The Pencil case

Work that demonstrates merit, worthy of recognition and in the top echelon of entries.

For the best of the year in advertising, design, craft, culture and impact. This door-opening honour often represents work that would win the top award at other shows.

For stand-out work that rises above the rest, worthy of consideration for a Yellow Pencil. This award is a mark of true creative brilliance.

For outstanding work that achieves true creative excellence. The career-defining Yellow Pencil commands deep industry respect.

For ground-breaking work. Only a handful of these are awarded each year, if any.

For exceptional projects that use the power of creativity to drive behavioural, environmental, societal or policy change. Replaces the Yellow Pencil in the Impact and Sustained Impact categories.

For early-stage projects that demonstrate the potential to drive behavioural, environmental, societal or policy change through creativity. Awarded to work in the Future Impact category.

Every year, D&AD’s president selects an industry hero whose contribution has been nothing but inspirational.

If you make it to the D&AD Wood Pencil winners list, then you've fought off some seriously tough competition and are miles ahead of the game.

To snag a Graphite Pencil, you have to hit the three judging criteria – a good idea, well executed, and relevant to the brief.

The D&AD Yellow Pencil is for outstanding work that nails the judging criteria and almost certainly causes a pang of jealousy.

The D&AD White Pencil is for next-level ideas that harness the power of creativity to do good in the world. It can be awarded for any of the briefs, if the work weaves in purpose.

Yellow and White winners compete for the award that represents the best of the best. What could look more impressive on your CV? The shared £2000 prize is a bonus.