Graphic Design Competitions

Questions

Which graphic design competitions are free to enter?

Poster contests run by film festivals and cultural organisations are often free, and some international design awards waive fees for students. Use the Entry fee filter to see only free graphic design competitions, and check each listing for how the organiser may use your design.

Are poster competitions worth entering?

Yes, especially early in your career. A poster brief is short and self-contained, winning designs are usually printed and exhibited, and selected posters often appear in catalogues that art directors and studios look through.

Can students enter graphic design awards?

Many awards have student categories or separate student competitions with lower fees, and some are open to everyone regardless of experience. The Eligibility row on each listing says who can enter.

What happens to the rights to my design?

You usually keep the copyright, but you allow the organiser to reproduce your work to promote the competition. For poster contests where the winning design becomes the official poster, the winner normally grants wider usage rights; read the terms before you enter.

How often is this list updated?

New graphic design competitions are added every week, and every listing shows the date its details were last checked against the official site. Closed competitions move to the bottom of the page.