To All Awards

2025 Student Awards

Call for Entry: November 25, 2024 - May 23, 2025
Results Notification: June 25, 2025

Get recognized for the work you've already completed

Any school or personal work created at any time during your academic, creative program is eligible to be entered into the 2025 Student Awards competition.

Whether you are just starting your journey or looking to launch your career, the Applied Arts Awards give you an advantage in this competitive market. So, draw attention to yourself now and be remembered when you send in your resume.

Breathtaking portfolio piece. Strut with confidence. Fast-track to landing your first job. Winning an Applied Arts Award is your best chance for success.

BE ONE OF THE STUDENTS THAT HOLD THE ATTENTION OF OUR 2025 JURORS!

2025 Call for Entry Kit 2025 Student Awards Categories Kit Awards Entries


Enter Now


Student Awards Jury

What's more rewarding than to put your work in front of mid-to senior-level creatives, all currently working in the creative industry today? Our jurors are award-winning creative professionals who've had the opportunity to work on some notorious advertising and branding campaigns for influential clients, such as Heinz, Adidas, Nike, and more. They know how to spot Award-worthy work.

Skye Deluz
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
BROKEN HEART LOVE AFFAIR
Toronto, ON

Skye Deluz is a Creative Director/Art Director with nearly 10 years of experience. Within her time in the industry, Skye has been awarded top honours at nearly every local and global award show, including a Gold Lion at Cannes on her recent campaign, Heinz "Ketchup Fraud". Before joining Broken Heart Love Affair, Skye created award-winning campaigns at Rethink Canada for brands such as IKEA, Kraft Heinz, Nestle, Scotiabank, YWCA, WestJet and Molson. Skye is also an instructor at Miami Ad School Toronto. | Alma Mater: Humber Polytechnic

Mykola Kovalenko
FOUNDER / DESIGN DIRECTOR
MYKOLA KOVALENKO STUDIO
Bratislava, Slovakia

Mykola is a famous Ukrainian graphic designer with 20 years of experience in design and runs his own design studio, Mykola Kovalenko Studio. He is an honorary member of the Ukrainian Art Directors Club, a member of the Slovakian Art Directors Club, a member of the Ukrainian Graphic Designers Association, "The 4-th Block" and the Czech Brno Biennale Designers Association. Mykola has over 150 awards at international design contests and festivals, including Red Dot Design Award, Golden Drum, The European Design Awards, Graphis, among many more. He's served as a member of the jury at international design festivals in Ukraine, Spain, Russia, Belarus and in other countries. | Alma Mater: Kyiv State Academy of Decorative and Applied Art and Design

Philippe Natewajko
ART DIRECTOR
TAM-TAM\TBWA
Montreal, QC

With over 19 years of experience, Philippe started in Paris and, after several years, settled in Montreal, initially as a freelancer and later solo or in teams through various Montreal agencies. His creativity has been rewarded with 27 awards and distinctions in Quebec and across Canada. In 2021, he entered the top 100 of the Strategy Creative Report Card, ranking 85th as an Art Director. | Alma Mater: Condé Paris Art School

Alanna Nathanson
CO-CEO & CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER
G&G ADVERTISING
Toronto, ON

Alanna has grown brands in every category while winning a multitude of top industry awards. She's proud to have helped build G&G, a Division of Acart, into an A-list indie shop, which has won both creative and business accolades, including Top Employer for Young People 5 years in a row, Canada's Growth 500 for fastest-growing companies and Silver Ad Age Agency of the Year. While overseeing meaningful, memorable work that drives success, she has also instructed/mentored at the Miami Ad School Toronto and co-founded the Mighty Women List, launched a gin company, and, most impressively, binged all of Netflix. | Alma Mater: McGill University, and Humber Polytechnic

Ash Phillips
CO-FOUNDER/CREATIVE DIRECTOR
SIX CINQUIÈME
Montreal, QC

Ash Phillips is the co-founder and CEO of Six Cinquième, a Montreal-based Strategic Brand consultancy. She helps visionary brands define and express their legacies to shape a better future. Since 2016, Ash has excelled as an artist, designer, brand strategist, and entrepreneur in the creative industry. She is a beacon of inspiration for women of colour, fostering inclusivity while delivering high-quality visuals backed by strategic design thinking. Her work has garnered recognition from Adweek, Digiday, Print Magazine, Design Week, RGD awards, Applied Arts and more. | Alma Mater: Collège Ahuntsic

