements that not only provide functional purposes but also communicate brand identity and create a visually appealing presentation.

  • Posters

    Posters are large-format prints designed to convey a message, promote an event, or display artwork. They often use eye-catching visuals, typography, and graphics to grab attention and communicate a specific theme or concept.

  • Print Advertising

    Print Advertising refers to printed materials created for advertising purposes, such as magazine ads, newspaper ads, or billboards. The designs aim to captivate the audience, convey a clear message, and promote products, services, or events effectively.

  • Print Editorial

    Print Editorial includes the design of editorial layouts for magazines, newspapers, or other printed publications. It involves arranging textual content, images, and graphics in an engaging and visually appealing manner to enhance the reading experience.

  • Self-Promotion

    Self-Promotion involves creating printed materials to promote and showcase the skills, portfolio, or services of a graphic designer or design agency. It can include business cards, promotional brochures, or other creative materials that leave a lasting impression on potential clients.

  • Signs, Exhibits and POP

    Signs, Exhibits, and POP (Point of Purchase) refer to printed materials used for signage, displays, and promotional materials in retail environments. They can include store signage, exhibition graphics, shelf displays, or other visual elements designed to attract attention and drive sales.

  • Stationery

    Stationery includes printed materials used for business correspondence and communication. It encompasses letterheads, envelopes, business cards, and other branded materials that reflect professionalism and maintain consistent visual identity.

  • Wayfinding & Environmental Graphics

    Wayfinding & Environmental Graphics involve the design of printed materials used in public spaces to guide and inform people. This includes signage, maps, directional graphics, and other visual elements that assist with navigation and enhance the user experience.

  • Zines And Flyers

    Zines and Flyers category focuses on small-scale, self-published printed materials that often carry artistic, creative, or alternative content. Zines can include booklets, pamphlets, or magazines created by individuals or small groups, while flyers are single-sheet promotional materials designed for distribution.

  • Animation

    Animation involves the creation of moving images through a sequence of static frames. It can include 2D or 3D animations, motion graphics, or visual effects used in various multimedia applications, such as films, advertisements, or interactive media.

  • Brand Identity

    Brand Identity focuses on the design and development of visual elements that represent a brand consistently across different media platforms. It includes the creation of logos, typography, color palettes, and other brand assets that convey the brand's values, personality, and visual identity.

  • Broadcast Design

    Broadcast Design refers to the design of visuals and graphics used in television broadcasts or other media platforms. It includes the creation of show openings, lower-thirds, title sequences, and other on-screen elements that enhance the overall visual experience for viewers.

  • Computer-Generated Character

    Computer-Generated Character category focuses on the design and development of digital characters using computer-generated imagery (CGI). It encompasses the creation of lifelike or stylized characters for use in animation, video games, virtual reality, or other multimedia applications.

  • Interactive Media

    Interactive Media refers to multimedia applications or experiences that allow user engagement and interaction. It can include interactive websites, mobile apps, touchscreen displays, kiosks, or other digital platforms that provide a dynamic and engaging user experience.

  • Interface Design

    Interface Design involves the creation of user interfaces for digital applications, such as websites, mobile apps, or software. It focuses on designing intuitive and visually appealing layouts, navigation elements, icons, and other interactive components that enhance usability and user experience.

  • Mobile / Web Application Design

    Mobile/Web Application Design category emphasizes the design and user experience of mobile applications or websites. It includes creating intuitive interfaces, seamless navigation, and visually appealing designs optimized for mobile devices or web browsers.

  • Online Advertising Design

    Online Advertising Design refers to the design and creation of visual assets used in online advertising campaigns. It involves designing banner ads, social media ads, email marketing visuals, or other digital assets that effectively communicate and engage the target audience.

  • Social media campaign

    Social Media Campaign category focuses on the design and execution of multimedia content for social media platforms. It includes creating visually compelling graphics, videos, or animations that support marketing campaigns, brand promotions, or storytelling through social media channels.

  • Website Design

    Website Design involves the creation and visual design of websites. It includes the layout, typography, color scheme, and overall aesthetic appeal of the website, ensuring it effectively communicates the brand's message and provides a user-friendly experience.

  • Other Graphic Designs

    Other Graphic Designs category encompasses graphic design projects that do not fall under the specific categories listed above. It allows for the recognition of unique and innovative graphic design works that defy conventional categorization.

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.

30 MAY

Early Bird Deadline

-10% Discount

30 JUNE

Extended Earlybird

-5% Discount

30 SEPTEMBER

Regular Deadline

31 OCTOBER

Final Deadline

15 November

Extended Final Deadline

EXPERTISE

PROFESSIONAL

STUDENTS

1ST ENTRY

$70

$40

ADDITIONAL ENTRY

$50

$30

ADDITIONAL CATEGORIES**

50% DISCOUNT

50% DISCOUNT

There are no further fees for certificate, trophy, inclusion in publication and the winners’ services.

* 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.