7th Bolu International Poster Design Competition

The Bolu International Poster Design Competition, known by its initials BIAH (Bolu International Art Hall), is organised by the Department of Graphic Arts at Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University in Türkiye. Now in its seventh edition, it invites designers from around the world to answer one theme with a poster, and it is free to enter.

The 2026 theme is "Beyond Horizons: Designing a Sustainable Future". The brief describes sustainability not only as an environmental issue but as a social, economic and technological question, and asks designers to look beyond established ways of thinking about knowledge, technology, production and society. Critical, conceptual, metaphorical and experimental approaches are all welcome.

BIAH is a non-profit project. Its organisers say the aim is not just to reward the best designer, but to build an international body of work that raises awareness through visual communication. The competition is linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, but it is organised independently of the United Nations.

Who Can Enter the Bolu International Poster Design Competition?

Participation is open to everyone and free of charge. There are no limits on age, nationality or professional status, so students, professional designers and self-taught makers compete together.

It is particularly relevant to:

• Graphic design and illustration students
• Poster designers and typographers
• Designers interested in social and environmental themes
• Teachers looking for a free international brief for their classes

What Can You Enter?

Original posters that respond to the theme. Each poster should relate to at least one of five Sustainable Development Goals.

Quality Education (SDG 4)

Access to education, equal access to knowledge, creative learning environments and lifelong learning.

Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)

Fair working conditions, entrepreneurship, creative industries and the changing nature of work.

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9)

Technology, digital transformation, sustainable infrastructure and a culture of innovation.

Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12)

Circular economy, conscious consumption, recycling and the efficient use of resources.

Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

Solidarity, cooperation between countries and communities, and the idea of a shared future.

There is no limit on the number of posters you can submit.

Entry Fees

Entry is free.

What Do Selected Entrants Receive?

• A digital certificate of participation for every designer whose poster is accepted for the exhibition
• The symbolic digital BIAH Achievement Certificate for the top three posters
• A seat on the jury of the next BIAH competition for the first-place winner
• Inclusion in the exhibition, the online exhibition and the catalogue

BIAH does not give cash prizes. This year's invited juror, Turkish designer Doğan Özdemir, won first place in 2025.

Submission Requirements

• A3 portrait format
• RGB colour mode
• JPEG/JPG file
• Text in English, or in your native language together with English
• A title or slogan can be included to support the image

Posters are submitted only through the online panel on the competition website.

Important Rules

• Posters must not include any logo, institution name or identifying mark, including the BIAH logo.
• Work must not have been exhibited, published or awarded before. Previously exhibited work is disqualified.
• No sponsors, commercial logos, political content, symbols that violate human rights or sexually explicit images.
• Generative AI can be used as a supporting tool, but the idea, visual language and creative decisions must be your own. You must declare the tools used and the level of use on the application form. This information is collected for research and does not affect judging.
• By entering, you give Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University the right to use images of your poster without payment in exhibitions, catalogues, websites, social media, education and promotion.

When Will Entrants Be Notified?

The organising committee first checks every poster against the rules and runs it through reverse image search tools such as TinEye and Google Lens. Posters that fall below the originality threshold do not reach the jury.

A jury of fifteen designers and academics from Türkiye, Poland, Taiwan, China, Slovakia, Canada, the United States and Russia then scores each poster from 1 to 10 in an online system. Names and countries are hidden from the jury. The final ranking is based on the average score.

After the results are published, the selected posters stay visible online for five days. If someone shows that a poster copies existing work, it is removed and the next poster moves up.

Selected posters are announced on 7 November 2026. Certificates and the exhibition catalogue follow on 20 December 2026.

Things to Consider

• Find a precise angle. "Sustainability" is broad. A poster about repair culture, shared tools or fair work will stand out more than another globe or leaf.
• Test it small. The jury sees posters on screen; check that the idea still reads at thumbnail size.
• Keep text short. One strong line in English is usually enough.
• Remove every identifying mark. Names, signatures and logos lead to disqualification.
• Do not reuse old posters. Anything exhibited or published before is not eligible.
• Submit early. The deadline is 8:00 PM Türkiye time and will not be extended.

Enter the Competition

Interested in submitting your work?

Enter the 7th Bolu International Poster Design Competition

For the full specification, the theme text and the submission panel, visit the official BIAH poster competition website.

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

Last verified: October 2, 2026