Chenice Piercy
ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
ANGRY BUTTERFLY
Toronto, ON

Chenice has been dreaming up big (and sometimes weird) ideas for as long as she can remember. Fortunately, she is now paid to do that as associate creative director at Angry Butterfly. As a queer woman, Chenice is passionate about championing authentic representation in our industry, both on and off the screen. Her work has been recognized globally by Cannes Lions, D&AD, The One Show, LIAs, Applied Arts, Communication Arts, and more. | Alma Mater: Mohawk College

Reid Plaxton
SENIOR ART DIRECTOR
ADAM&EVE DDB
New York, NY

After realizing an undergraduate degree in International Development wasn't for him, Reid found his way into advertising (almost as an accounts person) and hasn't looked back. He began his career as an intern at TAXI. Since then, he has gone to work at NFA and is currently at adam&eveDDB in New York, bringing that signature Canadian advertising mindset to the Big Apple. | Alma Mater: Humber Polytechnic

Sian Sargent
SENIOR DESIGNER
TOGETHER DESIGN LONDON
London, UK

Sian brings over 20 years of experience in the design industry, having honed her skills at leading London design agencies and in-house roles before joining Together Design London. As a senior designer at Together, Sian collaborates on diverse projects for high-profile clients, including Walgreens Boots Alliance, Royal Mail, and Netflix. With a passion for the conceptual stages of design, Sian enjoys bringing ideas to life by exploring innovative packaging formats, materials, and print finishes, always with meticulous attention to detail. Her creative process is further driven by a deep interest in researching retail and consumer trends, ensuring her work stays fresh, relevant, and impactful. | Alma Mater: Loughborough University

Zia Somjee
CO-FOUNDER / DESIGN & STRATEGY
ZAK DESIGN STUDIO
Vancouver, BC

Zia is a designer and creative strategist who works at the intersection of design and strategy, seamlessly connecting high-level marketing communications goals to creative projects. As the co-founder of ZAK, a Vancouver-based creative agency, Zia leads projects from kickoff to final rollout. From crafting robust brand positioning and compelling brand stories to developing visual identity systems and dynamic motion graphics, Zia combines strategy and creativity to deliver cohesive and memorable visual solutions that elevate brands across industries. | Alma Mater: Wilson School of Design at Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Nathan Styles
ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
PUBLICIS
Toronto, ON

Nathan is an Associate Creative Director (art director) based out of Hamilton, Ontario and is currently making magic at Publicis in Toronto. He is always striving to create impactful work that doesn't go unnoticed in the world. When he isn't parked behind his computer screen, you can find him in the trails around Hamilton with his camera, camping in the backcountry, or grabbing a beer with some friends (Fairweather is a must if you're in Hamilton). His work has been awarded at the Cannes Lions, ONE Show, ADCCs, Applied Arts, CMAs, Strategy, Marketing, Atomic, NACs, and OBIEs. | Alma Mater: Mohawk College

Melissa Thorne
ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
WJ AGENCY
Calgary, AB

Melissa is an accomplished associate creative director with over a decade of experience in design, specializing in creating innovative visual brands and user experiences. Passionate about inclusive design and accessibility, Melissa has been a driving force behind numerous award-winning projects across diverse industries and a consistent advocate for design that's both creative and accessible. | Alma Mater: Alberta University of the Arts

Steve Valette
GROUP CREATIVE DIRECTOR
CRITICAL MASS
Calgary, AB

Steve is a creative leader with a knack for turning ideas into unforgettable experiences for some of the world's biggest brands. As group creative director at Critical Mass, he brings bold thinking and fresh energy to Mitsubishi Motors North America's creative work. His career spans brand identity, marketing, and digital innovation for clients like Apple, AT&T, Blizzard Entertainment, and GoDaddy. Steve is known for combining thoughtful design with sharp strategy to create work that connects. Before joining Critical Mass, Steve led creative teams at Deloitte Digital in Sydney. He also spent five years at Massive, shaping intuitive designs for brands like Telstra, Qantas, and Virgin Atlantic—helping them stand out in competitive markets.

