1. BEFORE YOU GET STARTED

1. Check whether your work is eligible submission to our professional or student competitions.

   • All work submitted must have been produced or made publicly available between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2022.

   • Professional entries must have been produced by individuals (e.g. freelancers or independent designers), firms, or studios in DC, Maryland, Virginia, or West Virginia.

   • Student entries must have been produced as part of a course or program at an accredited postsecondary educational institution in DC, Virginia, or West Virginia.

2. PREPARE YOUR SUBMISSION

   WHAT TYPE OF WORK IS ACCEPTED?

   AIGA DC believes that good design transcends all labels, so our competition does not judge based on category or type of work. However, when submitting, you will be asked to select the type of work you are submitting. This is only to help with the organization of the judging process.

   WHAT INFORMATION DO I NEED TO PROVIDE?

   Our submission form will require you to provide the following information:

   • Your name, contact information, and the name of your firm (if applicable)

   • The name of your submission

   • Client (if applicable)

   • Background information about your entry

   • Student entries require an official contact within your educational institution that can verify details about your submission

   • A primary image (1:1) to represent your entry

   • You will be able to upload additional images, a video, and links as supporting materials.

   • If you would like to credit other contributors, you may also include their names and roles in your entry

   PREPARING YOUR FILES

   Please ensure that:

   • Provided images are in RGB; under 10MB; and in JPEG, PNG, or GIF formats

   • Uploaded videos are in MP4 format (h.264 encoding) and under 50MB

   • Supporting links are publicly accessible without needing a password

   HOW WILL MY WORK BE JUDGED?

   Entries are judged on the overall innovation, experience, effectiveness, and execution of the design solution and the design brief, without regard to category. Any pieces that were created in a speculative manner (e.g. work done prior to engagement with a client in anticipation of being or in hopes of winning a prize) are not eligible for this competition.

3. CREATE A FREE AIGA ACCOUNT

   When you access our submission platform and begin your entry, you will be redirected to an AIGA login page. You do not need an active (paid) AIGA membership to submit an entry. Creating an AIGA account is easy and free.

   
   Don’t have an AIGA account? Create a free account here.

4. REVIEW AND SEND YOUR SUBMISSION

   We encourage you to double-check all of the information you provide. If your entry is selected as a winner, we will use the information provided in all communications.

   SUBMISSION FEES

   Professional (AIGA Member Discount): $60 per entry
   Professional (Non-Member): $75 per entry
   

   Student (AIGA Member Discount): $20 per entry
   Student (Non-member): $30 per entry
   

   AIGA members enjoy discounts on entry fees! Join first to take advantage of this benefit! Learn more.
   

   Additional Discounts: Entrants who submit more than three (3) entries, will receive a $10 discount for additional entries.

5. DATES AND DEADLINES

   All entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 24th, 2022. Judging will take place in April, and winners will be notified by email.

6. RIGHTS RELEASE

   By entering the competition, you acknowledge AIGA DC’s right to display the accepted material in the exhibition, publications or online. AIGA DC also reserves the right to use accepted material for additional promotional and/or informational materials.

7. WINNING ENTRIES AND AWARDS GALA

   If your work is accepted, you will be asked for additional information regarding your entry. You may be required to send us physical copies of your entry to use in the exhibition. If your entry is electronic, environmental or oversized, we will work with you to determine the most appropriate way to display the piece in the exhibition and on our online gallery.

   Awards will be given to winners present at the AIGA 50 Gala or mailed to each winner following the event. All winners will be included in a special gallery on the AIGA DC website.

FEELING READY?