Applied Arts Design Awards 2027

The Applied Arts Design Awards are an annual design competition run by Applied Arts, Canada's magazine for visual communications. The 2027 edition covers brand identity, packaging, editorial, environmental, digital and other design work, and is open to professionals from Canada and around the world. Entry opens on 23 November 2026 and closes on 12 March 2027, with results on 14 April 2027.

The awards have no quotas: judges score each entry independently, and every entry above the cut-off score is declared a winner.

Categories

Categories are grouped by discipline, with single, series and complete programme options:

• Branding: logos, identity applications, rebrands and complete identity programmes
• Environmental & Experiential: signage and wayfinding, spaces, events and activations
• Editorial & Publication: annual reports, books, magazines and individual covers or spreads
• Packaging: beverages, food, consumer products, promotional packaging and complete packaging programmes
• Further groups, including digital design, listed in the category guide on the official website

Who Can Enter the Applied Arts Design Awards?

Designers, studios, agencies and in-house teams from Canada and worldwide, for work produced during the eligibility period from March 2026 to March 2027. There are dedicated tracks for Young Blood entrants early in their careers and for Canadian Small Community / Business work, which are judged with experience or market scale in mind. Current students must enter the separate Applied Arts Student Awards. It suits:

• Brand identity and packaging designers
• Editorial and book designers
• Studios looking for recognition in Canada and North America

Fees

Fees depend on the category and format. Single entries such as a logo or a packaging design cost $65 CAD; series cost $85 CAD; entries such as a brand identity with applications cost $100 CAD; complete programmes and book or publication series cost $125 CAD.

Judging

The jury brings together creative leaders from Canada and abroad. Each entry is judged on creative merit, technical excellence and suitability for its purpose. Entries with key content in another language must include an English translation, and entrants must disclose any material use of generative AI.

What Winners Receive

Winning work is published in the Photography, Illustration & Design Awards Annual and in the online Winners Gallery and Awards Archive. Winners also receive an official certificate and a winner badge to use on portfolios and websites.

Tips for Entering

Pick the category that fits most precisely, and use series or programme entries when the strength of a project lies in its system. For rebrands, include the before and after. Keep presentations clean, and let the work speak.

Preparing Your Entry

Read the category guide and the entry kit before you start, as each category sets out exactly what to upload: a logo only, a logo with up to five applications, or up to nine images for a programme or book. Follow those limits closely, since extra context in a logo-only category can count against you. Photograph printed work and packaging professionally, on a neutral background, and show environmental work in its finished setting. Keep descriptions short and factual, and include English translations where needed.

Before You Pay

Check the eligibility period, choose single or series carefully, and confirm the total in the entry system, as fees add up quickly across several categories.

Things to Consider

• Fees per entry, in Canadian dollars.
• No quotas, so strong work is not crowded out.
• Students use the Student Awards.
• Deadline: 12 March 2027.

Enter the Awards

Ready to put your work in front of the jury?

Enter the Applied Arts Design Awards

Full categories, fees and rules are on the Applied Arts website.

Looking for more open calls? Browse all competitions and opportunities on Good Stuff Weekly.

Last verified: November 3, 2026