Olivier Ventura
SENIOR ART DIRECTOR
FCB MONTRÉAL
Montreal, QC

Olivier began his career as an art director in France and has been pursuing it in Canada for the past 15 years. He has honed his skills in various commercial arts related to advertising, making it easy for him to adapt to any style or create a new one. On a conceptual level, Olivier excels at developing narrative frameworks that engage core audiences while delivering messages that speak to all. He has also built solid experience in experiential advertising across North America, enabling him to craft creative solutions that effectively reach even distant audiences, regardless of budget. Olivier loves to think that advertisers are anthropologists with artistic skills. | Alma Mater: ISCOM

Luke Woodard
ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
OGILVY TORONTO
Toronto, ON

Crawling out of a mire of dead-end jobs, Luke returned to school at 29 to pursue a career in advertising. Despite the social stigma of being a 31-year-old intern (he had never been that cool anyway). In the years since, he has worked for several top agencies, been nominated for an Emmy, ranked among the top 25 creative directors globally, and was the #1 art director at the 2024 One Show. He currently lives in Toronto with his wife and their two cute, though annoying, dogs. | Alma Mater: Humber Polytechnic

Shaikh Ziyad
ART DIRECTOR
ARRIVALS+DEPARTURES
Halifax, NS

With over two decades of experience, Ziyad has refined his skills as an art director and creative professional, working with leading advertising agencies such as M&C Saatchi, Leo Burnett, JWT, and Lowe. He has spearheaded award-winning campaigns for global brands like Emirates, Axe, Johnson & Johnson, and HSBC, as well as local brands such as The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and Atlantic Lottery. Ziyad's work has garnered 26 prestigious awards, including Cannes Lions, London International, New York Festival, Epica, Campaign Middle East, MENA Cristal, Dubai Lynx, and ICE Awards. A former co-founder of RASAS, he currently works at Arrivals+Departures in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Passionate about brand development, Ziyad is enthusiastic about collaborating on transformative campaigns that make a global impact. | Alma Mater: Rachana Sansad

Skye Deluz
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
BROKEN HEART LOVE AFFAIR
Toronto, ON

Skye Deluz is a Creative Director/Art Director with nearly 10 years of experience. Within her time in the industry, Skye has been awarded top honours at nearly every local and global award show, including a Gold Lion at Cannes on her recent campaign, Heinz "Ketchup Fraud". Before joining Broken Heart Love Affair, Skye created award-winning campaigns at Rethink Canada for brands such as IKEA, Kraft Heinz, Nestle, Scotiabank, YWCA, WestJet and Molson. Skye is also an instructor at Miami Ad School Toronto. | Alma Mater: Humber Polytechnic

Mykola Kovalenko
FOUNDER / DESIGN DIRECTOR
MYKOLA KOVALENKO STUDIO
Bratislava, Slovakia

Mykola is a famous Ukrainian graphic designer with 20 years of experience in design and runs his own design studio, Mykola Kovalenko Studio. He is an honorary member of the Ukrainian Art Directors Club, a member of the Slovakian Art Directors Club, a member of the Ukrainian Graphic Designers Association, "The 4-th Block" and the Czech Brno Biennale Designers Association. Mykola has over 150 awards at international design contests and festivals, including Red Dot Design Award, Golden Drum, The European Design Awards, Graphis, among many more. He's served as a member of the jury at international design festivals in Ukraine, Spain, Russia, Belarus and in other countries. | Alma Mater: Kyiv State Academy of Decorative and Applied Art and Design

Philippe Natewajko
ART DIRECTOR
TAM-TAM\TBWA
Montreal, QC

With over 19 years of experience, Philippe started in Paris and, after several years, settled in Montreal, initially as a freelancer and later solo or in teams through various Montreal agencies. His creativity has been rewarded with 27 awards and distinctions in Quebec and across Canada. In 2021, he entered the top 100 of the Strategy Creative Report Card, ranking 85th as an Art Director. | Alma Mater: Condé Paris Art School

Alanna Nathanson
CO-CEO & CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER
G&G ADVERTISING
Toronto, ON

Alanna has grown brands in every category while winning a multitude of top industry awards. She's proud to have helped build G&G, a Division of Acart, into an A-list indie shop, which has won both creative and business accolades, including Top Employer for Young People 5 years in a row, Canada's Growth 500 for fastest-growing companies and Silver Ad Age Agency of the Year. While overseeing meaningful, memorable work that drives success, she has also instructed/mentored at the Miami Ad School Toronto and co-founded the Mighty Women List, launched a gin company, and, most impressively, binged all of Netflix. | Alma Mater: McGill University, and Humber Polytechnic

