D&AD Awards
When it comes to awards, nothing matters more.
D&AD Pencils
If you’re already credited on a winning entry from any year, there’s a D&AD Pencil with your name on it.
About the D&AD Pencils
Since 1962, the D&AD Pencil has represented the very best in design and advertising. Winning a Pencil remains the pinnacle of many careers and the work it celebrates inspires others to study, debate, copy and reference its excellence, as the industry's finest and most of historic treasures.
All D&AD Pencils are made with flawless quality in the UK from sustainable, FSC-certified wood stocks. We also work in partnership with D&AD Future Impact winner theOtherForest to plant a tree for every Pencil awarded. These trees are part of an innovative afforestation programme that's restoring vital biodiversity to much needed areas of Lebanon. You can read more about theOtherForest initiative here, or learn about the backstory of the Pencil below.
D&AD Award Levels
Shortlist
Work that demonstrates merit, worthy of recognition and in the top echelon of entries. It’s awarded in all categories in the first instance.
Wood Pencil
The best of the year in advertising, design, craft and Impact.
Graphite Pencil
For stand-out work that rises above the rest, worthy of consideration for a Yellow Pencil.
Yellow Pencil
The iconic D&AD Yellow Pencil, awarded only to outstanding work that achieves true creative excellence.
Black Pencil
The ultimate creative accolade, reserved for ground-breaking work. Only a handful of these are awarded each year, if any.
Category Awards
Next Pencil
Awarded to rising stars with extraordinary creative flair who are shaping the future of creativity and craft. Awarded to work in the Next categories.
Side Hustle Pencil
Awarded to inspiring, scalable projects that demonstrate creativity and innovation. Awarded to work in the Side Hustle category.
Future Impact Pencil
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.
White Pencil
Exceptional projects that use the power of creativity to drive behavioural, environmental, societal or policy change. Replaces the Yellow Pencil in the Impact category.
Collaborative Award
The Collaborative Award recognises the long-lasting relationships between clients and their design, advertising and production companies – leading to the creation of amazing work over time.
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