Communication Arts Design Competition 2026

Communication Arts Design Competition 2026 is the latest edition of the long-running juried program run by Communication Arts, inviting outstanding graphic design from across professional practice and education. The competition focuses on work first printed, published or aired from May 2025 through May 2026, covering a broad range of design fields including packaging, trademarks, identity systems, editorial, books, posters, motion graphics, environmental graphics and student work.

The scope is especially strong for entrants working across communication design formats rather than a single niche. Eligible submissions range from single pieces to series and large integrated branding programs, with categories for both client-facing commissions and self-promotional work. The competition also includes nonprofit and student sections, making it relevant to studios, independent designers, agencies, institutions and emerging practitioners alike.

For entrants, the value of the competition lies in its specialist jury, its long-established place within the Communication Arts annuals, and the visibility that comes with selection in a respected design-focused context. Because the categories span everything from print systems to motion and environmental design, the award offers a useful platform for presenting both craft and strategic thinking within the wider field of graphic design.

Entry fee: Entry fees vary by category and format, from $20 for certain student JPG entries to $300 for Integrated Branding Programs; most professional single JPG entries are $45, common series entries are $90, PDFs are often $60 to $120, and video entries often range from $45 to $220, with a $10 late fee per entry after May 8, 2026.