Ash Phillips
CO-FOUNDER/CREATIVE DIRECTOR
SIX CINQUIÈME
Montreal, QC

Ash Phillips is the co-founder and CEO of Six Cinquième, a Montreal-based Strategic Brand consultancy. She helps visionary brands define and express their legacies to shape a better future. Since 2016, Ash has excelled as an artist, designer, brand strategist, and entrepreneur in the creative industry. She is a beacon of inspiration for women of colour, fostering inclusivity while delivering high-quality visuals backed by strategic design thinking. Her work has garnered recognition from Adweek, Digiday, Print Magazine, Design Week, RGD awards, Applied Arts and more. | Alma Mater: Collège Ahuntsic

Chenice Piercy
ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
ANGRY BUTTERFLY
Toronto, ON

Chenice has been dreaming up big (and sometimes weird) ideas for as long as she can remember. Fortunately, she is now paid to do that as associate creative director at Angry Butterfly. As a queer woman, Chenice is passionate about championing authentic representation in our industry, both on and off the screen. Her work has been recognized globally by Cannes Lions, D&AD, The One Show, LIAs, Applied Arts, Communication Arts, and more. | Alma Mater: Mohawk College

Reid Plaxton
SENIOR ART DIRECTOR
ADAM&EVE DDB
New York, NY

After realizing an undergraduate degree in International Development wasn't for him, Reid found his way into advertising (almost as an accounts person) and hasn't looked back. He began his career as an intern at TAXI. Since then, he has gone to work at NFA and is currently at adam&eveDDB in New York, bringing that signature Canadian advertising mindset to the Big Apple. | Alma Mater: Humber Polytechnic

Sian Sargent
SENIOR DESIGNER
TOGETHER DESIGN LONDON
London, UK

Sian brings over 20 years of experience in the design industry, having honed her skills at leading London design agencies and in-house roles before joining Together Design London. As a senior designer at Together, Sian collaborates on diverse projects for high-profile clients, including Walgreens Boots Alliance, Royal Mail, and Netflix. With a passion for the conceptual stages of design, Sian enjoys bringing ideas to life by exploring innovative packaging formats, materials, and print finishes, always with meticulous attention to detail. Her creative process is further driven by a deep interest in researching retail and consumer trends, ensuring her work stays fresh, relevant, and impactful. | Alma Mater: Loughborough University

Zia Somjee
CO-FOUNDER / DESIGN & STRATEGY
ZAK DESIGN STUDIO
Vancouver, BC

Zia is a designer and creative strategist who works at the intersection of design and strategy, seamlessly connecting high-level marketing communications goals to creative projects. As the co-founder of ZAK, a Vancouver-based creative agency, Zia leads projects from kickoff to final rollout. From crafting robust brand positioning and compelling brand stories to developing visual identity systems and dynamic motion graphics, Zia combines strategy and creativity to deliver cohesive and memorable visual solutions that elevate brands across industries. | Alma Mater: Wilson School of Design at Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Nathan Styles
ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
PUBLICIS
Toronto, ON

Nathan is an Associate Creative Director (art director) based out of Hamilton, Ontario and is currently making magic at Publicis in Toronto. He is always striving to create impactful work that doesn't go unnoticed in the world. When he isn't parked behind his computer screen, you can find him in the trails around Hamilton with his camera, camping in the backcountry, or grabbing a beer with some friends (Fairweather is a must if you're in Hamilton). His work has been awarded at the Cannes Lions, ONE Show, ADCCs, Applied Arts, CMAs, Strategy, Marketing, Atomic, NACs, and OBIEs. | Alma Mater: Mohawk College

Melissa Thorne
ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
WJ AGENCY
Calgary, AB

Melissa is an accomplished associate creative director with over a decade of experience in design, specializing in creating innovative visual brands and user experiences. Passionate about inclusive design and accessibility, Melissa has been a driving force behind numerous award-winning projects across diverse industries and a consistent advocate for design that's both creative and accessible. | Alma Mater: Alberta University of the Arts

Steve Valette
GROUP CREATIVE DIRECTOR
CRITICAL MASS
Calgary, AB

Steve is a creative leader with a knack for turning ideas into unforgettable experiences for some of the world's biggest brands. As group creative director at Critical Mass, he brings bold thinking and fresh energy to Mitsubishi Motors North America's creative work. His career spans brand identity, marketing, and digital innovation for clients like Apple, AT&T, Blizzard Entertainment, and GoDaddy. Steve is known for combining thoughtful design with sharp strategy to create work that connects. Before joining Critical Mass, Steve led creative teams at Deloitte Digital in Sydney. He also spent five years at Massive, shaping intuitive designs for brands like Telstra, Qantas, and Virgin Atlantic—helping them stand out in competitive markets.

