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Future Impact

Designed for creative leaders working towards sustainable change, a 12-month programme of mentoring, training, visibility and travel bursaries for winners of the Future Impact category at the D&AD Awards. Shortlist and Pencil winners for 2020 have now been announced.

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  • Learn more
  • The Council
  • See the winners

Future Impact exists to accelerate creative ideas that demonstrate the potential of driving positive change. It does so by recognising newly released or prototypical designs and initiatives; by elevating creativity for social good through a 12-month programme. Work must have ambition and scale, and prioritise people and planet alongside profit.

Future Impact is for prototypes, MVPs, product and services in alpha or beta testing or project seeking funds. Entry for 2020 is now closed and the winners have been announced. Stay tuned for details about Future Impact 2021 to be announced in November.

Learn more about Future Impact

  • What is it?

    Future Impact as a new category at D&AD Awards supports and accelerates ideas with the potential to create change.

    Innovators, entrepreneurs, creatives, students, designers, brands, start-ups and social enterprises are all invited to apply before the deadline of 15 July 2020. The winning cohort will have access to a shared prize fund delivered over 12 months; a combination of mentoring, training and visibility. Known as Future Impacters, they will also receive a coveted D&D Pencil and access to a creative, peer-driven network. 

    Our mission? To enable a cohort of Future Impacters to deliver tangible impact within 12 months.

  • Future Impact prize fund

    Shortlisted entrants will appear in our online archive and be considered for a place on the D&AD Impact Accelerator. Winning entrants receive the following:

    - D&AD Future Impact Pencil
    - Ticket to the D&AD Impact Accelerator
    - 10 hours of mentoring from the D&AD Impact Council
    - Annual membership of the D&AD Digital Campus
    - Annual awarded membership of D&AD
    - Free entry into the Impact Category of the D&AD Awards, valid for 3 years
    - Exposure to a global audience through D&AD and third party press 

    Due to the ongoing effects of Coronavirus, we will no longer be able to host a physical showcasing of Future Impact work in New York. However, we will ensure that all winners receive exposure on dandad.org and feature in the D&AD archive. Our Impact Council - whom are based internationally - will be joining us to highlight and share the winning work.

  • Impact Accelerator

    The D&AD Impact Accelerator is a tailored-made bootcamp, scheduled in October and hosted via Zoom. It's a unique blend of expert advice, practical workshops, mentoring, talks and peer-to-peer support, all designed to help your idea flourish and your business thrive.

    The accelerator will be open to winners of the Future Impact category and selected shortlisted entrants only. When submitting your work you will be asked whether you would like to attend, what you hope to gain from participating, and what you can offer your peers. 

    Due to the ongoing effects of Coronavirus, we will be hosting the accelerator remotely. Please check back in September for information on dates and times. Sessions will be scheduled according to the location of attendees.

  • Eligibility

    As a minimum, entrants must have proof of concept and be able to demonstrate the potential for driving positive change. 

    Prototypes, work that is approaching or undergoing testing, projects seeking funding and products in production are all eligible. New products, designs and initiatives are also eligible under the same conditions. Work that has been released is can be submitted, so long as it has not made an impact yet. 

    Anything that is having a tangible impact should be entered into Impact.

Everything you need to know

View 2020 winners

Discover what's changing the game for the better. View all the winning work of the 'Future Impacters' and see who's been shortlisted as 'Future Ones to Watch'.

  • See the winners

The Impact Council

Imagine your prototype, initiative or idea being seen by an esteemed group of business and thought leaders spanning the creative, investment, technology, sustainability, social impact and NGO space. The D&AD Impact Council are the ultimate resource to tap into. They judge the entries, mentor Future Impacters, participate in the accelerator and are an invaluable network to access.

Imagine your next step.

Key dates

Projects that have already made an impact

In addition to supporting creative ideas with the potential to make a positive difference, D&AD Awards recognise and celebrate projects, campaigns and initiatives that are already making an impact. See this year's Impact category Pencil winners for insight and inspiration into the work that is already benefiting business and society and demonstrating direct and tangible positive change.

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