Less than two weeks to enter D&AD Awards – entries close on 1st February 2012

There are only two weeks left to enter the annual D&AD Awards, with entries closing on 1st February 2012.

Over the last 49 years, D&AD has celebrated outstanding design and advertising that has influenced generations of creative talent. This year, the organisation’s ambition is to make the 50th D&AD Annual the ultimate benchmark in international commercial creativity, setting the standard for future generations of designers and advertising creatives.

Unlike other shows, D&AD only awards work of the highest standard, meaning that the quantity of top awards given fluctuates year on year and that D&AD juries will not award any entry if it does not merit the highest accolade. The scrutiny and rigour imposed by the internationally acclaimed judges is legendary, and ensures that only very best work receives the coveted Yellow and Black Pencils.

Judges for the 2012 awards have already been announced and this year’s entries will be scrutinised by such Industry greats as the UK’s John Hegarty, Brazil’s Anselmo Ramos, Prasoon Joshi from India, Yuya Furukawa from Japan and David Droga from the USA, amongst others.

Said John Hegarty: “D&AD’s 50th Awards are a milestone for the advertising and design industries. Over the past five decades, The Annual has remained the bible of commercial communication and getting a Pencil is the high point of many careers. This year, the juries are aware that they will be looking for work that is worthy of inclusion in the 50th Annual, and the scrutiny of the work will reflect this. Creatives that manage to get In Book in 2012 can honestly claim to be at the top of their game.”

Said Prasoon Joshi: “Even in changing times, D&AD has kept its relevance and integrity intact as an award show.  This year I’m judging the writing category and I can’t wait to see new approaches and  needless to say the sheer craft. I am truly looking forward to seeing work that holds great promise.”

Judges award work at four levels: In Book places the work in the D&AD Annual; Nomination shortlists work to be considered for Pencils; Yellow Pencils are awarded for outstanding work; Black Pencils are awarded to ground breaking work. All awarded work appears in the D&AD Annual, and In Book and Nomination winners can now claim Pencil Slices to mark their achievement.

For information on how to enter this year’s awards, visit www.dandad.org/50fwd.

Work entered must have been commercially released between January 2011 and December 2011.  It must have been produced in genuine response to a client brief and approved and paid for by that client.  Submissions should be made in their original language. The awards cost from just £85 to enter.