Olivier Ventura
SENIOR ART DIRECTOR
FCB MONTRÉAL
Montreal, QC

Olivier began his career as an art director in France and has been pursuing it in Canada for the past 15 years. He has honed his skills in various commercial arts related to advertising, making it easy for him to adapt to any style or create a new one. On a conceptual level, Olivier excels at developing narrative frameworks that engage core audiences while delivering messages that speak to all. He has also built solid experience in experiential advertising across North America, enabling him to craft creative solutions that effectively reach even distant audiences, regardless of budget. Olivier loves to think that advertisers are anthropologists with artistic skills. | Alma Mater: ISCOM

Luke Woodard
ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
OGILVY TORONTO
Toronto, ON

Crawling out of a mire of dead-end jobs, Luke returned to school at 29 to pursue a career in advertising. Despite the social stigma of being a 31-year-old intern (he had never been that cool anyway). In the years since, he has worked for several top agencies, been nominated for an Emmy, ranked among the top 25 creative directors globally, and was the #1 art director at the 2024 One Show. He currently lives in Toronto with his wife and their two cute, though annoying, dogs. | Alma Mater: Humber Polytechnic

Shaikh Ziyad
ART DIRECTOR
ARRIVALS+DEPARTURES
Halifax, NS

With over two decades of experience, Ziyad has refined his skills as an art director and creative professional, working with leading advertising agencies such as M&C Saatchi, Leo Burnett, JWT, and Lowe. He has spearheaded award-winning campaigns for global brands like Emirates, Axe, Johnson & Johnson, and HSBC, as well as local brands such as The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and Atlantic Lottery. Ziyad's work has garnered 26 prestigious awards, including Cannes Lions, London International, New York Festival, Epica, Campaign Middle East, MENA Cristal, Dubai Lynx, and ICE Awards. A former co-founder of RASAS, he currently works at Arrivals+Departures in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Passionate about brand development, Ziyad is enthusiastic about collaborating on transformative campaigns that make a global impact. | Alma Mater: Rachana Sansad

Judging Process

All work is entered and judged digitally. There are no hard copies. Therefore, please read our RECOMMENDED BEST PRACTICES, under the ENTRY MATERIAL GUIDELINES section ensure you submit your work properly for maximum impact.

The judges are divided into groups, with each viewing a different and random group of entries. Each judge reviews and scores entries separately. Judges do not confer or discuss their work, and there is only one round of judging.

Entries are given one total score, based on three criteria only:

  1. Creative merit.
  2. Technical excellence.
  3. Suitability for end use in the category it was submitted to.

NOTE: Entries submitted to the high school categories are judged with the level of experience and available resources taken into consideration.


Eligibility

This competition is open internationally to post-secondary (undergraduate and graduate studies) and high-school students. Entries must be submitted digitally in high-resolution format. Only digital entries are accepted.

High-School Students | Are only eligible to apply to the high school categories.

Graduates | If you graduated from a post-secondary school within the past year, you may still submit work completed during your studies.

Work completed either as a school requirement or independently (personal work), during any year of your schooling, is eligible to be submitted to the competition (but not work submitted previously).


Categories & Entry Fees

Entry fees vary per sub-grouping and category. Download the 2025 Student Categories Kit for detailed pricing.

