POSTER FOR International Poster Competition 2027

The POSTER FOR International Poster Competition is an annual call for socially engaged posters, now in its sixth edition. Designers and artists from any country create posters "for" a cause in five categories: climate, technology, art, culture and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, plus a hand-drawn category for young people under 19. Selected posters receive award certificates and are shown on billboards in Times Square, New York. The deadline is 10 January 2027.

The competition is large and inclusive: more than 200 designers are expected to be selected, and every selected entrant can appear on a Times Square screen at least once. Golden winners in each category receive a trophy and larger billboard slots.

There is a fee of $40 per poster and no limit on the number of entries.

Who Can Enter the POSTER FOR International Poster Competition?

Designers, artists and creative professionals of any nationality can enter. The Drawing/Art category is reserved for entrants under 19.

It is particularly relevant to:

• Poster and graphic designers
• Illustrators working on social themes
• Design students looking for an international showcase
• Young artists under 19 who draw by hand

What Can You Enter?

One poster per submission, in one of six categories:

• A. Poster for Climate
• B. Poster for Technology
• C. Poster for Art
• D. Poster for Culture: music, literature, history and more
• E. Poster for the 17 UN SDGs
• F. Drawing/Art: hand-drawn posters on categories A–E, for under-19s

Entry Fees

$40 per submission. There is no limit on the number of posters you can enter.

What Do Selected Entrants Receive?

• Award certificate sent by email to every selected designer
• Times Square billboard: every selected entrant can be shown at least once
• Golden winners: a trophy and larger posters in Times Square
• Online showcase: a permanent place on the POSTER FOR website

Submission Requirements

Posters are submitted through the official POSTER FOR website. Prepare a high-resolution digital file, a title and a short statement explaining your message and category.

Why Enter?

Seeing a poster on a Times Square screen is a memorable portfolio moment, and the competition's themes reward ideas as much as polish. Because many posters are selected, it suits emerging designers and students who want an international credit.

What Makes a Strong Cause Poster?

The best posters in competitions like this make one clear point and let the viewer finish the thought. A single striking image, a short line of type and a confident use of colour usually beat a crowded composition full of facts. Metaphor works well: an everyday object turned into a symbol of the issue. Typography can carry the whole idea on its own. Because selected work is shown on digital billboards, contrast and legibility at a distance matter more than fine detail, and a strong idea will survive being seen for only a few seconds.

Things to Consider

• Lead with one idea. Socially engaged posters work best with a single, sharp message.
• Design for a screen. Billboards in Times Square are digital and seen from a distance.
• Choose your category carefully. A climate poster and an SDG poster can overlap; pick the one that fits best.
• Budget for fees. At $40 per entry, focus on your strongest two or three ideas.
• Write a clear statement. Jurors judge the concept as well as the visual.

Enter the Competition

Interested in submitting your work?

Enter the competition

For the full categories, rules and entry form, visit the official POSTER FOR website.

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

Last verified: October 16, 2026