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D&AD Awards

Download the entry kit

D&AD Awards judge inspecting a graphic book with bold yellow, red and black designs

Since 1962, D&AD Pencils have defined careers, opened doors and earned winners global recognition.

Our awards uncover and celebrate truly exceptional work that redefines what’s possible in the creative industries.

They are (deliberately) tough to win but easy to enter, with step-by-step support from our team.

Key dates

Unmissable deadlines

D&AD Awards judge wearing glasses and hat holding tablet at a table

Open for entry

When: 26 November 2025
Info: Get to know the categories and enter your work

D&AD Awards judge in yellow jumper holds two hands close to their body for inspection

Super early bird deadlines (30% off)

Payment: 14 January 2026
Finalise submission: 21 January 2026
Physical shipment due date: 4 February 2026

D&AD Awards judges sat a dark wooden table seemingly in deep conversation

Early bird deadlines (20% off)

Payment: 11 February 2026
Finalise submission: 18 February 2026
Physical shipment due date: 4 March 2026

D&AD Awards judge flicking through a large rack of posters

Final deadline

Payment: 19 March 2026
Finalise submission: 26 March 2026
Physical shipment due date: 8 April 2026

Ceremony attendees hugging and smiling

D&AD Shortlist announced

When: 19–20 May 2026
Info: The shortlist for all categories will be revealed

Large group of Yellow Pencils positioned neatly on a black cloth-covered table

D&AD Pencils announced

When: 20 May 2026
Info: The winners for all categories will be revealed

D&AD Festival speakers on stage with a washing line set

D&AD Festival

When: May 2026
Info: More details to be addded soon

Pencil winner on stage with ceremony host who is dressed in bright pink

D&AD Awards Ceremony

When: September 2026
Info: More details to be addded soon

D&AD Awards judge wearing glasses and hat holding tablet at a table

Open for entry

When: 26 November 2025
Info: Get to know the categories and enter your work

D&AD Awards judge in yellow jumper holds two hands close to their body for inspection

Super early bird deadlines (30% off)

Payment: 14 January 2026
Finalise submission: 21 January 2026
Physical shipment due date: 4 February 2026

D&AD Awards judges sat a dark wooden table seemingly in deep conversation

Early bird deadlines (20% off)

Payment: 11 February 2026
Finalise submission: 18 February 2026
Physical shipment due date: 4 March 2026

D&AD Awards judge flicking through a large rack of posters

Final deadline

Payment: 19 March 2026
Finalise submission: 26 March 2026
Physical shipment due date: 8 April 2026

Ceremony attendees hugging and smiling

D&AD Shortlist announced

When: 19–20 May 2026
Info: The shortlist for all categories will be revealed

Large group of Yellow Pencils positioned neatly on a black cloth-covered table

D&AD Pencils announced

When: 20 May 2026
Info: The winners for all categories will be revealed

D&AD Festival speakers on stage with a washing line set

D&AD Festival

When: May 2026
Info: More details to be addded soon

Pencil winner on stage with ceremony host who is dressed in bright pink

D&AD Awards Ceremony

When: September 2026
Info: More details to be addded soon

D&AD Awards judge wearing glasses and hat holding tablet at a table

Open for entry

When: 26 November 2025
Info: Get to know the categories and enter your work

D&AD Awards judge in yellow jumper holds two hands close to their body for inspection

Super early bird deadlines (30% off)

Payment: 14 January 2026
Finalise submission: 21 January 2026
Physical shipment due date: 4 February 2026

D&AD Awards judges sat a dark wooden table seemingly in deep conversation

Early bird deadlines (20% off)

Payment: 11 February 2026
Finalise submission: 18 February 2026
Physical shipment due date: 4 March 2026

D&AD Awards judge flicking through a large rack of posters

Final deadline

Payment: 19 March 2026
Finalise submission: 26 March 2026
Physical shipment due date: 8 April 2026

Ceremony attendees hugging and smiling

D&AD Shortlist announced

When: 19–20 May 2026
Info: The shortlist for all categories will be revealed

Large group of Yellow Pencils positioned neatly on a black cloth-covered table

D&AD Pencils announced

When: 20 May 2026
Info: The winners for all categories will be revealed

D&AD Festival speakers on stage with a washing line set

D&AD Festival

When: May 2026
Info: More details to be addded soon

Pencil winner on stage with ceremony host who is dressed in bright pink

D&AD Awards Ceremony

When: September 2026
Info: More details to be addded soon

D&AD Awards 2025

Winners

Explore more

The founders of Mother win D&AD President’s Award 2023

The announcement was made on May 25 during the D&AD Awards at BFI Southbank

8 award winning ad campaigns with heart

Simple and powerful Magazine Covers

Case Study: The Guardian Redesign

Case Study: Trash Isles

Case Study: ThisAbles

How IKEA is making furniture accessible to all

Case Study: Coca-Cola

Case Study: Lynx Pulse

Case Study: IKEA 25m2 Syria

Case Study: BVG x adidas - The ticket-shoe

What are judges looking for in D&AD’s new Health & Wellbeing category?

Panellists discuss how to create award-winning work made for healthcare and wellbeing brands

Winners of the Chivas x New Blood Quickfire Brief on their winning concepts

Two creative responses - challenging stereotypes and finding purpose - caught the eye of the whisky brand Chivas Regal

The founders of Mother win D&AD President’s Award 2023

The announcement was made on May 25 during the D&AD Awards at BFI Southbank

8 award winning ad campaigns with heart

Simple and powerful Magazine Covers

Case Study: The Guardian Redesign

Case Study: Trash Isles

Case Study: ThisAbles

How IKEA is making furniture accessible to all

Case Study: Coca-Cola

Case Study: Lynx Pulse

Case Study: IKEA 25m2 Syria

Case Study: BVG x adidas - The ticket-shoe

What are judges looking for in D&AD’s new Health & Wellbeing category?

Panellists discuss how to create award-winning work made for healthcare and wellbeing brands

Winners of the Chivas x New Blood Quickfire Brief on their winning concepts

Two creative responses - challenging stereotypes and finding purpose - caught the eye of the whisky brand Chivas Regal

The founders of Mother win D&AD President’s Award 2023

The announcement was made on May 25 during the D&AD Awards at BFI Southbank

8 award winning ad campaigns with heart

Simple and powerful Magazine Covers

Case Study: The Guardian Redesign

Case Study: Trash Isles

Case Study: ThisAbles

How IKEA is making furniture accessible to all

Case Study: Coca-Cola

Case Study: Lynx Pulse

Case Study: IKEA 25m2 Syria

Case Study: BVG x adidas - The ticket-shoe

What are judges looking for in D&AD’s new Health & Wellbeing category?

Panellists discuss how to create award-winning work made for healthcare and wellbeing brands

Winners of the Chivas x New Blood Quickfire Brief on their winning concepts

Two creative responses - challenging stereotypes and finding purpose - caught the eye of the whisky brand Chivas Regal

The Pencil case

Pencil levels