CREATIVE ADVERTISING SINGLE / SERIES: $35 | CAMPAIGNS: $45
Brand Activation Campaign
Concept Development Campaign
Copywriting for Advertising – NEW
Digital Advertising
Digital Experimental/Innovative Campaign
Experiential/Event
Print Advertising
PR/Viral Campaign
Radio
Social Responsibility
Video Advertising

DESIGN - SINGLE / SERIES: $35 | PROGRAMS: $45
Brand Identity Design
Logo Design
Concept Development
Digital Content
Digital Experimental/Innovative
Editorial Design
Game Design & Development
Motion
Packaging Design
Product Development
Promotional Design
Social Responsibility
Typeface Design
Website
Typography
Website and App Design

DIGITAL, MOTION & GAMING - SINGLE / SERIES: $45
Animation
Digital Content
Game Design & Development
Motion
Website and App Design

ILLUSTRATION - SINGLE / SERIES: $35
Animation
Cartoon/Comic illustration
Conceptual Illustration
Editorial Illustration
Graphic Novel Illustration - NEW
Packaging Illustration – NEW
Social Responsibility Illustration - NEW
3D Modelling
Photo Illustration/Mixed Media

PHOTOGRAPHY - SINGLE / SERIES: $35
Conceptual Photography
Food Photography
Lifestyle photography
Motion
Nature, landscape & Wildlife
Portrait Photography
Photo Illustration/Mixed Media
Photo Manipulation

HIGH SCHOOL - SINGLE / SERIES: $20
Entries can be from any application from the sub-groupings above.


Entry Material Guidelines

Acceptable file formats and restrictions

STILLS

* Multipage PDFs are allowed and recommended over individual PDF or JPG files.

MOTION

RESTRICTIONS

Main Entry Files

REQUIRED
Your Main Entry File(s) must clearly show the entry (ideally with no additional graphics) in hi-res format.

PERMITTED

SINGLE | 1 File

A single unit – Such as an ad, annual report, book/publication, multiple-page brochure, poster, environmental signage for an event/storefront, website, etc.

SERIES | 3 Files maximum

2 – 3 units – i.e. A family of logos, packages, ads, package, posters.

CAMPAIGN | 6 files maximum

Up to 6 elements/units from an entire campaign or program to promote an event, brand, product, service or business.

NOTE ON MULTIPAGE PDFS: Recommended when incorporating any additional images into the maximum number of files allowed (e.g. the image in context, inside pages from a book, or multiple views of 3-dimensional entries such as packaging). It only counts as 1 file.

Support Files

Support Files are for clarity to assist the judges. They are not for publication (except where noted) and do not count towards the file limitations noted above. These files can be added to your main entry material or uploaded to the Supporting Materials of the ENTRY MATERIALS section. Only one file/URL may be uploaded.

REQUIRED
~ English translations for non-English entries: Include any important text (e.g. headlines and the entry title) either as a Support File or within a multipage PDF as your Main Entry File.

PERMITTED
~ Brief descriptions: Are recommended in cases where the use/intention is not obvious or to provide further clarity for the judges. Limit to 50 words in English (10-second intro for motion).
~ Case studies: Not recommended (as outcomes are not a consideration for judges in scoring), case studies can be added ONLY as a Support File and should be limited to max. 50 words in English (or up to 45s for videos). REMINDER: The actual creative is to be judged as your Main Entry File.

NOT PERMITTED
~ Uploading the same creative: Do not submit the same creative either as a file or URL if it's already been added as the Main Entry File.
~ Entrant information: Do not add a watermark that identifies the entrant on the Support files/URLs.

RECOMMENDED BEST PRACTICES

Judging is online. Here's how to help the judges:


How To Enter

The entry form consists of five (5) steps. You will have the option to save your progress during each step of the process.

Create your Account.

This is your Applied Arts account. To start entering or to review existing entries, go to My Account and click on the Awards Entries link. Account information can be edited by clicking the "Edit Profile" on the My Account homepage.

Bookmark https://www.appliedartsmag.com/myaccount/ for easy access to your account later.

Be sure to provide a phone number and email address that you access regularly outside of school when setting up your account. All winners will be notified in June, so it is CRUCIAL that you are available to provide any additional images or information we may need for the Awards Annual.

NOTE: If you've entered the Applied Arts Awards previously, please use the email address associated with your account.

All entrants must complete an online entry form in Awards Entries, regardless of payment method, to be eligible for entry.

View a sample entry

Step 1: Entry Information

Select the Student Awards competition, choose a sub-group, category and your entry title.

Step 2: Entry Materials

Entry format: All entries are to be submitted in digital format. See the ENTRY MATERIAL GUIDELINES section above for detailed specifications and helpful tips.

Step 3: Winners' Information

THIS SECTION IS FOR PUBLICATION ONLY AND IS NOT VISIBLE TO THE JUDGES. Please review the information carefully. After the winners have been notified, you will only have 48 hours to make edits.

