For over 35 years, Applied Arts Media has been the go-to destination for creative advice, insight and inspiration. The Applied Arts Awards celebrate innovative creativity, and capture the current visual arts landscape in Canada and beyond.
Creative Excellence. Celebrated.
The Applied Arts celebrate creativity in visual communications. Since 1992, we've helped advertising agencies, design firms, photographers, illustrators, and emerging artists gain industry-wide exposure—building careers, collaborations, and community across Canada and beyond.
All Entries are judged by an Internationally recognized jury of award-winning professionals who are actively working in advertising and design.
Winning work is showcased: in Applied Arts magazine, online in the Winners Gallery and archive, and shared across social media.
Winning work is showcased in Applied Arts magazine, online Winners Gallery and archive and shared across our social channels.
Opportunities for every stage
- Young Professionals: Explore Young Blood categories—open to entrants with under five years of professional experience in advertising or design, and under three years for Photography and Illustration.
- Small-Community/Business Professionals: Exclusively for CANADIAN creators in smaller markets or single-establishments. Small Community categories weigh local resources and budgets during judging.
- Students: If you're currently in secondary, post-secondary or graduate studies, you're only eligible for the Student Awards, where entries are judged alongside peers at a similar level.
News
Taking the Pulse with Ying Zhu
June 11, 2026
Ying Zhu, winner of the 2026 Applied Arts Young Blood Illustration Awards, is a Glasgow-based illustrator and visual designer whose multidisciplinary practice centres on memory, pain, and the body. Combining printmaking, drawing, and observational re ...
+ Read MoreThe future of design is more intentional than ever
June 10, 2026
Sponsored by the Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD) Few industries seem to move as quickly as the design industry. Campaigns launch, budgets wax and wane, tech evolves, trends emerge. All within the span of a year, a month, a week. De ...
+ Read MoreTaking the Pulse with Katherine Yang
June 9, 2026
Katherine Yang is a 2026 Applied Arts Young Blood Illustration Awards winner whose work combines scientific insight with a deep appreciation for the natural world. A recent graduate of the University of Southern California's Master’s program in E ...
+ Read MoreBruce Lee and ballet?!
June 2, 2026
When Cultural Icons Collide. What happens when you combine Bruce Lee, ballet, disco-era Hong Kong, and one of the world's most imaginative creative agencies? You get the latest campaign from Design Army for Hong Kong Ballet's world premiere product ...
+ Read MoreCurrent Issue
Discover the standout work from the 2025 Advertising & Student Awards competitions! This year's winners showcase creative excellence across the industry—established advertising pros and emerging student artists alike—spanning advertising, design, interactive, and image-based work. Dive into more than 350 winning projects across 150+ pages of inspiration. Find yourself inspired? Explore the possibilities of a fulfilling career in the creative industries in the Creative Futures Schools guide.
Click here for more information about the issue or for a list of our stockists.