The "Winner" field is the primary individual you want to be credited on the piece (i.e. the student).

NOTE: In instances of a group project enter only the first individual of the team as in the "Winner" field. The other team member(s) should be added in the CREATIVE CREDITS section. (See Step 4: CREATIVE CREDITS for further explanation on how to enter additional names so that they are properly credited as "Winners").

Optional fields: Phone, email, web address, social handles, and the URL to the winning entry (typically, for motion entries). If these are entered, they will be published beside your winning work.

NOTE: We recommend including the URL as, due to file sizes, we don't upload the MP4 files directly for viewing in the Winners Gallery. They are only used for judging.

Description of Entry: For the purpose of providing a brief creative summary of the project to be published beside your winning entry. The description is limited to a maximum of 500 characters (includes spaces).

NOTE: The "Descriptions of Entry" are for publication use only and are not shown to the judges.

Step 4: Creative Credits

Credits are a summary of the individual(s) or organizations(s) that have worked on the project (i.e. instructor, school, or program).

A maximum of 6 creative credit roles will be published in the Annual, however, any/all creative credits you entered will appear in the online Winners Gallery.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Step 5: Certificate information

Winners will receive one certificate for each winning entry. Complete the winning individual you wish to appear on the certificate. The entry title with the category the project won, and school will automatically be included on the certificate. You will have the opportunity to order additional certificates once winners have been notified.

NEXT: FINALIZING YOUR ENTRY
After Step 5, the entry form is complete. Press the "Save" button to return to the "Awards Entries" dashboard to submit a new entry, copy an existing entry to a new category, or submit payment.

IMPORTANT: A submitted entry is not final and entered in the competition until it's paid for. Entries may be edited until paid. Once payment has been processed, it is final.

Enter Now


Payment & Refunds

Entry fees vary. Check the Awards Categories Kit for entry fees. Once an entry is paid it is officially in the competition and cannot be modified.

Payments can be made by Visa, MasterCard or American Express (AmEx is for Canadian payments only at this time), or PayPal. US and international entry fees are payable in US funds.

We only accept cheques or direct deposits in special circumstances. These cases must be pre-approved. To request them, contact awards@appliedartsmag.com.

NOTE TO STUDENTS WITH A SCHOOL CODE
For students with a school code, please select "School Code" as the method of payment, followed by the school code issued by your instructor/school.

NOTE TO TEACHERS
If you have a large volume of student entries to submit and would like to organize payment through your school, contact awards@appliedartsmag.com for a School Group Code. We will track entries and issue an invoice.

Entries are non-refundable. If an entry is submitted to the same category, entrants will have the option to move the entry to another category or enter new work in its place.

Keep a record of your submissions.


Winners

All entrants will be notified by late June 2025 via email. At that time, you will have only 48 hours to correct or finalize creative credits and descriptions.

To ensure you don't miss the results notifications, add winners@appliedartsmag.com to your white list.

Award recipients will earn the following recognition for their outstanding work

ADD-ON OPPORTUNITIES FOR WINNERS*

  • Order additional certificates for your creative team, parents, etc. with an option to order a plaque-mounted certificate.
  • Order additional copies of the Student & Advertising Awards Annual at a discounted price.
  • Order a personalized, engraved Awards trophy. This attractive and original Lucite AACE cube is 3.5x3.5x3.5 square inches.

*Additional fees apply


Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility FAQ

I'm a high school student. Can I enter? Yes. There are a limited number of categories available for high-school students in the Student Awards competition. The rest of the categories are open only to post-secondary students attending a college, university or other type of art school.

I am currently studying a post-graduate/graduate program, am I still eligible to enter? Yes. You are still eligible to enter the Student Awards competition.

Am I still eligible to enter if I recently graduated? If you've graduated in the past year you are still eligible to enter the Student Awards. You may also qualify to submit work to the Young Blood categories in the professional competitions. Please see the specific discipline for eligibility.

Judging FAQ

Will the judges see my descriptions during the judging? Judges do not see the creative descriptions you have entered. These are only for publishing beside your entry if chosen as a winner. If you feel judges need an explanatory note, you may include a brief description as a Support File (no more than 50 words or 10 seconds for broadcast/video).

Categories FAQ

Can I enter a piece in multiple categories? Yes. In your account on the Awards Entries home page, click "Copy" on any entry you've created. Be sure to change the discipline and/or entry category to the new one you want to submit to.

Which category does my entry belong in? Often the best way to understand a category is to see previous work that won in that category. Check our online Winners Gallery for examples. If you still have questions regarding our categories or require assistance in selecting the appropriate category, contact awards@appliedartsmag.com.

NOTE: Applied Arts reserves the right to move an entry to another category if we feel it unsuitable or incorrectly categorized.

Is my entry a single series, and campaign? A single means one piece, and series means you are submitting more than one piece of the same project to a maximum of three. A campaign is up to six pieces for the Student competition. If an entry contains more than the specified images, we will either contact you to split the submission into multiple entries, or choose which ones will be judged, so it's best to stick to the indicated number of pieces specified.

Entry Material FAQ

At what specs do I need to submit my entry? Refer to ENTRY MATERIAL GUIDELINES section for specifications.

Can I submit a hard copy or disk? No. Only digital uploads are accepted.

The program crashed. Did I lose everything? No. You are saving your work as you go through each section of the entry form. If the program crashes as you are completing a certain section, it may not have been saved in that section.

The file I uploaded won't show me a preview. Why? You may not see the image preview if you haven't followed the specs outlined in ENTRY MATERIAL GUIDELINES. Check your file and re-upload. If you continue to experience difficulties, try clearing your browser history or contact awards@appliedartsmag.com.

I uploaded the wrong file. Can I change it? Yes. You can resubmit images at any time until payment is made. Click the "X" beside the appropriate file and re-upload your image.

NOTE: The thumbnail image may not correctly display your new image. If this happens close your browser and log back into "Awards Entries" for the changes to show. If you continue to experience difficulties, try clearing your browser history or contact awards@appliedartsmag.com.

Rights FAQ

Do I need to get the rights of the subjects or material used from external sources in my entry? It is the responsibility of the entrant to ensure copyright is not infringed. Upon entry you must grant us the rights to reproduce the image or images for both our online and print publications, so you would most likely need to have these rights in place to protect yourself. Although you do not need to send us a copy of the release forms, we do suggest that you have them. Entrants who request we don't run their winning work because they don't have the rights will not be refunded for their entry. NOTE: Student work is often exempt from copyright rules.

What rights do I retain if my work is chosen? You retain all rights to your images.

Payment FAQ

How do students enter and pay? Payments can be made by Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, or with a School Code. If using a school Code select the "School Code" option under Payment Method to finalize the entries.

Can I submit more entries after paying? Yes. In Awards Entries, you will have the opportunity to submit additional entries even if others already entered have been paid. This will simply generate a new confirmation email when you complete your entries with payment.

I want to change something after I've paid. What do I do? Once an entry is paid, you cannot change the category, entry title, entry format, winners information, description of entry, or credits. A paid entry is final, so check carefully before proceeding to the payment field. If chosen as a winner, you will be given a small window of time to add or edit information.

Can I get a refund? Entries are non-refundable; costs cover administration, processing and the judging of the entry. A submission of entry acknowledges acceptance of these rules.

I'm getting error messages when I try to pay. What do I do? If you entered your payment information incorrectly on your first attempt, any subsequent attempts would be declined, even if you change your payment type. Close your browser and log back into Awards Entries. You should now be able to proceed with payment. If you continue to experience difficulties, contact awards@appliedartsmag.com.

Winners FAQ

If I win, what image will you use for reproduction? We will use the image(s) you submitted on entry. In the case of series, complete, campaign or motion, we select a sampling at our discretion from the images/files submitted.


Contact

Questions? If you've checked all of the above sections and cannot find the answer to your question, or if you are having difficulty entering, contact awards@appliedartsmag.com.


Disclaimer

Applied Arts reserves the right to amend these rules throughout the competition. Applied Arts assumes all entries are original and the property of the entrant, with all rights granted therein. Applied Arts reserves the rights to publish or exhibit entries for our print or electronic formats, or related promotions. Entries are non-refundable. Costs cover administration, processing, and the judging of the entry. Entries may be moved to a more suitable category, if Applied Arts deems the category chosen unsuitable. All descriptions and credits are subject to be edited for length, clarity and grammar in accordance with the Applied Arts editorial style guide. A submission of entry acknowledges acceptance of these rules.